Clerkenwell, London Guide – Best of the Area & Map
One of my favorite things about London is that each part of the city has its own distinct identity. Going from one area to another feels like traveling to a completely different place. One area I love in the UK capital is Clerkenwell. This part of central London is known for everything from cool design to hidden restaurants, pretty streets, and small museums. I’ve spent years discovering it and today I want to share my go-to places with you. Read on for my guide to the best of the neighborhood. I’ve included an interactive map, too.
Clerkenwell, London
Clerkenwell is a great local area in London. Surrounded by King’s Cross, Angel, Barnsbury, Bloomsbury, Smithfield, Holborn, and the Barbican, the neighborhood is home to leafy squares, famous streets, fun pubs and restaurants, and unique cultural highlights.
Clerkenwell began its life as a parish in the medieval period. The area was named after the historic “Clerks’ Well” near the Nunnery of St. Mary. Today it forms the southwestern part of the London Borough of Islington.
Whether you want to check out London’s restaurant scene, go to a local museum, or find a famous market, this part of the city has something for you. If you’d like to get to know the area with an experienced local, you can book a guided tour here.
How to Get Here
If you want to explore Clerkenwell, it’s easy to get here. Farringdon station is on multiple lines of the London Underground, not to mention the Elizabeth line and mainline rail. Barbican, Angel, and King’s Cross stations are all nearby, too.
The neighborhood is also served by local buses, which can get you as close to the part of the neighborhood you’re aiming for as possible.
You can also arrive on foot, by bike, or by scooter from the surrounding areas and popular places like Shoreditch, the City of London, and Islington.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay in Clerkenwell, there are plenty of places to call home-away-from-home in this part of London. From famous hotels to apartment rentals, there’s accommodation for every travel style and preference.
My top pick for a hotel in Clerkenwell is The Rookery. This Georgian boutique hotel is in a great location near Farringdon station, and it’s one of my favorite quirky hotels in London. You can book a room here.
You can see a variety of other options and book one here as well. If you’re interested in staying in a pub while you’re in town, check out my blog post about the best pubs with rooms in London. It has a good one for you.
Streets and Squares
A great way to start a visit to Clerkenwell is by walking around the area’s famous streets. From ones packed with award-winning restaurants to local numbers with great shops and pubs, you’re spoiled for choice in this part of London.
St John Street my favorite. The southern end of this road is home to the iconic St John restaurant. It pioneered the “nose-to-tail” dining concept. You’ll find all kinds of other places to eat and drink here, too.
Another of my favorites in Clerkenwell is Amwell Street. This local number is not only packed with independent pubs and shops, but also surrounded by pretty side streets and squares that are ripe for discovering.
Also worth a mention is Roseberry Avenue. This road is where you’ll find Sadler’s Wells, a famous theater that’s known for dance performances.
Cowcross Street is another favorite. Not only will you find The Rookery here, but also historic pubs and modern restaurants and cafes.
As far as squares go, it’s hard to beat Claremont Square for movie stardom. Just off Amwell Street, a house here stood in for 12 Grimmauld Place, the headquarters of the Order of Phoenix, in the movies Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
Exmouth Market
Technically a street, the pedestrianized Exmouth Market deserves its own section in my Clerkenwell guide. This place is famous for food, and you’ll find no shortage of amazing restaurants here. Whether you’re looking for pizza or pub fare, you can find it.
Pubs
Speaking of pub fare, Clerkenwell is home to a number of notable watering holes. From historic ones to pioneering numbers, there are a lot to get excited about in this part of central London. You can even take a guided pub tour of the area.
The Fox and Anchor is one of my favorites for atmosphere. Just off Charterhouse Square, it features a narrow front room with a long bar, lots of dark wood, and plenty of beautiful Victorian details. There are rooms you can stay in, too. You can book one here.
Another of the most noteworthy pubs in Clerkenwell is The Eagle. This place is known for being the UK’s first gastropub. Back in 1991, it started serving good food instead of the usual uninspiring pub fare. It sparked a culinary revolution that most of us now take for granted.
Right by Farringdon station, The Castle is another of the area’s most popular pubs. This Grade II-listed spot is said to have been granted the right to trade as a pawnbroker by King George IV. You can even see the three gold balls of the trade on the building’s facade.
Museums
As far as museums go, this part of the UK capital has a number of intriguing ones. From cultural institutions of historic importance to galleries of modern popularity, there’s a range to choose from.
The most notable is the Museum of the Order of Saint John. Set back under a historic stone archway called St John’s Gate, this place tells the story of the ancient religious military order from the 11th century to today. The museum’s garden is worth a special trip, too.
Another museum is the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. As the name implies, this place celebrates art that communicates stories and ideas.
A third is The London Archives. This free public archive focuses on the history of London from 1067 to the present day. It’s the principal local government archive repository for the Greater London area.
The Postal Museum is also in Clerkenwell. This place is dedicated to Britain’s Royal Mail heritage. It features interactive exhibits and a ride that takes passengers on a secret underground railway.
Not quite a museum, the Clerkenwell Catacombs (officially named the House of Detention) is another unusual place in the area. This huge subterranean space is home to what remains of a notorious 19th-century prison.
Closed to the public since the late 1990s, it’s been used as a filming location for everything from Sherlock Holmes to The Dark Knight and Luther. The warren of brick tunnels and cells occasionally opens for viewings during the annual Clerkenwell Design Week.
Side Streets
One of my favorite things to do in Clerkenwell is explore the side streets. From hidden mews to pretty lanes, there are a lot of them in this part of London.
The streets around Percy Circus are home to some of the most beautiful houses and colorful doors in London. From Prideaux Place to Cumberland Gardens and Lloyd Square, there’s a lot to love around here.
I also like wandering around Myddelton Square, Wilmington Square, and Northampton Square. These peaceful places are lined with attractive houses and offer great photo opportunities.
Parks & Gardens
As far as green spaces go, Clerkenwell has its share of small ones dotted throughout the neighborhood. From parks to squares and gardens, there are a lot to explore.
Spa Fields is one of the larger green spaces in the area. This park is a pleasant place for a wander. It’s popular with locals who come here on their lunch breaks.
Other notable ones include Spa Green Garden near Sadler’s Wells and St James’ Church Garden. Both are peaceful spots to soak up the local atmosphere.
Nearby Areas
There are other places that are worth seeing while you’re in the area, too. From Smithfield, with its stunning Charterhouse and historic Church of St Bartholomew the Great, to Bleeding Heart Yard and Leather Lane Market in Holborn, there’s a lot to discover.
Walk
If you want to see more of this part of central London, you can go on my free self-guided Clerkenwell walking tour. It will take you around the famous streets and local lanes as it shows you the best of the area.
Clerkenwell Map
If you’d like to get your bearings, you can find an interactive Google map of Clerkenwell here. It has all the places I mentioned in this blog post on it. It can help you get a feel for where things are in the neighborhood so you can make the most of your time here.
Clerkenwell
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Clerkenwell. It’s one of my favorite places to explore in central London, and I’m sure you’ll find as much to love about it as I have. If you found this post helpful, buy me a coffee!
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