Coleman Street heads south from a pedestiran entrance on London Wall and the Barbican, running behind the impressive frontages of moorgate. With a number of historic gems throughout various pockets in the neighbourhood, it is surely worth a visit. If wandering up from its southern junction with Gresham street, take care not to miss the alleyway to your right called Mason’s Avenue. After walking through there, you’ll find that on your left sits the Old Doctor Butler’s Head, housing an original Victorian interior which features authentic gas lighting. Further down Coleman Street you’ll encounter a row of trendy eateries like Coco di mama, specialising in Italian pasta and coffee. Further east, on Moorgate Street, sits the ABC and Europe Arab Banks. The latter is housed in a grandiose Flemish Gothic style building. Another example of gothic architecture close by is the Guildhall – home to the influential City of London Corporation. After a stroll through the neighbourhood, you can further experience this area’s rich history by booking a tour at the Armourer’s Hall, or by checking out the publicly displayed Ritual sculpture (1968-69) by Antanas Brazdyz.

The Armourers Hall has proven itself a resilient establishment. It has occupied the site since 1322, initially serving as a social and religious meeting place for local craftsmen. Having received a Royal Charter in 1453, the Guild assumed the role of overseeing and regulating the arms trade. In 1666, when most of the City was reduced to ashes, the Armourers Hall remained largely unscathed. In 1708, Queen Anne extended their charter to the Brasiers (coppersmiths), thus merging them with the Armourers. During the Blitz the surrounding area was devastated but the Hall remained intact. The area also stood at the epicentre of the sparks which ignited the First English Civil War of 1642. When King Charles I stormed Parliament in January that year to arrest five members of the House of Commons, the indicted MPs escaped Westminster via a back door and took refuge in the Puritan stronghold of Coleman Street. Lodging overnight with the militant Quaker Isaac Penington, the Five Members would return to Westminster the following day to a cheering house.

The area has ties to some important historical figures. Augustine Garland, one of the key players in the execution of the King, once lived in the area at 80 Coleman Street. Garland was one of the signatories of the King’s death warrant in 1649. Following the establishment of the Commonwealth, he was an avid supporter of Cromwell. As a result, the fall of the Lord Protector led to the end of Garland’s heyday. When those responsible for the regicide were arrested, Garland was among those condemned to death. Though the sentence was never executed, the fate of Garland remains unknown.

Being at the heart of the city, this area often becomes hectic during rush hour. The 17th century charm of the Old Doctor Butler’s Head gets filled with hoards of suited after-work drinkers making space hard to come by. This is also likely to be true of the eateries along Coleman Street around lunchtime.

The Elizabeth line opened in May 2022 taking passengers west to Heathrow via Paddington, and east to Abbey Wood or Shenfield. Train journeys to Canary Wharf now take only six minutes where they once took twelve. While the new line officially stops at Liverpool street which is a ten minute walk northeast of here, the platform stretches so far west that commuters can gain access through a new entrance at Moorgate. As this area is already well established there is little room for new development. Nonetheless, plans are now in the works for a contemporary mixed-use commercial development between 40–55 Basinghall Street slightly west of Coleman street.