Clerkenwell

Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell Green and St James's Church
Clerkenwell Location within Greater London
Population	11,490 (2011 Census. Ward)[1]
OS grid reference	TQ315825
London borough	Islington Camden
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	EC1
Postcode district	WC1
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
UK Parliament	Islington South and Finsbury Holborn and St Pancras
London Assembly	North East Barnet and Camden
List of places UK England London 51°31′34″N 0°06′13″W / 51.52604°N 0.103475°W / 51.52604; -0.103475

Clerkenwell (/ˈklɑːrkənwɛl/) is an area of central London, England.

Clerkenwell was an ancient parish from the medieval period onwards, and now forms the south-western part of the London Borough of Islington. The church of St James in Clerkenwell Close and nearby Clerkenwell Green sit at the centre of Clerkenwell. Located on the edge of the City of London, it was the home of the Priory of St John and the site of a number of wells and spas, including Sadlers Wells and Spa Green. The well after which the area was named was rediscovered in 1924.

The Marquess of Northampton owned much of the land in Clerkenwell, reflected in placenames such as Northampton Square, Spencer Street and Compton Street.

The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance, particularly in the area around Northampton Square.^[2] In the 20th century, Clerkenwell became known as a centre for architecture and design.

Clerkenwell is home to City University and the Royal Mail's Mount Pleasant sorting office. It includes the neighbourhoods of Farringdon and Exmouth Market.