Established in 2006, Bloomsbury Festival is an annual festival of theatre, music, art, literature, science and family events takes place across Bloomsbury and Camden’s streets, parks, museums and galleries. Events are free and ticketed with prices between £3 and £25.
For 3 days this October (note there will be a month-long celebration in 2026 to mark 20 years of the festival)
Camden Guides are thrilled to partner with the festival on walking tours, find out more about our walks in coming posts, or sign up direct to see about the whole programme. https://bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/about-the-festival/
Bloomsbury Festival is going to be a lot of fun! Sign up for tickets asap!
Bloomsbury Festival – Ballad Walk of St Giles and Seven Dials
Discover dramatic stories of 17th to 19th century St Giles-in-the-Fields and the trades and printing industry of Seven Dials. Through song and ballads this walk brings first-hand experience of street life in the area during the times of Pepys and Dickens.
Singer and researcher Vivien Ellis with Camden Guides lead you through a ballad walk which provides a direct connection to the characters and stories of the past.
The ballads have been researched and gathered by Vivien with a group of volunteers and the support of the University of Cambridge Rare Books Library, British Library, Charles Dickens Museum and Camden Archives.
Approximate running time 90 mins with a short gathering at the end to discuss the walk and ballads.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival’s as part of the Strange Doings in London Heritage project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Please note: This is a 1 hour and 30 minute walk along the pavements of the surrounding area, pavements may be uneven or not have level access.
A walk that takes place on the 17th, 18th and 19th October at 11am
Tickets, https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bloomsburyfestival/1769886
Bloomsbury Festival – Ballad Walk of Dickens
The William Miller Collection of sheet music at The Charles Dickens Museum is a treasure trove of songs inspired by Dickens, his characters and stories.
Singer and researcher Vivien Ellis takes songs from this remarkable collection to bring the world of Dickens to life in the streets he knew. Starting at the museum, home to Dickens as a young writer, this walk will end at the Foundling Museum, a route Dickens regularly took.
Approximate running time 90 mins with a short gathering at the end to discuss the walk and ballads.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival’s as part of the Strange Doings in London Heritage project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Please note: This is a 1 hour and 30 minute walk along the pavements of the area, pavements may be uneven or not have level access.
A walk that takes place on the 17th, 18th and 19th October at 2.30pm
Tickets https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bloomsburyfestival/1769899
And again, the full programme of events within the Bloomsbury Festival can be found here: https://bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/about-the-festival/