Smithfield and Clerkenwell (A Guided Walk in London)
“Smithfield and Clerkenwell” is a Guided Walk in London devised and led by the well known Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby, of Colin Crosby Heritage Tours.
These strolls are an excellent way of soaking up some Local History.
The walk starts outside St. Pauls Cathedral, by the Queen Anne statue.
The area covered by this walk is a very historic one on the edge of the old City of London, but which tends to be ignored by guides and tourists alike. There are several religious establishments, one of London’s great hospitals and the course of the almost-forgotten River Fleet.
Smithfield, originally the “smooth field”, was where the young Richard II confronted Wat Tyler and the men from Essex and Kent who took part in the Peasants’ Revolt, and where Tyler was personally murdered by the Lord Mayor of London.
It was the scene of many executions, including the Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace, who was hung, drawn and quartered here, and later many martyrs caught up in the 16th century differences between Protestants and Catholics.
The walk reveals a number of mediaeval gateways, the home of John Betjeman and London’s oldest church, St. Bartholomew the Great, founded by Rahere, jester to Henry I.
Clerkenwell Green has been the home of radical thought and writing for many years. People associated with the area have included William Cobbett, William Morris and Lenin.
“Smithfield and Clerkenwell” is one of several walks that Colin leads around historic but little known parts of London. Others include “Southwark and Bankside”, “Spitalfields”, “Bow Bells” and the atmospheric “Jack the Ripper”.
Dates, costs and where to meet
A place on 'Smithfield and Clerkenwell' costs £5.50 per person, or £3.50 if paying in advance. The guided walk begins at St. Pauls Cathedral, and is running on:
I'm sorry, but there are no plans to run this event at present.
If you would like to book a place on one of these dates, please telephone Colin on (0116) 2611576 or email him at colin@crosbyheritage.co.uk.