Welcome to the newsletter of Clerkenwell & Islington Guides for March, with a listing of walks and tours over the coming months, in fact the most number of walks for a single month since the start of our newsletter. It must be the improving weather, so to tempt you out to explore the history, streets and buildings of Clerkenwell and Islington, we start with:
Cultural Clerkenwell – a walking tour
Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare and Dickens and see contemporary art in London’s oldest parish church.
Since the middle-ages, when religious pageants were held on the banks of the River Fleet and entertainers performed at the annual Bartholomew’s Fair, Clerkenwell has been a part of London steeped in cultural history.
Theatre, literature, music, film, architecture, food, sculpture and visual art spanning the last 900 years are all covered as we wander the streets and alleys of this atmospheric neighbourhood.
In addition to following in the footsteps of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, along the way you’ll hear how William Morris, Agatha Christie, Vladimir Lenin, William Hogarth and Benjamin Franklin have all left their mark on Clerkenwell.
In London’s oldest parish church you’ll see a striking sculpture by one of Britain’s most controversial artists. Down hidden alleyways you’ll find out about one of London’s great 17th-century theatres, a pioneering architectural partnership and an unsung champion of classical music. You’ll also see why this historic area has been a location for some of Hollywood’s biggest movies. And you’ll get the chance to see close-up the site that gave Clerkenwell its name.
The tour lasts about 2 hours. It starts outside Barbican underground station (Hammersmith & City line) and ends at Farringdon station.
This walk takes place on the 8th of March, and can be booked by clicking here.
Groundbreaking Women of Islington
This brand new London On The Ground walk in the Angel area tells the stories of groundbreaking women of Islington that changed the course of history. It will have its first outing on 8 March 2025, International Women’s Day. (London On The Ground’s ‘Groundbreaking Women in the City’ tour will take place a week earlier, on 1 March at the start of Women’s History Month.)
Feedback on London On The Ground’s ‘Groundbreaking Women in the City’ tour:
“We really enjoyed the walk. It would be really fun to be able to do this again!”
“Really fun afternoon (and I learnt stuff).”
The new walk includes women from the 16th to the 21st centuries, who made significant contributions to philanthropy, politics, literature, sport, leisure, community activities, music, film, theatre and the arts. See where they drew their inspiration from Islington and where they left their mark on the area.
The walk lasts approximately two hours. Please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: Outside the entrance to Sadlers Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN
Finish: A short walk from Highbury & Islington tube station
Feedback on London On The Ground’s other tours in the Angel area:
“A great afternoon visiting a part of Islington I thought I knew but found out more and more about!”
“….wonderful tour of Angel …very impressed by your extensive knowledge.”
“…a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, the tour was brilliantly structured and Jonathan’s narrative flowed beautifully – hugely informative and very entertaining.”
This walk takes place on the 8th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
A Road to Ruin Walking Tour
This is the perfect guided walk for those with a keen interest in history, London and alcohol. The walk ventures through Clerkenwell, historically an area of gin and beer production.
Explore the past and uncover the relationship between different classes in London and what this meant for the alcohol they were able to drink.
This walk takes place on the 9th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Up and Down Upper Street
Islington, now the most densely populated London borough, was for centuries famed for its pastures, dairies, fresh water wells and pleasure gardens. Today, this inner urban borough offers an eclectic range of modern shops, restaurants, theatres, pubs and cafes, but its history remains there, hidden in plain sight.
“Jonathan’s narrative flowed beautifully – hugely informative and very entertaining.”
At the heart of Islington is Upper Street, the borough’s main road and once part of the main route for drovers bringing livestock into Smithfield Market in the City of London. Islington comprised Upper Street, Essex Road (formerly Lower Street/Lower Road) and a lot of fields until the 18th century.
The gateway to Upper Street is Angel, a name which has come to denote this whole quarter.
• Learn how the tube station, and the area, got its name.
• Hear echoes of forgotten tramways, waterways and cattle droving routes.
• See the church that distils Islington’s history in a single building; and two contrasting theatres.
• Find out about Islington’s takeover of the former borough of Finsbury.
• Discover a hidden garden most locals don’t even know; and Upper Street’s newest public space.
The walk lasts approximately two hours. Please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: Outside Angel tube station, Islington High Street, N1 8XX.
Finish: a short walk from Highbury & Islington tube station.
“…wonderful tour of Angel… very impressed by your extensive knowledge.”
“…a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, the tour was brilliantly structured.”
This walk takes place on the 15th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Oliver Twist Walk
Victorian London was a dangerous place especially after dark, with highwaymen and other scoundrel’s waiting to pounce on anyone crossing their path.
Imagine stepping back in time to 1837, when London was a bustling city and not so different from today’s metropolis. You see people walking down the street with their heads held high as they go about business; no one would be talking on their phones, perhaps chatting amicably among friends or family members catching up after being apart for awhile… But what would your Victorian life look like? How could you fit into this Age of Improvement which is so unlike ours here today? Would YOU survive?
Highwaymen roamed the roads exiting Victorian London, ready to pounce on anyone who crossed their path. A dark and dangerous place at night with Highway men waiting in the shadows just looking for an opportunity make off with your valuables or even kill you if they had no intention of taking anything from you alive.
This Oliver Twist walking tour follows the footsteps of Oliver Twist and Artful Dodger as they make their way through London to reach Fagin’s lair, just like in Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist.”
You can’t be too stealthy in London, especially if you want to avoid being caught by the police. The Artful Dodger and Oliver would have needed this skill when they headed into Fagin’s lair at night time.
– Authentic different tour
– Discover 1837 London
– Qualified guide
– Suitable for all age groups. Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult.
– Start: Angel Tube Station | End: Farringdon Station
This walk takes place on the 15th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
St Mary Islington – Church and Tower tour
St Mary’s, Islington on Upper Street has played a central role in the history of Islington for a thousand years. During this time several different churches have stood on the site, leaving an eclectic range of architectural styles.
On this 90-minute guided tour you’ll learn about the 12th-century Norman church and its 15th-century medieval successor. In the 18th century it was completely rebuilt, lasting until 1940 when St Mary’s became the first London church to be destroyed in World War II. Only the tower and steeple survived the bomb; the main body of the church was rebuilt in 1956, a fascinating example of post-war reconstruction and design.
As well as providing a glimpse into the history of St Mary’s and how it has influenced Islington today, you’ll also have the opportunity to climb the 120 steps to the top of tower, giving you a bird’s-eye view over London.
Reviews of this tour
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The guided tour of St Mary’s, Upper Street, Islington was fascinating and the view from the top of the tower was very special indeed.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “An excellent informative tour of St Mary’s Church. We had a great trip up the church tower with fabulous views over London. But we were also entertained with an interesting history of the church and its site – despite living very locally for over 30 years it is amazing what you miss on your doorstep!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Great tour of St Mary’s Islington – a very beautiful church with lots of history. The best bit though was the opportunity to climb up the tower for a fantastic view. Highly recommended.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A very interesting 90 minutes. Guide friendly, well-prepared, informative and easy to listen to. Getting to the top of the 18th-century church tower is the highlight.”
This tour takes place on the 15th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Ribaldry, Radicals & Reform – a guided tour of North Clerkenwell & Pentonville
The tour will span over 400yrs of history including: the origins of one of the country’s oldest theatres; an engineering wonder from the Elizabethan times; the site of what was once Britain’s most notorious prison; a Victorian scandal; the open spaces that were once home to spas, pleasure gardens and occasionally protest & insurrection; the building that pioneered the NHS, the stories of famous authors, illustrators and the scene of a Hollywood blockbuster!
Review:
“Andy was a brilliant tour guide. I think the best l’ve ever listened to and l’ve attended a lot of tours both in London and abroad. Andy is a very good story teller and he brought the area of North Clerkenwell alive. He remembered so many names and facts without notes and answered any questions thrown at him cheerfully. I would definitely recommend. Thank you.”
This walk takes place on the 20th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Caledonian Clock Tower
Climb 178 steps to the top of the Caledonian Market Clock Tower for fabulous panoramic views across London. On the way up you’ll learn about the history of the market and the
area from our experienced and knowledgeable Islington Guides and get close-up views of the turret clock in action.
Two tours up the Caledonian Market Clock Tower are available on the 22nd of March, which can be booked by clicking here, and here.
Introduction to Islington’s history: A Highbury to Angel Guided Walk
When you visit Islington today, it’s hard to believe that this charming, vibrant neighborhood was once known as “Cow Town,” a bustling dairy hub with muddy streets that later turned into a slum.
Our walk kicks off where local history began 1,000 years ago, and we’ll explore a fantastic blend of busy places and quiet spaces: a Tudor holiday destination, a radical church, famous residents, an iconic pub, music legends, and even a “river.”
Join me on this fun-filled walking tour as we uncover layers of history from medieval times through the turbulent Tudor era, the Victorian Industrial Revolution, World War II, and the punk rock days.
The tour starts outside Highbury & Islington tube station, lasts around 2 hours, and finishes near Angel station.
This walk takes place on the 23rd of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Georgian London Walking Tour
Step back in time to when this area had a wild reputation! Discover how it transformed from a place to avoid to a sought-after postcode. Explore Georgian North Clerkenwell, uncovering tales of radicals and entertainers, and marvel at stunning Georgian engineering where the Georgians came to play and revel.
This walk takes place on the 23rd of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Islington’s Big Screens – a cinematic walking tour
A stroll through more than 100 years of Islington cinema-going; all between Angel and Essex Road stations. We’ll encounter Victorian showmen, architectural wonders and tales of bad behaviour in the stalls. Come to discover hidden gems and hear what a night ‘at the flicks’ was like decades before multiplexes.
In addition to such landmarks as the Screen on the Green, you’ll see some buildings that were once cinemas as well as a few intriguing places where all trace of their cinematic past has vanished.
The walk lasts about 2 hours, starts at Angel station and ends near Essex Road station.
This walk takes place on the 26th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Smithfield & Clerkenwell (Part 1): Inspiring Tales of Rebellion and Heroism
Every day, as we walk through the streets of London, we pass by countless pieces of street furniture and details: memorials, murals, buildings, squares, statues, plaques, pubs, and more. They often go unnoticed, or we just take their existence for granted. But behind most of these, there are amazing stories of major historic events that have shaped Britain as a nation.
I’m Nurit, an Islington & Clerkenwell qualified guide. Join me on a walk that explores a thousand years of historic places, events, and the extraordinary people behind them. We’ll dive into their hopes, dreams, and the lengths they went to fight for them, sometimes even sacrificing their lives.
We’ll also discover the animals that have played a key role in the area’s development since medieval times, both feeding London and nourishing its culture.
We’ll end the tour near a local pub for a drink and a chat (optional), to celebrate life and the freedoms we enjoy today, thanks to those who came before us.
This walk takes place on the 29th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Monasteries, Martyrs, Murder & Meat
London has a long and dark history of martyrs, public executions, body snatchers, crime and punishment – and butchery.
“Fascinating and fabulous. Recommend for both London locals and visitors. Do it, you’ll love it.”
“Very enjoyable…, good pace, very informative, will definitely be back.”
Hear tales of hangings and burnings; grave robbers and law enforcement; and the annual fair that became so riotous it was banned after 700 years. Discover medieval monasteries, the country’s oldest hospital and the City of London’s oldest house. See London’s most famous courthouse, on the site of its most notorious former prison.
The walk lasts approximately two hours. Please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: St Paul’s tube station, Exit 2 (signed to St Paul’s Cathedral)
Finish: Charterhouse Square (nearest tubes: Barbican, Farringdon)
“Another wonderful walk with the excellent – and highly recommended… Fantastic stuff.”
“Fantastic, so interesting, highly recommend these walks.”
“Jonathan brought the history of the City to life in an informative and entertaining way.”
This walk takes place on the 30th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Eclectic Clerkenwell
Monks, nuns, courthouses, rookeries, radicals, distillers, pubs, crafts, trades and architecture!
“…a great tour… Immensely enjoyable and packed with fascinating details”
On this circular walk from/to Farringdon Station, now one of the best connected stations in all of London, you will:
• Learn about Clerkenwell’s Norman and medieval monastic heritage.
• Discover Clerkenwell’s tradition for radicalism, dissent and protest.
• Understand its growth from rural monastic quarter to the first area to be swallowed up by creeping urbanisation.
• Hear about Clerkenwell’s history as a centre for makers of clocks, watches, jewellery and furniture; for brewers and distillers; and for crime and vice.
• See the sites of the historic court houses of the lost county of Middlesex.
• Admire architecture from the 16th to the 21st centuries in this attractive village-like area.
• Have a rare opportunity to see the Clerk’s Well that gave the area its name.
“Thanks for a great walk.”
“a very enjoyable walk with Jonathan around Clerkenwell”
“enjoyed the informative dialogue and the hidden places visited”
The walk lasts approximately two hours. Please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: Farringdon Station forecourt (opposite Castle pub, Cowcross Street/Turnmill Street)
Finish: Farringdon Station
This walk takes place on the 30th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
The calendar of walks, tours and events on our website is constantly updated throughout the month, and can be reached by clicking here.
Our next newsletter will be on the first Sunday in April.
You must be logged in to post a comment.