Often overshadowed by Bloomsbury with the British Museum and its leafy squares, Holborn is nevertheless both historic and fascinating. Step into the neighborhood with tales of the ghost of Oliver Cromwell. Then, the stories abound about the area’s eccentrics, inventors, writers, and rogues. The residents range from an unscrupulous property developer and a cross-dressing spy to an inventor of a lethal weapon and a naked poet.

While there were some idealists living in Holborn who tried to give the neighborhood a shining reputation, really the bad behavior continues throughout - with robberies, riots and even a death sentence. Whether you’re new to town or a local, discover lesser known tales and some surprising stories about the colourful characters whose lives, work and in some cases, crimes have shaped this area.