Clerkenwell is a central London location, conveniently sandwiched inbetween three boroughs: the City, Islington and Camden, whilst the West End is a brisk 10 minute walk away. Its central location makes it a popular residential and commercial area and its known for its abundance of restaurants, bars, and gastro-pubs.
Getting into and out of Clerkenwell is a cinch, with the Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, and Metropolitan tube lines all running through both Farringdon and Barbican stations, as well as the Northern Line going through Angel station. In addition, a trip to the coast is just an hour away on the Thameslink line from Farringdon, and the proposed Crossrail line will bisect London from East to West in a few years. Nearby Kingscross provides access to Heathrow and France, and in the other directions, Farringdon has a direct line to Luton Airport, and nearby Liverpool Street will get you out to Stanstead.
Apart from its vibrancy, the quaint centre of Clerkenwell is known as Clerkenwell Green, and just off the green is Clerkenwell Close. Clerkenwell Close is a mixture of home-owners, private and social housing tenants, alongside numerous businesses, which give this eclectic part of the community its charming and artistic feel.
Clerkenwell's village roots can still be felt. The Green is mentioned in Charles Dickens' story of Oliver Twist, and Dickens certainly knew the area well.
The Green has a interesting history as the site of radicalism - Vladimir Lenin published the political newspaper 'Iskra' here. It may have been where Lenin met Stalin in the local Crown Tavern. The Green was certainly the site of many Communist Party meetings where the Marx Memorial Library now stands. Nowadays, albeit less radical, The May Day Parade starts off from The Green, and you'll probably catch a glimpse of the likes of Tony Ben MP supping a pint on May 1st every year outside the Crown Tavern.
Clerkenwell is named after the ancient Clerks' Well which once served the area in Farringdon Lane. The ancient well was the location for annual mystery plays performed by the London Parish Clerks during the Middle Ages. Remains of the well can still be seen through a window of the much newer building called Well Court, which now occupies the site.
Clerkenwell was the headquarters for the monastic Knights Hospitallers of St John, who provided medical aid during the Crusades. The surviving St John's Gate forms part of the Priory Gate, which still stands in St John's Square. The gatehouse is now used as the headquarters of the voluntary St John Ambulance Association, an organisation descended from the Knights Hospitallers.
During the 17th century, Clerkenwell became a fashionable spot for spas, theatres and tea gardens around the residences. Oliver Cromwell is known to have lived here and the current day Sadler's Wells Theatre takes its name from an ancient spa.
During the Industrial Revolution breweries, distilleries and printing businesses set up in the area along with workshops producing jewellery and watch-making. Witherby's, England's oldest printers, is still in business in Clerkenwell today.
Clerkenwell in its history has had setllers from Italy, and even further back, the French Huguenots.
Industrial decline affected Clerkenwell after World War II but it has now recovered and is a sought-after area for business offices and housing for young professionals. One of London's finest pubs, the Jerusalem Tavern still stands in Clerkenwell on the site of a medieval tavern. Many pubs still surround Smithfield Meat Market including the newer Gastropubs which compete with the many fine restaurants in the area. 'Fabric' is one of London's biggest nightclubs and many revellers frequent the nearby bars or gather each night on the north side of Smithfield Market.