Calamity and civility: contrasts in Clerkenwell

Charterhouse Square (outside Charterhouse), EC1M 6AN

Tranquil Clerkenwell, so close to the bustling City has a distinct character and intriguing history. Once centred around great religious houses, the area has been the scene of fierce rebellion, innovative architecture, and major commerce.

Getting there

Tube

Farringdon, Barbican

Train

Farringdon

Additional travel info

End: West Smithfield EC1A 9HY The following bus routes operate close to the start point: 153 from Moorgate to Silk Street; 341 from Waterloo to Snow Hill; 63 from Kings Cross St Pancras to Clerkenwell Road. Buses running close to the end point: 8 from Montague Street to Liverpool Street; 59 from Giltspur Street to Waterloo; 46 from St Bart's Hospital to Kings Cross St Pancras.

Facilities

Toilets
Bookshop
Accessible toilet

About

History

The tranquility of Clerkenwell belies its tumultuous history.
From burial site of many thousands of Black Death victims, to a collection of great religious houses swept away by Henry VIII, the area has known the clamour of commerce as people and beasts from all over the kingdom converged on Smithfield, and been witness to murder, plunder, and vicious execution.

Golden Key Academy

This tour is led by a participant of Open City’s Golden Key Academy – a course training up insightful and engaging guides dedicated to explaining London and bringing its many stories to life. It is part of a wider collection of tour events created by Golden Key Academy guides for the Open House Festival celebrating their conclusion of the eight month course.

Further information on the Golden Key Academy can be found here https://open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy

Nearby

Guided tour

The Charterhouse

religious, museum, historical house, community/cultural

Founded as a Black Death burial ground, the site has served as a Carthusian monastery, Tudor mansion, school and an almshouse, which it remains to this day. The Charterhouse opened to the public in 2017 with a new museum.

Henry Yevele, 1371

Walking Tour

Imagine Golden Lane at Net Zero - a walking tour

community/cultural

A walk from Barbican Underground Station via the Museum of London to Barbican and then to Golden Lane.

Chamberlin Powell & Bon, 1957

Drop in

Founders' Hall

livery hall

Begun in 1985, our fifth Hall is constructed of traditional materials in a manner which is in keeping with this historic part of the City.

Sam Lloyd, 1987

Drop in / Talk

The City Churches: The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great

religious

The oldest surviving church in the City of London founded in 1123. Originally part of an Augustinian Priory the church survived the Great Fire and the Blitz.

Unknown, 1123

Drop in / Guided tour

Museum of the Order of St John

community/cultural, museum, library

St John's Gate in Clerkenwell dates from 1504 and was built for the Knights Hospitaller. 19th and early 20th century additions by Richard Norman Shaw and John Oldrid Scott. Grade I listed. Home to the Museum of the Order of St John.

Richard Norman Shaw, 1874

Drop in

Design for Life – A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

architectural practice

Join us for a sustainability-focused open studio at Conran and Partners, award-winning architecture and interior design studio, showcasing the holistic way we integrate sustainable design practices into our work.

Guided tour

4 Bayer House

residence

Part of Golden Lane Estate which was the first public housing to be listed. A maisonette with much of the original detailing and finishes.

Chamberlin Powell & Bon, 1957

Drop in

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

art in the public realm, education, offices

Chicago Booth's London campus combines the best of old and new. Located near St. Paul's, the campus features more than 50 pieces of contemporary art and houses our Executive MBA Programme Europe, Executive Education, and conference centre.

AStudio, 2019

Drop in

Haberdashers' Hall

livery hall

Opened by the Queen in 2002 as one of the first new livery halls in the Square Mile for nearly 40 years, this is a brick building with traditional lime mortar and handsome lead roof, standing around a peaceful courtyard.

Hopkins Architects, 2002

Drop in

Outdoor exhibition celebrating the 900th anniversary of St Bartholomew’s Hospital - Life and death in the archives, 1123-2023

historical house, health, museum, community/cultural

Life and death in the archives, 1123-2023, is a unique exhibition detailing St Bartholomew’s Hospital's history and people, using photography, art and history from our archives and collections

James Gibbs, 1730

Guided tour

E.ON's Citigen energy centre

civic

Hidden behind two Listed Building facades opposite Smithfield Market, and spread across eight floors below and above ground, E.ON's Citigen energy centre produces electricity, heat and cooling to buildings across the Square Mile.