Feet First Walking

 

This walk is based on Walk 90 from the Reader's Digest Town Tours in Britain (ring binder). It meanders around the streets, passages and alleyways of this historic area. The walk is beautifully illustrated and is easy to follow.

 

Cowcross Street-art.

 

 

St. John's Gatehouse, was originally the entrance to St John's Priory. The arms of the prior who built the arch in 1504 are displayed below the window. It is now a museum of the Order of Saint John.

 

The gates of the St. John Priory Church.

 

Clerkenwell Green, which in fact has had no green for over 300 years and is a paved square. It is also where the Artful Dodger introduces Oliver to the practice of pickpocketing! St. James's Church is in the background.

 

At Hatton Gardens, the favoured pupils mark the site of a charity school founded in 1696. It was severely damaged by incendiary bombs during WWII.

 

The Records Office on St Cross Street.

 

Ely Place, a private cul-de-sac of elegant Georgian terraced houses.

 

Further up Holborn, near to Chancery Lane tube station, is the Cittie of Yorke pub. We initially sat in one of the booths to the back of the pub, which was quite dark. But were able to move to a better-lit booth. But this was not without it's own problems as it was a much coveted location by 4 Germans who really, really wanted to sit there...we finished our drinks and put them out of their misery.

 

Although the current pub is a rebuilding of the 1920s, the buildings on this site have been pubs since 1430. It boasts the longest bar in London.

 

 

The tube station at Chancery Lane.

 

Looking from Holborn Viaduct down to Farringdon Street.

 

Not sure what this building is, but it has stairs that lead down, off the viaduct.

 

The Old Bailey, near to St. Andrew's Church.

 

This timber-framed gateway, with a house above it, leads from Smithfield to St Bartholomew the Great. Parts of the church date back to the 12th century.

 

The Rising Sun pub on Cloth Fair, looked stunningly atmospheric, but we did not pop in. Also on Cloth Fair is the oldest house in London.