LOCATION Clerkenwell is a thriving area filled with luxury apartments and lofts converted from a bygone age of breweries, gin distilleries, printing works and clock and watch makers. Since 1996, when Hurford Salvi Carr was the first Estate Agent to open an office in the area, Clerkenwell has transformed into a creative and fashionable hub of London. Artists, designers, architects, writers and publishers moved into the area, followed almost immediately by property developers and good restaurants. The area stretches from the Angel to the north to Smithfield Market to the south and from Hatton Garden across to Old Street.

HISTORY Clerkenwell is steeped in history. Mentioned by Fitzstephen as early as 1174, Clerkenwell takes its name from the Clerk’s Well which was the scene of medieval miracle plays performed by the Parish Clerks of London. The area developed around the Nunnery of St Mary and the Priory of St John of Jerusalem. Many street names have ‘St John’ in them. In the 17th Century, Oliver Cromwell lived here and it was a popular place to visit for its spas, tea gardens and theatres. Charles Dickens knew the area well and uses Clerkenwell Green as the setting for the famous ‘pick a pocket or two’ scene in ‘Oliver Twist’.

While exiled in London 1902-03, Lenin edited and printed his underground newspaper ‘The Spark’ from his office in Clerkenwell Green. This is now the Marx Memorial Library. The headquarters of ‘The Guardian’ and ‘The Observer’ were on Farringdon Road until 2008 when they moved to Kings Cross. Smithfield Market has bought and sold meat for over 800 years making it one of the oldest markets in London. There are a number of traditional pubs, close by and, those of which serve Smithfield Market meat workers are allowed to open their doors at 6.00am. Bunhill Fields, the local cemetery, is the final resting place of some of England’s most famous people such as the poet William Blake and author, Daniel Defoe who wrote “Robinson Crusoe”.

TUBE AND RAIL – Farringdon Station, is the only station in Clerkenwell itself and provides rail and tube services. However, King’s Cross St Pancras International is just one stop from Farringdon giving access to underground lines, rail services to the UK and Europe. The Angel, Chancery Lane and Barbican stations are also close by.