In the Footsteps of Dickens

Once home to Radical Thinkers and Reformers, this area is full of Historical Alleyways and Literary ties

Dickens's Dream, by Robert William Buss 1875 - Public Domain

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Between Bloomsbury and the City of London lies Clerkenwell, a neighbourhood steeped in rich history, revolutionary ideas, and timeless stories. Once home to monastic orders, radical thinkers, printers, and reformers, it later became a favourite haunt of Charles Dickens, who knew its streets well. He walked through its alleys, observed its people, and wove its spirit into novels like Oliver Twist, Bleak House, and Little Dorrit.

In Clerkenwell, the past lingers in every corner. You’ll find medieval gatehouses, Victorian pubs, and peaceful squares that once stirred with protest. There's the evocative Bleeding Heart Yard, a location wrapped in legend and literature, and the Charles Dickens Museum just a short stroll away in Bloomsbury, where you can stand in the very study where he penned some of his most famous works. Nearby, Exmouth Market buzzes with modern life, but traces of its working-class roots remain, echoing the vibrant London Dickens captured with such vivid detail.

Let’s go on a journey through ten fascinating places that uncover Clerkenwell’s hidden past - each site open to visitors today. Whether you’re a fan of literature, London’s layered history, or simply enjoy discovering places that still feel authentic, this walk through Dickensian Clerkenwell will spark your imagination and deepen your love for the city.

Ready to walk in the footsteps of Charles Dickens?

In today’s email:-

• In the Footsteps of Dickens, Places of Interest in Clerkenwell - Here’s a list of fascinating places in and around Clerkenwell that bring history to life - each with ties to Dickens, radical London, or the rich character of this often-overlooked corner of the city. From historic pubs to cobbled courtyards, these spots offer a glimpse into the world that inspired some of Dickens’s greatest works:-

  1. The Charles Dickens Museum – 48 Doughty Street, Dickens’s former home

  2. Clerkenwell Green – Historic hub of political gatherings and protests

  3. St John’s Gate and The Museum of the Order of St John– Former priory gatehouse and later the offices of The Gentleman’s Magazine - Discover the medieval roots of Clerkenwell through the Knights Hospitaller

  4. The Marx Memorial Library – At the corner of Clerkenwell Green, with political printing history

  5. The Holy Tavern – A traditional 18th-century-style pub with historic interiors

  6. Exmouth Market – A lively street of indie shops, cafés, and literary cafés

  7. Spa Fields Park – Site of historical public gatherings, now a peaceful green space

  8. Farringdon Station – One of London’s oldest underground stations, near former coaching inns

  9. Bleeding Heart Yard – A cobbled courtyard with a darkly romantic legend, featured in Dickens’s Little Dorrit

In the Footsteps of Dickens: