by Janis / 8 comments - Orginally published:1st March 2019
So much more than a ‘well’
After our historical walk around Smithfield, we wandered seamlessly into Clerkenwell.
It appears to be a little hazy at times, where the borders of Clerkenwell start and finish. But I don’t think I’m going to get into that right now!
Wherever the boundaries are we loved our little jaunt around Clerkenwell.
Why not Pin it for later?
Where is Location?
How to get to Location
- By Tube
You are in 'Zone One' and the nearest stations are Barbican and Farringdon on the Metropolitan , Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, Angel on the Northern, or King's Cross St Pancras on the Metropolitan , Circle, Hammersmith & City ,Victoria and Northern Lines.
Don’t forget if you have a contactless bank card, or a card assigned to your phone you tap and pay with that. (For more check out the TFL site(Transport for London))
The story of Clerkenwell
Well, well, wellThere's no better place to start than the beginning, and that's at the actual "Clerk's Well" at 16 Farringdon Lane. The well this area was named after was rediscovered in 1924 and dates from the Middle Ages.
The Clerks’ Well blue plaque
There is a blue plaque on the wall, so you're able to find it; however, you can now only see it behind glass unless you have made prior arrangements to visit.
Historic London
Old Sessions HouseOpened in 1782, and formerly the Middlesex Sessions House. This striking building is located at one end of Clerkenwell Green and was once the seat of Middlesex Quarter Sessions. It served as a courthouse hearing many criminal cases from local ne’er-do-wells.
Old Sessions House from the Green
We have a little book on our shelves that we sometimes delve into when we're about to hit an area of London.
Packed full of historical facts, and broken down into the different regions of London, it's a great resource to help you see what's hidden in plain sight.
Available in Kindle & Hardback editions, it's an excellent addition to anyone's collection who loves London.
Clerkenwell Green
The quirky side of LondonJust up from Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell Green, although very little "green" is actually to be seen. This is where Charles Dickens's literary characters of The Artful Dodger and Fagin introduced Oliver Twist to the art of pick-pocketing.
The Crown Tavern
Just on the corner here is The Crown Tavern pub and history tells us that Vladimir Lenin and a young Joseph Stalin had a tête-à-tête here in 1905.
Did you know?
That Clerkenwell Green has had no grass for over 300 years.
Explore London
On LocationThe new church of St. James, which dates from 1792, dominates the skyline here. It has a delightful green area within its grounds, a play area, and a café. A lovely place to sit and watch the world go by.
St. James’s Church
Streets of London
Around here are some still very traditional old London streets that conjure up various images of days gone by. While we were strolling around Clerkenwell, there was a film crew prepping for TV series “Gangs of London”.
Discover Clerkenwell
St. John’s AmbulanceHeading over to St John’s Square, we came across an interesting archway and thought we’d pop through. Only to find a peaceful little cloister garden to the Order of St John, and dedicated to St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, which dates back to the 1880’s.
Entrance to St. John’s cloister garden
Where to stay in London
If you want to stay in close to Clerkenwell, there are plenty of choices. This can be your base to discover the east of London, the City of London, and much more besides.
There are plenty of choices, why not check out Booking.com for something that suits your requirements?
London's little treasures
St John’s GateFormerly, St. John’s Gate was the main entrance to a Grand Priory of the Order of the Hospital St John of Jerusalem, erected in 1148. It was then burnt down by Wat Tyler in 1381 (he was subsequently murdered at Smithfield).
St John’s Gate
It was rebuilt in 1504, although the gate has been restored over time and in various iterations, and very little of the stone facing is original. However, it’s still pretty impressive to see.
Tube Station Walks
We love to explore London on foot; a great way to break it into bite-sized pieces is to pick an underground station.
Why not browse our posts on tube station walks to find out what we uncovered in different districts?
Curious London
and its Street NamesI just love all the street names in London, particularly in the City of London where there are no streets named “Road”. They are often called something quirky.
Jerusalem Passage
Passing Alley
If you've yet to discover London and its ancient history, then let's start planning. I find these DK Eyewitness Travel Guides invaluable. They're extremely informative, easy to follow, and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more of those fascinating sites.
You can now grab a recently revised copy of this guidebook, so you won't miss a thing.
London Charterhouse
An ancient part of the cityNow we’re getting close to the edge of the City of London, and some may disagree whether this is Clerkenwell or Smithfield; either way, come take a look.ext
The view from Charterhouse Square
The Charterhouse is a historical set of buildings dating from 1348 and almost looks out of place to its other surroundings. Once a monastery, a private mansion and also a boy’s school (which has since relocated to Surrey), it is now home to Almshouses.
Charterhouse Tower
Charterhouse Gate
Free visit!
It’s only since January 2017 that you are now able to visit London Charterhouse, the chapel and museum are free of charge.
London on TV (Again)
Hercule PoirotIf you’re in Charterhouse Square, the beady-eyed amongst you will have noticed the beautiful lines on the Art Deco building of Florin Court. The exterior of this eye-catching structure, dating from 1936, was used for filming for 24 years as the residence of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.
Poirot’s residence
Florin Court
Explore London on foot
If you enjoy finding out a little more about London's districts, take a look at the articles we created for the different regions we've explored, all easily discovered on foot.
London's Little Italy
A hidden gem in LondonDuring the 1850s in London, the southwestern part of Clerkenwell was known as London's 'Little Italy'. There was a population of around 2,000 Italians, and in 1863, this led to a beautiful basilica-style church being built along Clerkenwell Road.
St. Peter's Italian Church
Inside St. Peter's Italian Church
St. Peter’s Italian Church may easily go unnoticed; however, take a step inside, and you’ll be amazed at the size, as the chapel runs horizontally to its façade.
Have You?
Visited any of London’s fascinating districts with so much history, we’d love to hear about them?
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Ah love this – to me Clerkenwell was just a name of a district and I knew nothing more, now I really want to go wander its streets and take it all the history and stories you’ve shared! Thanks for this great post! #FarawayFiles
I’m really please you enjoyed it, I just love strolling around the different districts of London. It’s amazing sometimes that just within a few streets how much history there is. I hope you get to go soon, Smithfield is also has some incredible history too.
It’s such a great idea to focus on one area of a big city. This is a good guide to Clerkenwell and you’ve included lots of details that I didn’t already know. A great share for #FarawayFiles as you’ve tempted me to revisit.
Thanks Clare, it’s such an interesting part of the city. So often we just wander through these districts and not quite notice the small things. I’ve certainly been guilty of that.
Love the deep dive on a specific place in London – it’s so big I love the idea of concentrating a bit more in one area. Adore the Art Deco building – almost doesn’t look like it fits here. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Yes it’s great concentrating on one area, you find out so much more. Florin Court is beautiful, if you’ve see the Poirot series it is so distinctive.
I love Clerkenwell but have yet to visit the Charterhouse. Pinned, great post. #FarawayFiles
Thanks very much, it really is an interesting part of London with the mixture of old and new.