Amwell 200: celebrating 200 years of a Georgian village in Clerkenwell

This summer a 200^th anniversary celebration is coming to Clerkenwell.

Watercolour painting of a 19th-century urban street with brick buildings, trees, a fenced garden, and people walking and riding carriages. — The Upper pond in Claremont Square 1850

From 19 – 28 June, the Amwell Society marks two hundred years since the Georgian houses and squares that make up the Amwell area in Clerkenwell were built.

Amwell 200: is a ten‑day festival celebrating the history, architecture and community of this distinctive part of Clerkenwell.

Built by the New River Company in the early 1800s, the elegant terraces and garden squares in the Amwell area are valued for their strong sense of place. The Amwell Society was founded in 1972 to “preserve the special character” of the area bounded by Pentonville Road, Penton Rise, King’s Cross Road, Farringdon Road, Rosebery Avenue and St John Street. For more than 50 years the Amwell Society has worked to preserve the area’s heritage and support the neighbourhood as a “village within the city”.

Black and white photo of Chadwell Street, Myddelton Square, with pedestrians, shops, and a church in the distance. — Chadwell Street 1820

Taking place over ten days in June, Amwell 200 brings together fun and interactive walks, informative talks, exhibitions and community events that explore the area’s architectural features, historic development and the many interesting people who have lived and worked here. There will be events for a wide range of ages and interests, with a strong focus on local history, community and Clerkenwell’s changing landscape.

Amwell 200 will coincide with the opening of the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration – due to open on 5 June – which is housed in the original 1780 waterworks buildings in the historic New River Head site in Rosebery Avenue.

Child in pink boots leans over circular fountain in lush garden surrounded by greenery and brick buildings. — New River Head in Clerkenwell 2020

Commenting on Amwell 200, the Amwell Society’s Chair, Peadar Sionoid said “We are very excited to be putting on Amwell 200 this summer and celebrating 200 years of the Amwell area. A lot of planning and work has been done to mark the milestone of this important patch of Clerkenwell. The Amwell Society hopes that local residents of Islington and Clerkenwell, friends and family and anyone who has an interest in the history of London, will join us to celebrate.”

The festival is supported by Islington Council and other local businesses and partners and aims to encourage residents and visitors to engage with this unique section of EC1.

Tickets for Amwell 200 events are on sale now and selling fast. Some tickets are free, others cost from £12 to £30 depending on the event. Click here to Get tickets today!