Frugal City Guide: Clerkenwell

Jeans: £44.95, Gap. Coat: £198, Jigsaw. Shirt: £29.99, Zara. Bag: £170, M Hulot. Boots: Tabitha Simmons (old but buy similar in the LK Bennett sale here)

24 hours in one of my favourite parts of London, we thoroughly enjoyed shooting this post! I love the mix of the old city vs the new cool cafes and restaurants, it also has a real creative buzz to it and if coming to London for a minibreak I would definitely put aside some time to visit.

WHERE TO STAY

The Zetter Townhouse

Self described as ‘like the private residence of an eccentric (and fabulous!) Great Aunt’, it is quirky, cosy and very English. The cocktail lounge was buzzing in the evening (and the Bloody Mary was spot on) and our room felt so homely and full of fun knick knacks. It’s not cheap to stay (prices start at £215 a night) but not overpriced either for location and style – pretty much all of our morning activities were a stones throw away (the Modern Pantry is literally next door).

Shirt: £49.99, Zara

WHERE TO BRUNCH

The Modern Pantry

One of my favourite places to meet for brunch or breakfast, its clean grey and white neutral decor, its boiled egg and marmite soldiers, its bonsoy milk capuccinos…

My husband actually ordered the hot cross bun bacon butty which looked possibly tastier than mine but he wouldn’t let me have a bite so that question will go unanswered.

Shirt: £29.99, Zara. Bag: £170, M Hulot

SHOPPING

Clerkenwell is known for its great furniture shops: Vitra and Forest London and I love EC One jewellery on Exmouth Market, but it’s Marby and Elm I wanted to talk you through – a stationery lover’s dream. I’d bought a few stationery sets in Liberty and didn’t realise they had a shop, right opposite our hotel. I love their use of typography and neon:

WHERE TO STOP FOR COFFEE

Workshop

Coffee is such a thing, now, isn’t it? We’re so snobby and wouldn’t dare waste it on a poor cup now. This place is just up the road from The Zetter Townhouse (I have probably walked about 50 steps so far on this city guide) and the coffee hits just the spot.

FOR A SPOT OF CULTURE

Charles Dickens Museum

For door porn alone, it’s worth a visit. But seriously, this house is in keeping to Dickens’ time with original furniture, and is well worth a visit. The house (partnered with London Walking Tours) also does Dickensian Walks Wednesdays at 11:30am for £10, which I’m very interested in.

I also love the Barbican, not technically Clerkenwell but it is just up the road and there are loads of affordable as well as free things to do. We went to the Imran Qureshi exhibition, it’s totally free and lovely to see the intricacies of his miniature paintings and let your mind unwind for a bit. And on selected Sundays, the conservatory is a wonderful world of greenery.

WHERE TO EAT

Where do I start? Definitely head to Exmouth Market – Moro is fantastic, as is Caravan for brunch. We are yet to get a reservation at acclaimed Sushi Tetsu (again 2 minutes from Zetter) – but hoping for a birthday treat.

Exmouth Market

We tried Granger & Co on Sekforde Street for lunch, as recommended by citizenMag – great smoothies, delicious salads and if you’re after something a little unhealthier, like a shrimp burger (which sadly, I often am), then they do that too.

So next time you want to visit our capital (or just fancy a London staycation), Clerkenwell it is.

Jeans: £44.95, Gap. Coat: £198, Jigsaw. Shirt: £29.99, Zara. Boots: Tabitha Simmons (old but buy similar in the LK Bennett sale here)

We stayed one night complimentary at The Zetter Townhouse in order to compile this City Guide – I hope you enjoyed it.