London’s Alleys: Albemarle Way, EC1

This is a Clerkenwell alley that seems likely to owe its origins to the dissolution of the monasteries and the sell-off of their land.

London’s Alleys: Red Cow Yard, EC1

This is an exceptionally short stump of an alley on Old Street that resembles a post-war gap where a house wasn't rebuilt until you spot the street name sign and realise it's the remains of a once slightly longer passage.

London’s Pocket Parks: St Johns’ Cloister Garden, EC1

This is an easy to miss garden in Clerkenwell hidden away behind a high wall and although it looks like its part of the neighbouring church, it's actually fairly modern -- the result of post WWII clearance.

Visit the Italian Church in London

Sometimes described as "one of the most beautiful churches in London", this is not just a church that follows the Italian Catholic faith, but is in fact the Italian church in London.

London’s Alleys: Jerusalem Passage, EC1

This short passageway owes its origins to the Clerkenwell Priory that dominated the area and was home to the Monastic Order of the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem (and try saying that in a hurry).

Making Clerkenwell Green even greener 

Clerkenwell Green, a roundabout near Farringdon station is to get somewhat greener soon as Islington council starts a refurbishment of the area.

London’s Alleys: Bath Court, EC1

This is a Clerkenwell alley that has survived many attempts to remove it and today snakes between a posh hotel and into a private car park.

London’s Alleys: Sans Walk, EC1

This is a winding narrow passageway through Clerkenwell that borders a notorious prison and site of a terrorist attack.

See a model railway on Old Street

A few months ago, a large office window in Old Street gained a large model railway.

London’s Pocket Parks: Calthorpe Community Garden, WC1

This community park and allotments on Grays Inn Road is a legacy of campaigning to prevent an office block from being built here.

The 19th century Brewers Buildings, Clerkenwell

A narrow side street in Clerkenwell lined with small houses is also home to a magnificent example of 19th-century philanthropic housing.

Clerkenwell toilets hoardings turned into “art”

A couple of years ago, a screen of black wooden hoardings surrounded a disused toilet on Clerkenwell Green, and recently they became an ironic art installation.

The anniversary of the last public execution in the UK

Today marks the anniversary of the last public execution in the UK, of Michael Barrett who was found - dubiously - guilty of the Clerkenwell bombing.

London’s Alleys: Turk’s Head Yard, EC1

This rather shabby looking car park of an alley is a lingering remnant of a time when the area was filled with old warehouses and factories.

London’s Alleys: Hayward’s Place, EC1

This is a former road now split into a road and a pedestrianised footpath, linked by a covered walkway to St John's Street, and the site of the former Red Bull Theatre.

London’s Alleys: White Horse Alley, EC1

This short little alley certainly brings home the bacon, as conceals a vast modern courtyard, which was until recently the old Danish Bacon warehouse.

London’s Alleys: Herbal Hill, EC1

A fairly steep little passageway that's wide enough to be a road, was originally an extension of Saffron Hill to the south.

London’s Alleys: Hat and Mitre Court, EC1

One of the joys of London are the alleys with wonderful names, and this is perfect example of one that can be found near Clerkenwell.

London’s Alleys: Passing Alley, EC1

When all around Clerkenwell was fields and churches, a path ran through the cornflowers. Today where all is built up, that ancient path still carves a narrow path through the buildings.

London’s Pocket Parks: St John’s Churchyard, EC1

This is a tiny little pocket park that should have me delighting in its planting, but actually has me dispirited at the missed opportunity.

London’s Pocket Parks: St John’s Garden, EC1

This small park near to Farringdon station is unsurprisingly, a former church graveyard, but also the site of a tumultuous period of English history.

London’s Pocket Parks: 15 Clerkenwell Close

This may be the best-hidden pocket park in London, or maybe I wandered onto private property, it's not entirely easy to be sure which.

London’s Pocket Parks – Percival Triangle, EC1

A patch of council housing in Clerkenwell has been recently improved by replacing concrete and cars with grasses and greenery.

The church still recovering from WW2 damage

In leafy Clerkenwell is a mighty church that externally looks as polite as a Clerkenwell church should look, but inside is still showing the massive scars left by WW2.