London area of EC1 guide

What to do and where to stay in London's EC1 neighbourhood

Located just on the outskirts of the City, EC1 is a rather trendy part of town. Covering Clerkenwell and Farringdon, it's home to some very cutting-edge restaurants around Smithfield Market, including the Michelin starred St John with its particular brand of "nose to tail" dining. North of the market, London's original gastropub The Eagle opened its doors in 1991 and now it's surrounded by a host of similar establishments - The Well, The Peasant and The Coach & Horses - giving this district a cheerful, chilled-out vibe; a wonderful place for papers and pints on a weekend. Exmouth Market, a street of lovely independent shops during the day, continues the funky atmosphere with its bustling, continental-style bars and restaurants, twinkling with fairy lights overhead. Head here for a pre-theatre meal or post-show drinks if you're planning a visit to nearby Sadler's Wells, London's favourite contemporary dance venue. If you're looking for something oh-so sparkly for a loved one, Hatton Garden in the southwest corner of the district is the place to shop for diamonds and bejewelled rings, largely populated by nervous-looking guys and their expectant-looking gals.

See our recommended nearby EC1 Hotels, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

EC1 Hotels

in or near EC1
Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
335-337 Old Street, EC1V
Prison cells are VIP booths in the bar at the Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, a 128 room hotel in the Old Magistrates Court and Police Station, opposite ... More
 
 
 
Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
1 Kings Cross Road, WC1X
Halfway between the City and the west End, the Bloomsbury area is an oasis of calm in the very heart of the capital. It's a lovely ... More
 
 
 
Rosewood London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
252 High Holborn, WC1V
Located in High Holborn, Rosewood London is the most luxurious hotel in the area and is nearby to the capital's main business district and a number ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Entertainment

in or near EC1
PICK
Barbican Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Silk Street, EC1, London EC2Y
The Barbican Centre's two theatre spaces - the Barbican Theatre and The Pit - offer everything from gritty reality to far-flung fantasy, from dance to ... More
 
 
 
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Barbican Centre
London > Entertainment > Arts Centres
Silk Street, EC1, London EC2Y
Described by the Queen as 'one of the wonders of the modern world' , the Barbican Centre has also been voted 'London's ugliest building'. Ugly or ... More
 
 
 
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Barbican The Pit
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Silk Street, EC1, London EC2Y
In the two theatre spaces - the Barbican Theatre and the Pit - you can enjoy everything from gritty reality to far-flung fantasy, from dance ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near EC1
PICK
Host Gallery
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
1 Honduras Street, EC1, London EC1Y
Host was established in 2005 by Jon Levy, director of foto8, and Adrian Evans, director of Panos Pictures. Photojournalism - from classical black and white reportage ... More
 
 
 
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Magnum Photos
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
63 Gee Street, EC1, London EC1V
The London gallery for renowned photo agency, Magnum. Representing the best in photography, The Magnum Photos selection process for new members is legendary for its toughness. ... More
 
 
 
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Barbican - Curve Gallery
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
Ground Level, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC1, London EC2Y
Part of the Barbican Centre for arts and conferences the Curve Gallery, situated on the ground floor, has changing exhibitions of photography, art and design. ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's EC1
PICK
Barbican Chimes Music Shop
London > Shopping > Music Shops
Cromwell Tower, Silk Street, EC1, London EC2Y
Tucked away near the Barbican multi-arts centre and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Chimes Music is in illustrious company. Since opening in 1983 ... More
 
 
 
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Farm Collective
London > Shopping > Food and Drink Shops
91 Cowcross Street, EC1, London EC1M
Its location opposite Smithfield Market is a very appropriate spot for the Farm Collective to set up shop. Working with select farmers and small producers, this outlet ... More
 
 
 
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Smithfield Market
London > Shopping > Markets
West Smithfield, EC1, London EC1A
For tenants of Smithfield Market getting up in the dark is the nothing out of the ordinary; with the market opening at 4am these hard ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near EC1 London?
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Timberyard, Old Street
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
61-67 Old Street, EC1, London EC1V
Attempting to re-invent the coffee shop experience, Timberyard is a modern café that combines speciality tea, coffee and artisan food with the latest technology. Spread across ... More
 
 
 
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Look Mum No Hands!
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
49 Old Street, EC1, London EC1V
This cycle repair shop crossed with a cafe is the perfect hang-out for two wheel enthusiasts. Combining coffee and cycling Look Mum No Hands! on Old ... More
 
 
 
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Nusa Kitchen
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
9 Old Street, EC1, London EC1V
All the food sold from this small but excellent cafe, launched in 2004, is made on-site using natural and organic ingredients. You can tell it's good ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Pubs

The best pubs in or near London EC1.
PICK
The Hat & Feathers
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
2 Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, EC1, London EC1M
... More
 
 
 
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Fox & Anchor
London > Nightlife > Pubs
115 Charterhouse Street, EC1, London EC1M
This renovated traditional pub in the heart of Clerkenwell has been serving the traders of nearby Smithfields Market for years. Under the Malmaison umbrella - the ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Well
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
180 St John Street, EC1, London EC1V
Everything about our meal at this superb gastropub in Clerkenwell was brilliant, from the towering pint'o'prawns ordered to start, to the grins plastered over our faces ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Nightlife

EC1 clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
PICK
Artillery Arms
London > Nightlife > Bars
102 Bunhill Row, EC1, London EC1Y
... More
 
 
 
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The Longroom
London > Nightlife > Bars
18-20 St. John Street, EC1, London EC1M
Situated in the heart of Clerkenwell, next door to St John and Smithfield Market, The Longroom specialises in craft beers, salt beef and gourmet sandwiches. Described ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Vinoteca
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
7 St John Street, Clerkenwell, EC1, London EC1M
Wine bars in the UK were given a bad name in the 1980s but places like this show us how it should be done. Both the ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Leisure

EC1 gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
PICK
London Dance Academy
London > Leisure > The Basement, 49-51 Central Street, EC1, London EC1V
London Dance Academy is a dance studio in the middle of the City, five minutes' walk from Old Street and Barbican, which offers dance classes and ... More
 
 
 
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London Fencing Club
London > Leisure > Sports Facilities
Norman Street, EC1, London EC1V
Excellent fencing courses for beginners with highly trained coaches, good facilities and years of experience teaching this ancient, noble sport. Fencing is very good fun and ... More
 
 
 
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Postman's Park
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
King Edward Street, EC1, London EC4M
Bounded in by surrounding office buildings, Postman's Park's appeal lies in what it symbolises as much as how it looks. Located just north of St Paul's ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Education

in or near EC1
PICK
LSO St Luke's
London > Education > Professional Training
161 Old Street, EC1, London EC1V
This gorgeous 18th century Grade I listed Hawksmoor church is one of a number of London churches which has, in recent years, been converted into a ... More
 
 
 
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City Journalism
London > Education > Professional Training
106 Bunhill Row, EC1, London EC1Y
City’s Print Journalism course is recognised as the best in London. Although places like Goldsmith’s are trendier, City is respected in the industry thanks to a ... More
 
 
 
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London Wine Academy
London > Education > Evening Classes
Garden Floor, 6 Coldbath Square, EC1, London EC1R
One day workshops, offering a friendly no-nonsense approach to teaching about wine, suitable for everyone from beginners to experts. Courses take place at the following venues: Atlas PH, ... More
 
 
 

EC1 Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near EC1.
PICK
London Symphony Orchestra St Luke's
London > Business > Venue Hire
161 Old Street, EC1, London EC1V
... More
 
 
 
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The Brewery
London > Business > Venue Hire
Chiswell Street, EC1, London EC1Y
While the City of London is not short of modern, flexible event-spaces, not many can claim to be located in a Grade II listed building, or ... More
 
 
 
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Barbican Conference Centre
London > Business > Venue Hire
Silk Street, EC1, London EC2Y
The Barbican Centre is the jewel in London's artistic crown, with its theatres, concert halls, art galleries and cinema providing a year-round programme of ... More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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