London Fun Facts Walking Tour - Clerkenwell & Smithfield

One of my favourite walks is around Clerkenwell and Smithfield Market. I love this area of London! There is so much history here that I cannot possibly squeeze it all into one video but here is a nice walking tour which you could do starting at Farringdon.

Farringdon Station was the terminus of the first subway (underground) line in the world, serving the area of Smithfield, London's oldest meat market, which has existed for 1000 years. It was famous for wife selling in the 18th and 19th centuries and also martyrdom.

William Wallace (or Braveheart) was hung drawn and quartered here and many protestant martyrs were burnt. It was also where Watt Tyler's peasant's revolt came to a head in 1381 amongst many other things!

Then head over to ST John's Gate, the only existing remains of the Priory of the Knights of Saint John and then on to Clerkenwell Green where you will see The Clerks' Well and where Oliver Twist gets blamed for stealing a handkerchief!

[davidjma]

I used to go to Smithfield and have a steak breakfast - with a pint of beer at 7am in the 80's! Perfect.

[adriankiefir]

This man should have his own tv show! Another excellent video Joolz old chap.

[velvetindigonight]

Lordy, thanks for the trip down memory lane. Enjoy

[mikejohnson]

after reading English literature and history for 50yrs here in the usa you really make it come alive with your tours thanks sooo much

[davidlathrop]

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your work. London is so dear to my heart, which is odd since I have never been outside of the US in my life. Being able to see the wonderful minutiae that I read of talked about by such an amazing guide is a real treat.

[grumpyoldben]

I worked for a couple of years in the early 80’s further up Farringdon Rd. Near Mt. Pleasant, opposite Exmouth Market ... The Penny Black Pub & Clark’s Pie & Mash were regular haunts ... along with a Pub on Clerkenwell Green, the name escapes me but it was a Chiswick Brewery/Fuller’s Pub ... sold the best pint of London Pride going ! It was near the FreeMason’s Temple, which I think there was a shot of in the video.

These videos bring back some great memories ... I was born in Victoria Park, Hackney and worked in London until 1990 when I left the UK.

Great to show these videos to my kids ! Keep ‘em coming me ol’ China !

[ealing]

I live in London, and also enjoy exploring the capital. On weekends I chose a route and walk for hours. For example, yesterday I walked from Barking and Epping forest, passing Woodford and Laughton. I had no idea that Woodford and Laughton were such affluent areas and so many beautiful buildings there. I have been living here for 20 years and still love this city. :)

[hopefulmelancholy]

Thank you Julian for taking us to a world we've never known with your wonderfully cheerful personality.
I wish I had a good man like you.

[gabbaxhey]

My old neighborhood, I lived in Grays Inn Building / Rosebury Ave. / Holborn / EC 1 in the mid 1980's ... what a great time (I was 24/25) it was.

[wdm]

Brilliant as always. Best London guide videos out there.

[roeng]

Its sad the contrast between the lovely old medieval, georgian, and victorian buildings, and the horrible rubbish they build now, not just in London, but everywhere. Good video Joolz.

[billcarrell]

Joolz, you could make a fortune by creating a guide book of the different areas of London.
Joolz tours castles, Joolz tours the quirkies, Joolz tours Pubs (best seller no doubt), the possibilities are endless.
Either way, another wonderful walk, I'm exhausted, time for a pint, cheers.

[ernestparker]

The reason the metropolitan tunnels look so grand, they were built to great western broad gauge and are the widest tunnels on the underground, I drove trains on the met for, 34 years.

[tonil.]

The architecture in this part of London is just beautiful. 😊

[danbennett]

Wonderful content, wonderful editing. I love all the still frames you incorporate into these vids. They really enrich the presentation. Well done!

[digistartwo]

Great memories. Thanks for showing us Smithfield Market in its final years as a meat market.

[karene.]

Thank you so much for doing these tours. I can't travel at this time in my life. You give me a little taste of Britain from the comfort of my own home. ❤️

[mariellenerder]

These videoes never fail to brighten up my day :) am actually going to the William Wallace plaque in May :)

[MickAngelhere]

That’s what I love about London so much history and interesting things to see👍👍

[badatfootball]

Joolz, another great video! Spent many weeks in the vicinity in the 80s at a meat training college linked to the market. Years before that, my grandad worked there as a meat porter. Keep up the good work.