Walk: Clerkenwell

Clerkenwell:
a history of rebellion

The name Clerkenwell comes from 'Clerk's Well'.

During the Middle Ages, clerks (clergymen) visited the well once a year to perform religious plays.

You can see Clerk's Well through the front window of Well Court, near Clerkenwell Green.

Traditionally, this area was known for watch and clock making. Also, it was home to cabinet makers (people who use woodworking skills to create furniture) and other crafts. There are still many workshops here.

Clerkenwell was also known as 'London's Little Italy'. Many Italians lived in this area between the 1850s to the 1960s.

Archway to the oldest church in London

We meet at Angel Tube Station (on the Northern Line: Kings Cross/City branch).

We introduce ourselves over a coffee before beginning the walk.

On the walk we see:

1700s reservoirs - they carried water to London from 20 miles away.
Spa Fields - 1816 riots against parliament took place here
The Clerkenwell House of Detentions (prison)
Clerk's Well
Marx Memorial Library.
Jerusalem Passage and St.John's Square - a medieval priory.
St. John's Gate - 1504
Smithfield Market - during the Middle Ages, this area was outside the City of London walls.
St. Bartholomew's Hospital - the oldest hospital in London (1123).
St. Bartholomew-the-Great - the oldest church in London.
Charterhouse - a 1370 monastery.

Did you know?

In the 15th and 16th centuries, merchants came from all over Europe to buy the famous English broadcloth (a type of woolen cloth). Every summer they came to Cloth Fair - a maze of passageways and narrow streets where the cloth was sold.

Sekforde Arms pub, Clerkenwell, named after Thomas Sekforde, a lawyer and patron of literature. Sekforde Street and the pub were built between 1835 and 1840.

Go over the new vocabulary at the end

We finish at the Barbican where we relax over a coffee while we to go over the new vocabulary together.

Ask your teacher and guide any questions.