Clerkenwell used to be the industrial hub of the city, but it’s now the creative heartland; great for style, gastronomy and design. It’s a great place to go if you seek inspiration and good coffee. But they’re often one and the same.
1. Dine at The Modern Pantry
The Modern Pantry promises excellent food with adventurous flavours in both a casual café and formal restaurant setting. As well as tasty food, there’s also weird and wonderful cocktails and an afternoon tea!
47-48 St John’s Square, EC1V 4JJ
2. Discover Exmouth Market
If you’re looking for some tasty grub? Exmouth Market. If you’re looking for a barber shop? Exmouth Market. If you’re looking for a cake? If you hadn’t guessed it, Exmouth Market. Whatever you want or wherever you go, expect it to be super cute and super quirky.
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3. Eat and drink at Clerkenwell Grind
Open first thing in the morning until the early hours, Clerkenwell Grind will sort you out whatever time of the day. They’ll fix you up a tasty breakfast at 7am, or muster up a top notch Espresso Martini at 2am. They’ll even serve you bottomless prosecco before lunchtime at the weekends. So basically — if in doubt, Clerkenwell Grind.
2-4 Old Street, EC1V 9AA
4. Explore Leather Lane
Leather Lane is full of excuses to visit, and this spicy falafel wrap from Brothers Cafe is just one of them. You could also buy a secondhand bike from Fullcity Cycles, or feast your eyes (and your stomach) on the huge selection of street food at Leather Lane Market, which runs Monday-Friday.
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5. Dine in darkness at Dans Le Noir
Rediscover your senses and be wined and dined by the visually impaired. It will totally change your perspective, and will force you to consult your imagination and really use your sense of smell and taste. You won’t know what you’re eating or who you’re sat next to… but it’s bound to open your mind.
30-31 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DU
6. Stroll along stunning streets
7. And browse quirky, colourful shops
8. Grab a seat at Brill
They’ve got music, coffee and bagels. The almighty trio.
27 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL
9. Get your geek on at the Charles Dickens Museum
Potter about Dickens’s family home and discover the very walls within which he wrote Oliver Twist. Take a look at his writing desk, handwritten drafts of his novels, and his young wife’s engagement ring.
48 Doughty St, WC1N 2LX
10. Have brunch at Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings
Sip on bottomless Bellinis or Bloody Marys amongst this gorgeous greenhouse oasis. There’s a mighty selection of tasty food to choose from, plus did we mention that the Bellinis and Bloody Marys were bottomless? Oh, and they have nice chairs, too.
42 Northampton Rd, EC1R 0HU
11. Look out for daily inspiration
12. Stay in a leafy ‘Outside-In’ house
Hidden in an unassuming building in Clerkenwell, Airbnb have teamed up with Pantone to bring a flora-filled oasis to the heart of the capital, inspired by their colour of the year, ’15-0343 Greenery’. Inside the house you’ll find an indoor greenhouse, a jacuzzi and, well, lots and lots of green stuff.
4 Dingley Place
13. Hunt for these adorable birdhouses
We’re not telling you where they are — it’s a secret!
Feature Image: Instagram/@sarah_leigh