Link to the Show / Show NotesThis walk starts at Angel Underground station onthe Bank branch of the Northern Line in Zone 1. Angel can be reached bytaking the Central Line and changing at Bank.
Clerkenwellis a former monastic settlement. The land was originally donated to theOrder of St John of Jerusalem in 1140. Clerkenwell is a mixed areawhere ancient buildings, Georgian houses, and loft apartments occupiedby media professionals jostle together with wine bars, office blocks,converted warehouses and workshops.
The areais full of history. Once a den of thieves, robbers and pickpockets,with the highest murder rate in London during the 19th century, it isnow firmly on the road to 'gentrification' albeit that the mixedcharacter of the streets will never have the cohesion and grace ofKensington, belgravia, Mayfair or Chelsea.
TheNorthernmost part of the walk passes the New River and reservoirs usedto supply London from Hertfordshire. We then pass Sadler's WellsTheatre before passing Spa Fields where a riot of parliamentaryreformers took place in 1816.
In thefascinating church of St James we see the memorials to the martyrsburned at the stake in Smithfield between 1400 and 1558. After that, weenter on Priory lands just past Clerkenwell Green. We see theheadquarters of the Order of St John. The St John's Gate Museum is free, and there are guided tours of the Priory Church and the area.
The walk continues through the Smithfield Meat Market to St Bartholomew's Hospital. The gem of this walk is the oldest church in London, St Bartholomew the Great. Don't miss this - if it's not open, go back there when it is.
Finallywe walk round Charterhouse Square, and finish at Barbican Underground(Zone 1 on the Hammersmith & City and Circle Lines).
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