Farringdon Area Guide

Farringdon: The Gateway to Innovation and Heritage

Farringdon is a historic neighbourhood between Barbican, Clerkenwell, Holborn, and The City. It's renowned for its vibrant food and drink scene and rich history. Due to its lively yet refined atmosphere, it's often described as "Shoreditch for grown-ups," which appeals particularly to professionals.

The area is divided into Farringdon Within and Farringdon Without, located in the Borough of Islington. Farringdon's boundaries date back to 1394 and encompass areas inside and outside the Roman-built London Wall, a key defensive structure for Londinium, a major trading hub along the River Thames. Some remnants of this wall can still be seen along London Wall Road.

Today, Farringdon blends old and new with its thriving food scene, historic sites, and cultural venues, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors.

Green Spaces

Farringdon offers several peaceful spots:

• Spa Fields Park: A tranquil park with green spaces and walking paths.
• Postman's Park: Known for its beautiful gardens and the Watts Memorial, commemorating heroic acts.
• St James's Church Garden: A tranquil garden with lush greenery and historical tombstones.

Things to Do in Farringdon

• Smithfield Market: London's only remaining wholesale meat market, operating for over 800 years. Best explored early in the morning between midnight and 7 am.
• Hatton Garden: London's jewellery quarter, home to over 300 jewellery businesses, from high-end boutiques to bustling markets.
• Leather Lane Market: A lively spot for street food ranging from British pies to Indian vegetarian delights.
• The Barbican Centre: A cultural hub with cinemas, theatres, concert halls, exhibition spaces, and a conservatory, perfect for culture lovers.
• Postal Museum & Postman's Park: Explore the quirky Postal Museum and the historic 
• Charterhouse Street: A vibrant street, loved by foodies for its cafes and eateries, ideal for lunch or coffee.
• St. John's Gate & Museum: This historic site was once the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller. It is now home to a fascinating museum with medieval maps, manuscripts, and a hidden garden.
• Sadler's Wells Theatre: A world-class venue for contemporary dance, showcasing both local and international performances.
• Bounce Farringdon: A quirky venue offering ping-pong, food, and drinks—perfect for casual get-togethers or office parties.

Restaurants in Farringdon

• Hix Oyster & Chop House: British chef Mark Hix founded this renowned spot for oysters and succulent meat chops.
• Ibérica: A popular tapas restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Nacho Manzano, offering authentic Spanish dishes.
• Luca: A Michelin-starred Italian restaurant focusing on seasonal British ingredients.
• St John: A Michelin-starred eatery specialising in nose-to-tail dining, known for its meats and baked goods.
• Ibai: A top choice for Basque beef, offering some of the best-flavoured cuts in the world.
• St Barts: A Michelin-starred venue with a 13-course British tasting menu paired with wines.
• Cloth: A chic restaurant serving comfort food, like roast chicken and dark chocolate mousse.
• The Quality Chop House: A historic venue with high-quality meats and unique cocktails in a Grade II-listed setting.

Bars in Farringdon

• Space Talk: A listening bar with vintage furnishings and creative cocktails.
• Quality Wines: A wine bar offering natural wines and Mediterranean small plates.
• The Zetter Townhouse: An elegant cocktail lounge inspired by cities worldwide.
• The Winemakers Club: A cosy wine bar with fine wines and a selection of cheeses and charcuterie.
• The Piano Works: A lively venue with a live piano band, audience-requested performances, and crowd-pleasing food and drinks.

Transport

Farringdon is well-connected, with Farringdon Station serving as a key stop on the Elizabeth Line, connecting passengers to Canary Wharf, Abbey Wood, Stratford, Paddington, Heathrow, and more. The Underground station is served by the Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, providing direct access to major National Rail stations like King's Cross, Liverpool Street, and Marylebone. Farringdon is also on the Thameslink route, with trains to Brighton, Cambridge, Peterborough, Gatwick, and Luton airports. Additionally, several bus routes, including the 40, 63, 341, and N63, service the area, making it easy to travel around.

Property in Farringdon

Recent residential developments in Farringdon have turned the area into a sought-after commuter hotspot. The housing options include modern apartments, traditional Victorian homes, and converted warehouses. Property prices have risen thanks to the Elizabeth Line, but its central location and exceptional transport links make it a popular choice for renters and homeowners. Notable developments include:

• 250 City Road
• The Arc
• Barts Square
• 55 Bartholomew Close
• The Denizen
• Pink Mews
• Atlas
• Eagle Point
• Chronicle Tower (AKA The Lexicon)