Step into Clerkenwell’s dark past: prisons, paupers, gangs & grim tales that shaped one of London’s most dangerous district.
By Emanuela Aru, Clerkenwell and Islington Guide
Clerkenwell may have been crowned the best place to live in London in 2024 by The Times, but behind today’s calm streets lies a far darker past. Between the 18th and early 20th centuries, Clerkenwell was one of the most dangerous corners of London—a place where poverty, crime, and death walked hand in hand.
Once a thriving hub of industry, Clerkenwell drew in waves of migrants seeking work. But the promises of the Industrial Revolution soon gave way to grim reality: squalid housing, meagre wages, and desperate choices. For many, life narrowed to just two fates—the workhouse or the prison. And in this climate, crime flourished. The district gained a reputation as a den of thieves, pickpockets, and highwaymen, while its slums inspired some of Charles Dickens’ most vivid characters.
From the 17th century onwards, at least four different prisons operated here, packed with thieves, debtors, radicals, and the destitute. The Middlesex House of Correction—infamous for its severity—was once the largest prison in the country. Their looming presence gave rise to the magnificent Sessions House on Clerkenwell Green, for years the busiest courthouse in England.
The Dark Side of Clerkenwell is a guided walking tour. On this walk we’ll uncover two centuries of Clerkenwell’s hidden history. From the escapades of Jack Sheppard, the infamous 18th-century thief and master of escape, to the rise of the Italian gangs of the Sabinis and the Cortesis, Clerkenwell’s streets echo with tales both thrilling and chilling.
If you want to discover the side of Clerkenwell that Londoners once feared, join me on this walk. Don’t worry—you’ll be safe.
This walk explores Clerkenwell’s darker history and includes sensitive topics such as murder and violence. This tour is not suitable for children.
Dates:
Thursday 6th November 6pm
Saturday 15th November 11am
Thursday 20th November 6pm
Saturday 29th November 11am
To book for the tour head to Emanuela’s website or book here.
