English Walks
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      • Walk: Clerkenwell
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      • Walk: Barnes Bridge to Fulham Palace
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Clerkenwell:
a history of rebellion

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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.






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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.
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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.
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Charterhouse


Barbican Tube station is on the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines. It is easy to get to any of the mainline stations.




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St. John's Gate, 1504

You can find dates and prices for this walk here.

History notes will be given to you at the end.

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St.Bartholomew-the-Great, the oldest church in London

Don't forget the Vocabulary! (click here)







After your walk, find the new vocabulary on the BLOG!


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Marx Memorial Library, Clerkenwell Green

Did you know?
In 1986, 14th century tunnels were discovered
in the basement of the Marx Memorial Library.

Find dates and prices for this walk here.

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King Henry VIII Gate, St. Bartholomew's Hospital
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Detail on building near St.John's Gate
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Smithfield Market
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Monument to the Great Fire of London, 1666