Area Overview

Clerkenwell as an area dates back to medieval times. The Bishop of Ely built his palace here and in the 1500s regulars included the likes of King Henry
the VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. The Bishop was well known at the time for his disputes with his neighbour, Sir Christopher Hatton (Hatton Place, Hatton Gardens). In later years the Palace fell into disrepair, but it's still here for you to see; St Etheldreda's in Ely Place is the oldest Catholic Church in the country.

In the 17th Century certain residents enhanced Clerkenwell's reputation as an area where you might want to live, Oliver Cromwell moved into Clerkenwell Green, for example. In the 19th Century Clerkenwell became a centre for craft, watch making and jewellery. It was also an area for those of a more radical thinking; Karl Marx lived just off Clerkenwell Green. Another, somewhat unfortunate boast, is that of Hiram Maxim who invented the machine gun. He lived here too, just on the corner of Hatton Gardens and Clerkenwell Road.

Some of the warehouses and workshops of yesteryear still exist, but are now accompanied by new buildings inhabited by advertising agencies, publicists and recording studios.

Stirling Ackroyd identified Clerkenwell in the early 1990s as an up and coming area for the modern age and to this day commands some of the highest prices in central London. Due to its close proximity to the City the area has proved very popular with a young affluent population, attracted to the mix of warehouses, period properties, converted office buildings and contemporary new build apartment blocks, all of which provide prime living accommodation that mixes the character of period buildings with cutting edge 21st century technology and design. The plethora of bars and restaurants enable the inhabitants to work hard and play hard.

Our Clerkenwell office covers properties in EC1, N1 and WC1: Bloomsbury, Islington, Old Street, City Road, Kings Cross, Barbican, Holborn, Chancery Lane and Blackfriars.

Eating and Drinking

Clerkenwell has a vast number of places to eat and drink. For some of our suggestions, click here

Things to do

Clerkenwell has a wide variety of things to do and see - here are a few of our favourites. click here

Keenest Streets
With the wealth of beautiful industrial conversions, Clerkenwell has no shortage of impressive properties. These are our 'Top 4' - the locations we're asked most often about.

	Warner House, 43-49 Warner Street, EC1. Apartments within this stunning conversion of a former printworks located in the heart of Clerkenwell. With their high ceilings and spacious interiors these apartments are always in demand.
The Lexington, 40-56 City Road, EC1. A fantastic example of a top of the range contemporary development, with all the luxury facilities you'd expect. Within easy walking distance to Finsbury Square and Moorgate, the location makes it as great of working in the City as it does for socialising in the numerous diversions of Clerkenwell and Shoreditch.
	Pattern House. 223-227 St John Street, EC1. Taking its name after the Ingersoll pattern factory that it occupies, this is one of the earliest loft developments in the area and one of the most iconic, regularly appearing as a TV and film location.
One Britton Street, EC1. We're always being asked about properties on Britton Street and it particular about the new build development at Number One. That's because the apartments are larger than standard and location wise, you won't get better.