Bloomsbury Horse Hospital
Tucked behind Russell Square Underground Station is a surprising building that has survived wars and redevelopment.
The Horse Hospital was built to take care of London’s essential horses. With the advent of the motor car and lorries, the building lost its customers.
Since then the building has had a variety of users, currently (2024) as an independent arts venue and host to the Contemporary Wardrobe Collection which you can find about more on their website.
Upper Floor
The whole of the upper floor is given over to the Contemporary Wardrobe Collection, a specialist clothing hire company.
By the mannequin in the doorway can be seen the top of the ramp going back down to the front door.
Lower Floor
The lower area is used as a gallery and exhibition space. Through the doorway the horse ramp can be seen going up to the front door.
The patterns of tiles on the floor hint at the layout of the stables for the horses when it was a working hors hospital.
The Horse Ramp
The most stand out feature of the building is, of course, the horse ramp used by the horses to access the two floors.
The ramps start at the front door taking the horses to the upper and lower floors.
The upper ramp has the original hard wood slats to stop the horses slipping too far.
Upper floor to the left, front door down to the right.
Up to the upper floor.
Down to the lower floor.
Down to the lower floor
Looking up from the lower floor.
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