Bloomsbury

We walk from Holborn across Bloomsbury Square, which was developed by the 4th Earl of Southampton in the late 17th century and one of the earliest in London. The Earl's own house, pictured (I think), then known as Southampton House and later Bedford House after the square and the rest of the Bloomsbury Estate passed by marriage from the Earls of Southampton to the Dukes of Bedford, occupied the whole of the north side of the square. The other sides lined with typical terraced houses of the time, which were initially occupied by members of the aristocracy and gentry.

By the early 19th century, Bloomsbury was no longer fashionable with the upper classes. Consequently the Duke of Bedford of the day moved out of Bedford House, which was demolished and replaced with further terraced houses. In the 19th century the square was occupied mainly by middle class professionals. The writer Isaac D'Israeli lived at No. 6 from 1817 to 1829 and for part of that time his son, the future Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli lived with him. In the 20th century most of the buildings came to be used as offices.

Today the area captures a totally different vibe then the rest of modern London. It's hard not to imagine coal fires, Dickens or chimney sweeps. The brownstones dark from age and traffic pollution which fits their mood - old, and left behind yet totally compelling. This is where London began to modernise and the square a big part of it - imagine a million people together without modern sewage? A bit of space must have been heaven sent for those who could afford such luxury.