A highly modern neighbourhood in the heart of Clerkenwell, this area consists of a dense web of high-profile businesses interwoven with traditional pubs, newly-refurbished flats, restaurants, and independent coffee houses. The network of narrow streets combine with the relatively low building height in this area to create a cosy atmosphere that is somewhat uncanny in the centre of London. The Museum of the Order of St. John offers a niche historical experience for tourists seeking something a little off the conventional path, and the nearby St. John’s gardens offers a small green sanctuary for lunch breaks. Overall an excellent social hub for tourists and commuters passing through Farringdon station, as well as those who live and work in the local area.

This neighbourhood is historically tied to the Order of St. John, which is now popularly known through the volunteer-led ambulance service of the same name. The headquarters of St. John’s ambulance resides in this neighbourhood as well as the order’s historic museum. The charity can be recognised by the white eight-pointed cross on a black background which is emblazoned on the sides of ambulances and uniforms, and which was originally worn on the robes of the Brother Knights in the hospital in Jerusalem. The emblem has remained unaltered for centuries, symbolising an enduring legacy of humanitarian care. The charity today now trains over 400,000 people per year in life- saving skills through their programmes, with their volunteers giving over 900,000 hours of their time to cover medical support at events across the UK.

The Booth family, the makers of the famous ‘Booths Gin’ started off in this neighbourhood on Britton Street in 1740. The gin is now world-famous, and Booths now own 28 specialist stores throughout the country, as well as supplying shops around the world as wholesalers. Somebody pass the tonic!

This area was also frequented by Charles Dickens, and was once a dangerous area known for its high levels of crime and poverty. This inspired Dickens to write the novel ‘Oliver Twist’ in order to make visible the hardships of impoverished Londoners at the time.

Jerusalem Tavern in this neighbourhood area sells a range of alcohol-free craft beers on tap. The St. Peter’s Brewery makes a range of these beers, aptly named ‘St Peter’s Without’ to allow beer enthusiasts to enjoy a cold pint without any of the side effects of alcohol.

Passing Alley in between St. John Street and St. John Lane was originally spelled with an ‘i’ instead of an ‘a’ in the middle. Victorians, known for their prudish character, felt the name was too vulgar and changed it to its less offensive current form.

The downside of this neighbourhood is that it is not at all cheap. Average property prices stand at almost £1 million for a studio apartment, and average rental prices are £705 per week. Local businesses stated however that eating and drinking out in this area was no more expensive than other areas in central London. The bar and restaurant scene looks to continue to grow in this neighbourhood, and many new housing developments are also planned. The opening of the Elizabeth Line at nearby Farringdon has only made the area more attractive, attracting commuters from across the Thames Valley. Residents seek to preserve the character of Clerkenwell, however, schemes such as Postmarks redevelopment of the old Royal mail sorting office are well underway. While concessions were made to preserve some of the area’s design character, the unaffordable prices and luxury facilities have led to criticism of the development, which is still ongoing.