This small neighbourhood area features just two streets: Ely Place and Charterhouse Street, yet it is rich in character and history. The curious gated cul-de-sac of Ely Place has been associated with the Bishops of Ely since 1290, and was, until recently, technically an enclave of Cambridgeshire. The pub Ye Old Mitre is one of the oldest in London, dating back to 1546 when it was converted from a servant’s house. Until as recently as the 1960s the pub’s licence was issued by the Cambridge authorities due to the clerical connection to the county. Containing Saint Etheldreda’s Roman Catholic Church, the Federation of Master Builders and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, a walk through this area tells a story of religion, industry, and craft that have shaped contemporary London. As a result of damage in the Second World War, this locale also features Post-War architecture which now blends with contemporary styles, giving this area an ahistorical Londoners will find familiar.

The Federation of Master Builders is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized construction firms, the FMB is an independent organisation that lobbies for the interests of their members at both local and national levels. The Gemmological Association also resides here, a school dedicated to education within the jewellery trade. Established in 1908, the Gemmological Association was initially created to represent the interests of jewellers in the new industrial age, but grew exponentially with the unexpected boom in the gem trade between the 1930s and the 1950s. Now the Association continues to offer world-class education in gemmology, and is well known for its academic publication ‘The Journal of Gemmology’.

This neighbourhood area was the final resting place of 18th-century poet Thomas Chatterton, who committed suicide at the age of 17. As an exceptionally studious and talented child, he began publishing works by the age of 11, which he passed off as the work of a fictional 15th-century poet called Thomas Rowley. He began to seek places to publish his political writings in London at 17.Despite impressing the Lord Mayor and the radical leader John Wilkes, Chatterton was unable to earn enough money, and he ended up poisoning himself in despair. Chatterton’s story attracted much interest, particularly among the poets of the Romantic era. Today many pieces of art pay respect to this tragic poet, including a play by Alfred de Vigny and an oil painting by Henry Wallis.

Looking further back, John of Gaunt died at Ely Place in 1399. He was the first Duke of Lancaster, and the third surviving son of King Edward the Third. St. Etheldreda’s Church is the oldest Catholic church in England, and one of only two remaining buildings in London from the reign of Edward the First. It was once one of the most influential places in the city, and functioned like an independent state for the Bishops of Ely.

The main downside to this neighbourhood area is its exclusivity. Those looking to live or open a business here will have an extremely hard time as many of the buildings have been under the same ownership for many generations. However, with the recent opening of the Elizabeth Line at nearby Farringdon station, investors are increasingly interested. With direct links to 3 of London’s 5 major airports and to the commuter belt in the Thames Valley, this area sits next to one of London’s busiest stations. The recently completed Charterhouse scheme is one example of the potential developers see in this postcode, providing offices for the precious metal and gemstone companies Anglo American Mining and De Beers.