With a name like "Cosmo Place", you might think of this particular location as being some kind of inter-galactic-themed amusement park for kids. But you couldn't be more wrong.
Cosmo Place is small, quiet and quaint - and there's not an asteroid in sight. It's actually a short pedestrianised passageway in the Holborn district of London, a stone's throw from
Russell Square Gardens.
It's the kind of place you might want to escape to if you're in or near Bloomsbury and would like to step off the crowded thoroughfares in the area for a little bit of of peace and a large portion of quiet.
If you've been pounding the streets of London all day, you'll be pleased to learn that Cosmo Place offers up a number of establishments where you can kick back with a drink or meal and watch the world go by.
There are pubs and restaurants here, so take a moment to peek inside the places before making your choice.
On one corner is a pleasantly relaxing pub called The Queen's Larder. There are a few (but not many) benches outside this ale house where you can sit with your pint - when the weather permits.
There's another drinking establishment a few doors along - The Swan. As with The Queen's Larder, this pub also makes the most of its pedestrianised position and has outdoor seating available.
Restaurants in Cosmo Place include
Cagney's, serving up a selection of American fare. Hamburgers, for example, include the the Lone Ranger (burger topped with garlic butter) for £6.35, the Messy James (burger topped with barbecue sauce) for £6.50, and the Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (burger topped with melted cheese) for £6.95. All come with fries or a baked potato, and a salad.
For those who prefer European cuisine, there's
Cosmoba, a well-established Italian restaurant. Dishes include seabass filled with herbs and cooked in a foil parcel (£15.95), and spaghetti carbonara (£7.95). They also have a number of meat dishes and there are of course meals suitable for vegetarians too.
At number 11 Cosmo Place you'll find
Cosmo China, "a collective of artists hand-decorating bone china in the heart of Bloomsbury for over twenty years." Be sure to pop in and have a look around, and even make a purchase if something catches your eye.
There's plenty to see in this part of the capital, so why not combine a visit to Cosmo Place with, for example, a trip to the
British Museum, which is just a ten-minute walk away.
