Monday 6th of March saw fifteen Lightmongers and guests brave the slightly damp weather for a guided walk of historic Clerkenwell and Smithfield with Brian Cookson a blue badge guide of London.
Clerkenwell gate
The walk had been organised by Liveryman Paul Bateman on behalf of the Lightmongers Events Committee.
The area was thoroughly brought to life with information on the history, the architecture, and those small points of interest that one quite often walks past unknowingly. We toured the sites of the original Well, the Sessions House (originally the Masonic Hall) plus several monastery sites and monuments to uprisings by those who stood up for their beliefs.
We were able to view inside two very historic churches, walk through the Clerkenwell gate and view the historic Charterhouse.
Charterhouse
St James Church Clerkenwell
The Smithfield area was described with the cattle being driven along Cowcross Street to the market which provided powerful imagery.
Smithfield Market
The walk ended at the Old Bailey, formerly Newgate prison, after which we gathered for a well-deserved social drink at a nearby hostelry. An interesting and enjoyable tour of part of historic London – watch out for the next one!
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