The Clooper Guide To Farringdon
Farringdon is a lively slice of London with a wide variety of appeal. This commuter hotspot has everything from regular markets, to nightclubs, to historical sights. So let’s get stuck in.
OVERVIEW
This district was presumably named after William de Farindon, a goldsmith and City of London alderman, who moved there in the 13th century. Here it remained relatively quiet until the 1700s. Homes were then built and the district quickly became a very popular residential area.
Later on in the 1870s, Farringdon became known as something of a trading hub. This was due to the opening of Farringdon Street station, known to us now as Farringdon Station, which now extends into Moorgate. A variety of other exciting developments happened from here on; The Guardian newspaper opened up along Farringdon Road, more residential apartments have been built to compensate for a larger population, and a variety of lively bars and homely pubs have been erected.
This district has always attracted people to its streets. Whether it’s to find a home, indulge your inner history buff, or find a bargain at a market or two, you’re sure to find something in Farringdon that’ll give you a day, a week, or part of a lifetime that you’ll remember fondly for years to come.
PROPERTIES AND PRICES
LIVING & RENTING: Properties for sale usually range from £325,000 for a studio flat to £400,000 upwards for flats with multiple bedrooms. Due to Farringdons popularity and fantastic travel links, prices can be steeper here than in other London districts. Renting is similar. A studio apartment could cost you a monthly rent of £1,300 – £2,000pcm.
STAYING: Serviced apartments in and around the Farringdon area usually begin at around £100 a day. Find your ideal lodging here!
GREEN SPACES
London has some wonderful parks and green spaces. For a city so industrialised, it goes out of its way to provide a variety of green spaces to locals and visitors alike. One memorable park near Farringdon is Saint John’s Gardens, near Benjamin Street.
Saint John’s Gardens is a slice of serenity in a busy London district. Visitors describe it as a ‘small forest inside’, and one that it’s easy to momentarily lose yourself in despite your busy surroundings. These gardens are known to stay peaceful. There isn’t enough room to kick a ball around, for example, but more than enough room to lay out a picnic blanket and have a catch-up with friends. Or simply to walk through on your lunch break! Spending time with nature is a fantastic way to naturally boost the mood. With these gardens nearby, you can easily do just that whenever you wish.
Another nearby green space is Spa Fields. Despite the name, no, unfortunately, you can’t get any spa treatments here. Though it’s certainly fun to visit besides that! This park is small but has oodles of appeal. For example, there is a wide variety of seating to choose from. Additionally, there is a kid’s play area that is very well maintained, and plenty of space for dogs and rugrats alike to run around in. If you’re a sporty person yourself you’re in luck. Spa Fields also has table tennis and sports cages available! They’re also encircled by beautiful flower beds, making it a lovely place just to chill out and watch the world go by.
THINGS TO DO
Farringdon is a very popular district in London. Not only for its historical value, but for its community spirit as well, and the fun atmosphere present throughout the locale. It isn’t a huge area, but it absolutely feels like it with everything available to you.
- The Charterhouse. This former monastery is now a museum, open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday. This building has also been a Tudor mansion, a school, and an almshouse, and you can learn all about it with a professionally guided tour.
- Smithfield Market. This historic market is a fantastic place to grab some fresh ingredients.
- St Johns Gate, built in 1504, was built as the south entrance to the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St John. This fantastic structure is a popular attraction in Farringdon for its sheer historical value.
- Barts Pathology Museum displays a series of preserved specimens in hope of educating its visitors about medicine. It also hosts regular public lectures and events.
STAND OUT STARS
It can be a little overwhelming to get started in Farringdon. With so much to choose from, what to do first? We’ve gathered up a variety of the most common suggestions from locals and visitors alike.
Leather Lane Market boasts a plethora of stalls. Selling anything from household goods to street food to fashion items, a wander through this market is sure to be kind to you and your wallet both — as prices are known to be very reasonable, especially for Central London! This weekday market is open from 10 am to 4 pm, and is a popular communal place for locals to meet and spend time together.
In terms of cuisine: The Fence, Farringdon, is a real stand-out star. This bar and restaurant claims to offer a ‘rich selection of craft beers, cocktails, freshly prepared food and excellent atmosphere.’ If the reviews are anything to go by, they aren’t lying! The staff are reportedly very professional, bubbly and friendly, and the decor is said to be fantastic. Both homely and quirky! Head on down and see for yourself, and make sure to check out their beer garden. We’ve heard it’s one of the best around.
We’ve already spoken about our love for The Piano Works, but it bears repeating. The Piano Works is a truly unique clubbing experience. Simply write your music request on a piece of paper, pass it to the staff, and they’ll pass it to musicians who will perform that song live for you right there on that night! There’s also a good mix of club and disco tunes after a certain point in the night — and the dance floor is spacious enough to bust an uninterrupted boogie.
TRAVEL
Farringdon is a very accessible part of London. It’s connected to the wide variety of Central London via Farringdon station, which can take you anywhere from Kings Cross to Ladbroke Grove.
You can also hop on the Thameslink to Gatwick or Luton. It’s easy to see why this location is so popular with commuters! Many London buses also travel through Farringdon, Such as the 40 and 63 towards Angel and Kings Cross, or the 341 and N63 which double back to Blackfriars and Waterloo.
While living or staying in this area, you’ll have easy access to the majority of Central London. Looking for something further out? Check out our Victoria Island area guide.
