Clerkenwell

Clerkenwell, including Finsbury

Clerkenwell is a hotbed of creativity and claims to have more architects and creative businesses per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

It is also steeped in history and as a result, offers a spectrum of architectural gems spanning several eras. Not all of these are historical, and the area has a particularly fine array of loft-style apartments.

With the new Elizabeth Line open, the area has become one of the best connected in the capital.

Types of residential property in Clerkenwell and Finsbury

The area is home to several Georgian garden squares, the largest of which, Myddelton Square, dates back to 1822. To the north of Myddelton Square is one of the most striking buildings in the area, New River Head, which was originally the home of the Metropolitan Water Board. To this day, you cannot help but notice Finsbury and Clerkenwell’s past links to the water board with buildings such as The Laboratory and The Nautilus Building, and parks such as Spa Green Gardens.

Clerkenwell was one of the first areas in London to embrace loft and warehouse-style conversions, and there are a number of these stylish developments, as well as several new builds, dotted around the area.

Location and transport links

Clerkenwell is on the doorstep of the City and close to Islington, Shoreditch, Holborn and the West End.

With the long-awaited Elizabeth Line open, Farringdon Station in Clerkenwell has become one of the best-connected stations in London. The Elizabeth Line offers super-fast trains across London including to Liverpool Street (two minutes), Tottenham Court Road (two minutes), Bond Street (four minutes), Paddington (eight minutes), Canary Wharf (eight minutes) and Heathrow (31 minutes).

Farringdon Station is also served by the Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, as well as Thameslink. 

Eating out and entertainment

Clerkenwell is home to some incredible pubs, bars and restaurants, but locals know that if you want a real treat you should head to one of its celebrated street food markets, Exmouth Market, Whitecross Street or Leather Lane, where you are guaranteed to pick up a delicious meal for a bargain price.   

The nearby Barbican Centre is world-class arts and learning centre covering all the major areas of the arts including theatre, dance, film and music, and is the largest centre of its kind in Europe.

Each year Clerkenwell becomes the hub of the design industry when it hosts Clerkenwell Design Week. This is the UK’s leading design festival, attracting people from all over the world and generating an incredible buzz in the local streets, pubs, bars and restaurants. 

No less renowned on an international scale are Hatton Garden (which offers diamonds and jewellery from all corners of the globe), and Sadler’s Wells Theatre (one of the world’s leading performing arts and dance venues).

Green space and activities

Charterhouse Square is a beautiful garden square adjoining the historic London Charterhouse, which is mostly formed of Tudor and Stuart architecture restored after the Blitz. The churchyard of St James’s Church on Clerkenwell Green is a lovely peaceful place to sit during the day, especially in the summer months, as too is the lakeside of the Barbican Centre.   

There are a number of local gyms and fitness centres, including Golden Lane Sports & Fitness, which includes a swimming pool.

Schools

There are several local primary schools in the area, including the City of London Primary Academy, which is rated by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’. Local secondary schools include the Central Foundation Boys’ School, which is also rated as ‘outstanding’.