Smithfield – “the
smooth field” – was the site of a livestock market dating from the medieval
era, and of the annual Cloth Fair held around St Bartholomew’s Day. It is
outside the area of the City of London destroyed by the Great Fire of London of
1666, so has some very old buildings, including the oldest church in London.
The nearest Underground
station is Barbican. From Aldersgate, walk along Long Lane and you will
soon see Smithfield Market. We will meet at West Smithfield garden, a small
circular city park in front of the market building.
Summary of the day:
- Meet at 11 am at West Smithfield garden in front of Smithfield Market
- Meet at 1 pm in the same place
- Meet at 3.30 pm either at the West Smithfield garden if dry or the Rising Sun pub on Cloth Fair if wet
Smithfield is an area
of varied history, and rapid change, and offers a great mix of subjects to
draw:
Smithfield Market is a large Victorian building (see top image) completed in
1867 (architect Horace Jones), a wholesale meat market (trading Monday to
Friday). At the southwest end are disused
buildings, formerly a general market, which have been acquired for redevelopment
as a new location for the Museum
of London
St Bartholomew’s Hospital has stood on this site since 1123, and some of the existing buildings date from the eighteenth century. The hospital complex includes St Bartholomew the Less church (unlikely to be open), and a courtyard with a fountain and plenty of seats. The hospital’s Henry Vlll Gate is on West Smithfield .
Memorials: Smithfield
was for centuries a site of execution.
Memorials alongside the hospital include one to William Wallace,
Scottish leader executed in 1305
St Bartholomew the Great church: the oldest church in London , interesting interior and exterior, admission
charge, open 10.30 am to 4 pm
The Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court,
down Giltspur Street
Postman’s Park and St Botolph Aldersgate, down Little Britain. The park includes G. F. Watts’ Memorial to
Heroic Self-Sacrifice
The Museum of London on the junction of
Aldersgate and London Wall, free admission, open 10 am to 6 pm
I have listed quite a
few options as the impact of building work in the area is unpredictable.
Wet weather options include the interior of St
Bartholomew the Great, interiors of pubs and cafes, and the Museum of London
Facilities: Old pubs are characteristic of the area, although not all open on
Saturday. The Rising Sun, 38 Cloth Fair,
the Old Red Cow, 71 Long Lane, the Fox and Anchor, 115 Charterhouse, should be
open, also Carluccio café on West Smithfield and cafes near the tube station
and the Museum of
London
This day is organised by Jo Dungey.
