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Original poster

Londoners/anyone - help! How feasible and easy is it to walk between the British Library

62 replies

theduchessstill · 30/09/2018 21:34

For reasons not really understood by me I have been landed with running a school trip to London. They will be visiting the British Library and need somewhere to go reasonably nearby where they can have free time and 'a sense of London'. Covent Garden has been suggested as being a 20 minute walk away, but I can't work out whether it's an easy 20 minutes or endless twists and turns.

If anyone can help I'll be eternally grateful.

OP posts:
Original poster
theduchessstill · 30/09/2018 21:35

Oh FFS - title should say between BL and Covent Garden - sorry!

OP posts:
NashvilleQueen · 30/09/2018 21:39

Id say it would take more than 20 mins with a group of school children. But they’re both on the Piccadilly line and that would take a few mins.

FernetBranca · 30/09/2018 21:41

It’s no distance. I just checked and my map says 13 mins walking time. It might be a bit twisty - London is - but it’s via Bloomsbury which is lovely and interesting. Easy peasy and nice - go for it. And Covent Garden is a v good choice for students/school children. My 14 yo DD who is a proper Londoner was just saying this morning that she would like a visit there in the next couple of weeks.

Blueroses99 · 30/09/2018 21:42

Google maps reckons it’s 32 minute walk. It’s fairly straightforward, mostly along a very long but not particularly interesting road, turning off at Holborn. It’s 4 stops on the Piccadilly Line, Kings Cross to Covent Garden, or lots of buses run from Euston down to Holborn, so the walk will be much shorter - if either of those options are a possibility? How old are the children and how many will there be?

topsyanddim · 30/09/2018 21:43

Google maps will help you see the route - you sound quite nervous about this though!

NashvilleQueen · 30/09/2018 21:44

No way could you do it in 13 mins. Even without a gang of children

rebelworld · 30/09/2018 21:44

It’s a good half hour walk.

Absolutely no way is it 13 mins!

Blueroses99 · 30/09/2018 21:44

@FernetBranca are you sure? My map says 13 minutes on the Piccadilly line not by walking!

leghoul · 30/09/2018 21:45

How old are they? I am assuming teens?
Covent Garden is about a20minute walk from the library. Straight down the road really then turn off. They are busy roads - I'd opt to go a quieter route (canpost one here) - there are other things nearer to library that may be more interesting - Charles Dickens House, the foundling museum, Lincoln's inn and the royal college of surgeons Hunterian museum or Sir John Soanes museum, the area around Russell Square and the British museum..

3littlerabbits · 30/09/2018 21:45

I would say far too far with a group of kids. Get the tube or bus.

Davros · 30/09/2018 21:45

Camden Town would be easier or st Pancras and Kings X

AmIAWeed · 30/09/2018 21:46

Why bother with covent garden when kings cross is right near the British library and has been renovated? It is a fab destination with plenty of eateries

topsyanddim · 30/09/2018 21:46

British Library or British Museum? Library is a 30 minute walk and museum 13m.

HermioneWeasley · 30/09/2018 21:46

BL to Covent Garden would be a 40 minute walk with kids, I’d have thought. The foundling museum isn’t too far from the BL and near a park - that might be easier?

Original poster
theduchessstill · 30/09/2018 21:46

Thank you for replies - albeit conflicting ones Grin. There will be 40 odd kids aged 15-18, but not been to the capital before. the original idea was for half to do the BL and the other half CG and then switch over, but I'm thinking they're too far apart for that and w should stick together. Does anyone know of there is anything nice nearer the BL they could go to - seems to me it's in a fairly dull area...

OP posts:
NashvilleQueen · 30/09/2018 21:46

My google maps says 40 mins on foot.

HermioneWeasley · 30/09/2018 21:46

Ah yes, British museum is much closer to Covent Garden

Womaningreen · 30/09/2018 21:47

Just stay in the local area.

leghoul · 30/09/2018 21:47

Actually 30 minutes walk is more accurate. I regularly walk from CG to Russell Square in 10 or so but use back streets and walk fast.

Processedpea · 30/09/2018 21:47

Russell sq ? Or corams fields ? Maybe British museum ?

3littlerabbits · 30/09/2018 21:48

British museum to Covent Garden would be fine to walk.

Original poster
theduchessstill · 30/09/2018 21:49

This is so helpful thank you. It's the BL, not the museum. The nearby museums sound great, but they have been promised some free time ... Kingscross sounds ideal - will have a Google.

I am nervous, but excited too. Will be very very happy when it's over Grin.

OP posts:
leghoul · 30/09/2018 21:50

They've really renovated kings cross as an area. If they want to just chill out it's nice but also plenty to do. I'd probably head down to somewhere near Russell Square and do something with half. There are also things slightly north of thelibrary near the river that are nice.

Do you want another activity/place to go or would you rather just an open space?

Davros · 30/09/2018 21:51

Definitely St Pancras (Harry Potter station) which you have to walk through from the BL to get to Kings X, go to the newly developed area at the back of Kings X, Granary Square etc

Processedpea · 30/09/2018 21:52

If they're little would probably like corams fields but call them to let them know