Another Pub Closed

It has been a wee while since I explored around Clerkenwell, hence I was rather surprised to find the Coach & Horses pub had closed.  A lovely old place not far from where the Royal Mail sorting centre was until it was sold off to developers.  The area is very quiet now. I guess more glass boxes will go up in the area.  

Creative Watch

Clerkenwell is the home of the creative set in London whether it be architects, designers or artists.  For three days (19-20 May) the entire area is buzzing during the Clerkenwell Design Week Festival.  An international event that showcases the latest creations and designs.  Whether you are looking for a space age office, an eco house or the quirkiest lamp in the world, you will find it.

A concept car that isn't sure if it is a scooter or a car, a chair covered with hand woven textiles from Guatemala and rug made to any design you want were some of what I saw while sheltering from the torrential rain and hailstones yesterday.

Special Girls

Above the entrance of the gate are the words "special girls", this harks back when this was one of the entrances to the very strict Victorian school.  The building behind the gate wasn't always a school however, its earlier history was as a detention centre where prisoners were held prior to being sent to prison.  As is becoming the norm in inner London it is now expensive apartments.

Now - The Funeral Directors

More than a century of service seems to have come to an end.  Maybe they have moved premises, whatever the situation these Victorian premises seem to be used for an entirely different trade now.  Visit yesterdays post for how they were.

Then - The Funeral Directors

Remember the 25years in the making model of Kings Cross rail?   I thought it would be fun to take some of the detail and visit those spots to see how they look now.  This was the funeral directors as the model maker created after detailed research.  Every piece created  was measured and faithfully reproduced just as it would have looked in the 1930's.

Come back tomorrow and see how this corner looks in 2014.

Art for Charity

"Art is Charity" and during the design festival you could watch artist Ricardo Cavolo create this mural, without any risk of getting paint on your clothing or in your hair.  The finished piece was to be divided into sections and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the charity Kids.

Get Funky

Clerkenwell is where the trendies live and the designers work, so no surprise that the funky Design Week Festival is held here.  From high end interiors to quirky accessories, international exhibitors to local alternative, it is all here.
 You won't find these designs in Ikea or your local high street store.  A great opportunity to see the latest ideas and to meet and chat with the designers.  Plus you get to go inside a number of buildings not usually open to the public.
The festival runs until 22 May.  Perhaps a new lamp or bespoke coffee table is beckoning? I could settle for the Tiger chair.

The Start of the Adventure

A couple of days ago I told you my American friend and I were off for an adventure in a MINI Cooper. We took in all the main sights of London and a few secret spots, and I thought I would share a few of them with you over the next few days. Some oldies but goodies always worth another look.

We began in Clerkenwell with a visit to the ancient Norman church St Bartholomew.  The church originates in 1123 and is tucked away behind a medieval gate next to modern restaurants, which means it can easily be missed.  Step inside those gates and you are transported back to an amazing history and unique architecture.

If the church feels a little familiar that maybe because you have seen it in the movies.  It appeared in such greats as: Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love, The Other Boleyn Girl, and others.

We then jumped back into our mini and zipped down Farringdon Road and turned up Ludgate Hill for a superb view of St Paul's Cathedral.

The rain had stopped and we were treated to blue skies, this was a good sign.  Our adventure was getting better by the minute.

to be continued…..

Pondering

Sitting in front of the war memorial at St Bartholomew's  Hospital (St Bart's) contemplating.

This is the oldest hospital in London and the current building still occupies the original site.  Founded in 1123 its founder lies in a tomb in the church across the road.  During the middle ages it was known as a place that took care of the poor.  In the 18th century the principles of modern surgery were developed here.  Now it is an NHS (National Health Service) hospital.

It survived the great fire of London and the blitz of WWII although the still bear the bullet holes from the latter.

Children and Drunks

An interesting shop window, someone having a bad day maybe?

Pretty at Pennies

A lovely store in Clerkenwell selling vintage clothing and jewellery

Gingerbread

The best part of Xmas is the foods that you only get at this time. Gingerbread, the firm, crisp kind is my favourite. What is yours?

No Dogs

Some rules just invite wilful disregard.

No Hope Left

Sweeny Todd, the infamous barber who turned his clients into pies, crossed my mind, when, yesterday I ventured into a macabre pop-up butchers in Smithfields that had human limbs on the menu.
Not for the feint hearted but if flesh eating zombies are your thing, I guess you will be excited that the reason for this store is to promote the launch of the game Resident Evil 6.

And if you are one of the excited ones you can get a sneak preview on twitter #nohopeleft.

I'm thinking of becoming vegetarian.

Solar Tree

This solar tree sculpture popped up during design week. Pretty and functional, 'solar tree' can function independently for up to three days. Alternatively it can feed power back into the grid.

It will remain in St John's Square in Clerkenwell until after the Games.

Conker Champion

It's all in the flick of the wrist. This is the season of conkers. A game between two people with the aim of striking your opponents conker.
At St Peter's church in Clerkenwell, Friday lunch time became the conker battle ground where teams fought to become champion.
I can report the girls won! Louise and her colleague were an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.
Let's hope they go on to the nationals. Yes that's right this game is serious. There are national championships!
If like me this game is new to you here is a site explaining how to play.

St John's Gate

The Knights Hospitallier were an order dedicated to healing the sick and defending the faith. This gate dating from 1504 was the entrance to their sanctuary.
It went through many lives after that depending on who was in power until the Victorians, inspired by its medical past, founded St John's Ambulance.

Cattle Trough

Yes something cows drink out of. In the middle of London? Yes again. Until late in the 19th century animals were driven in to the nearby Smithfields Market. The market is still there but it is carcasses that are brought in these days. Back when live animals were on their way to market these drinking troughs were strategically placed along the way.
Interesting that people were drinking gin and beer as the water wasn't drinkable.
Maybe the cows had gin as well. Gin was produced a few metres away from this trough so maybe daisy had a jolly end.