Bedford Square


Bedford Square is a garden square in the Bloomsbury district of the Borough of Camden in London, England.

History

Built between 1775 and 1783 as an upper middle class residential area, the square has had many distinguished residents, including Lord Eldon, one of Britain's longest serving and most celebrated Lord Chancellors, who lived in the largest house in the square for many years. The square takes its name from the main title of the Russell family, the Dukes of Bedford, who owned much of the land in what is now Bloomsbury.
The architect Thomas Leverton is known to have designed some of the houses, although he may not have been responsible for all of them.

Conservation

Bedford Square is one of the best preserved set pieces of Georgian architecture in London, but most of the houses have now been converted into offices. Numbers 1-10, 11, 12–27, 28–38 and 40–54 are grade I listed buildings.

Garden

The central garden remains private, but is opened to the public as part of the Open Garden Squares Weekend.
The square is Grade II* listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

Former occupants

, the first place for female higher education in Britain, was originally located in Bedford Square.
A number of houses have blue plaques recording famous residents:
  • — For exact location of these plaques within the square.