Designed by Leslie Green, the station opened in 1906 and is now a Grade II-listed building. It has lifts and a spiral staircase with 175 steps, but no escalators.

Near to the station are The Charles Dickens Museum, The Grant Museum of Zoology and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Russell Square itself is a large garden square. Nearby is a small memorial plaque and young oak tree commemorating the victims of the London bus bombing of 7 July 2005.