Huge congratulations to Footways on publication of their printed and online map of Clerkenwell heritage and attractions. I have a slight stake on in it – about which more later – but think I can be dispassionate in saying how appealing and important it is on two fronts.
First off, it is an excellent guide to the area, with a history timeline, descriptions of interesting heritage locations and places to eat and drink with historical and architectural significance. Each is keyed to the map which features a spine route from Angel to St Paul’s.
The map highlights a section of the Green Link Walk, London’s newest long-distance walking route, which links over 40 green spaces and waterways.
Footways co-founder David Harrison offers a full explanation in an article for the EC1 Echo, and I have copied the press release below, with information about where to pick up free copies of the map.
Scope for collaboration
The second potential area of value comes from 14 highly significant organisations and venues that have commented on or collaborated in developing the map. These include the excellent Peel Institute community centre – publisher of the EC1 Echo – together with Museums, archives and libraries of London-wide and international significance. I’ve listed them at the end, with links.
As I suggested in this earlier post, there’s scope for joining up current engagement and storytelling plans, and perhaps developing new initiatives like a Museum of the Streets.
Maybe there will be interest in the idea of Destination Clerkenwell. When the new London Museum opens in Smithfield in 2026 some two to three million visitors a year are expected to visit. As the map shows, the attractions of Clerkenwell are only a short walk away.
The London Archives website already offers visitors suggestions on where to visit.
Earlier Discovering Clerkenwell initiatives
The Footways press release, below, gives a generous name check to me and Mike Franks for assistance. Here’s some back story.
The Footways map is the first substantial printed guide to the area since Mike Franks published a Discovering Clerkenwell poster in 1977.
I was working with the Silver Jubilee committee at the time, and helped secure funding. In 1998-2000 Mike was able to get substantial further investment to establish a trail of 90 pavement markers and 30 lamp-post signs for the trail.
A few years ago we renewed acquaintance, promoted Mike’s idea of a Clerkenwell Commons for collaboration and conversation in an article in the EC1 Echo, and began further research and mapping of Clerkenwell. Here’s a early version of an online trail with 360 photos.
The Peel Institute funded further development of online maps of Clerkenwell’s heritage and radical history, published on Footways and Layers of London. Quite a few of the original markers are still in place, and in 2023 Clerkenwell Design Week helped promote the online maps with QR codes on some markers.
The London Archives and The Peel hosted an event for local organisations and a group was formed to collaborate on events and other initiatives.
The Radical Clerkenwell group, including the Marx Memorial Library, made a major contribution to the map that is now published, embracing additional organisations and venues. Islington Council provided the funding.
Obviously any new collaborations depend on the wider group of organisations finding common interests and purpose. I think the new map could be a catalyst for that, and I’m hoping we can organise a get-together in the New Year to explore possibilities.
Press release
December 10 2024
EXPLORE CLERKENWELL’S LAYERS OF HISTORY WITH FOOTWAYS
A new guide to Clerkenwell for people on foot launches on 13 December, with a printed and digital map created by Footways in collaboration with Islington Council, designed to promote walking for transport and pleasure.
The Footways network of peaceful and attractive walking routes guides pedestrians through this fascinating and varied area, uncovering 900 years of history as told through Clerkenwell’s streets, from meandering medieval lanes to grand Victorian boulevards.
Photo credit: Paul Cochrane
Working with local experts and the area’s world-class cultural institutions, Footways has written up a selection of streets, buildings and locations that tell the story of Clerkenwell, as well as a collection of recommended places to eat and drink with historical and architectural significance.
In addition to celebrating Clerkenwell’s rich heritage, the collaboration aims to encourage people to walk more, both as a healthy and sustainable form of transport that benefits the area, and as something that boosts personal wellbeing and enjoyment. Islington Council has turned Clerkenwell Green into a superb public space and has plans to transform St John Street to create a place where local people and visitors can spend time and walk, wheel and cycle safely.
Cutting through the area, and offering a perfect introduction to Clerkenwell, the map also showcases a section of the Green Link Walk, London’s newest long-distance walking route, which links over 40 green spaces and waterways. The route was developed by a partnership of Ramblers, London Living Streets, Sustrans and CPRE, and delivered by TfL.
The printed map has been designed by Studio Bergini, with beautiful
illustrations by Laur Fitton, cartography by Applied Information, and
invaluable local knowledge from David Wilcox and Mike Franks. It is printed by Angel Press.
Free copies are available from destinations across Clerkenwell (details below). The digital map is available online at www.footways.london/clerkenwell along with more information about the network and distribution locations.
David Harrison, co-founder of Footways said: “This beautiful map highlights many of the astonishingly attractive streets, buildings, institutions and places in Clerkenwell and their fascinating history. It picks out intriguing walking routes and invites residents, workers and visitors to walk and explore.”
Ruth Hayes, Islington councillor for Clerkenwell, said: “Footways shares Islington Council’s vision for transforming our streets for people, and this beautiful map represents not only Clerkenwell’s rich and fascinating past, but also its future – with more green spaces, more sustainable connectivity, and more walking for transport and pleasure.”
Paddy Radcliffe, CEO of The Peel said: “One of the things that makes Clerkenwell so special is the incredibly diverse range of cultural institutions serving residents and visitors. The Peel has been supporting the local community for over 100 years, and we’re delighted to be featured in this map that promotes the very best of what the area has to offer.”
About Footways
Footways CIC develops networks of quiet and enjoyable routes for walking and turns these into printed and digital maps. Footways is the transition towards a more walkable, people-friendly city. The project sets out to shift habits, raises the profile of active travel and identifies weak links to prioritise infrastructure improvements. https://footways.london/
Free maps will be available from 13 December 2024 from:
● Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street, London EC1V 4NB
● Islington Museum, 245 St John Street, London EC1V 4NB
● The London Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB
● Museum of the Order of St John, St John’s Gate, London, EC1M 4DA
● Charles Dickens Museum, 48-49 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX
● The Charterhouse, public entrance on Charterhouse Sq, Barbican, London EC1M 6AN
● The Goldsmiths’ Centre, 42 Britton Street, London EC1M 5AD
● St Bartholomew the Great, W Smithfield, Barbican, London EC1A 9DS
More information: Emma Griffin, co-founder of Footways 07960 587030 | emma@footways.london
Download images of the map and Clerkenwell street scenes here. Credit: Footways & Paul Cochrane. Editorial Use Only. One-Time Use.
All organisations and venues on the map
- Anti-Apartheid Legacy and Learning Centre
- Barts Hospital Museum and Barts Heritage
- Charles Dickens Museum
- London Museum
- The Charterhouse
- Museum of the Order of St John
- Marx Memorial Library
- St Bartholomew the Great
- The Goldsmith’s Centre
- The London Archives
- The Peel Institute and EC1 Echo
- The Postal Museum
- Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration