UPCOMING EVENTS
2026
THE DARK SIDE OF CLERKENWELL | Guided Tour – XMAS SPECIAL!
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THE DARK SIDE OF CLERKENWELL
TALES OF CRIME & DEATH
Clerkenwell may have been crowned the best place to live in London in 2024 by The Times, but behind today’s calm streets lies a far darker past. Between the 18th and early 20th centuries, Clerkenwell was one of the most dangerous corners of London—a place where poverty, crime, and death walked hand in hand.
Once a thriving hub of industry, Clerkenwell drew in waves of migrants seeking work. But the promises of the Industrial Revolution soon gave way to grim reality: squalid housing, meagre wages, and desperate choices. For many, life narrowed to just two fates—the workhouse or the prison. And in this climate, crime flourished. The district gained a reputation as a den of thieves, pickpockets, and highwaymen, while its slums inspired some of Charles Dickens’ most vivid characters.
From the 17th century onwards, at least four different prisons operated here, packed with thieves, debtors, radicals, and the destitute. The Middlesex House of Correction—infamous for its severity—was once the largest prison in the country. Their looming presence gave rise to the magnificent Sessions House on Clerkenwell Green, for years the busiest courthouse in England.
On this walk we’ll uncover two centuries of Clerkenwell’s hidden history. From the escapades of Jack Sheppard, the infamous 18th-century thief and master of escape, to the rise of the Italian gangs of the Sabinis and the Cortesis, Clerkenwell’s streets echo with tales both thrilling and chilling.
If you want to discover the side of Clerkenwell that Londoners once feared, join me on this walk. Don’t worry—you’ll be safe.
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
Guided Tour – Returning Spring 2026
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Follow Clerkenwell’s hidden waters – How springs, spas and a river made Clerkenwell
From the vanished River Fleet to holy wells, monastic precincts, spas and pleasure gardens, this walk explores how water shaped Clerkenwell across the centuries. We’ll trace the Fleet from medieval river to buried sewer, discover why this area was full of breweries, distilleries and two powerful religious houses, and see how a single well gave Clerkenwell its name. We’ll also look at London’s first commercial aqueduct and the days when 17th–18th century Londoners came north for clean air, chalybeate waters and entertainment. Finally, I’ll share my research from the Black Mary Project (funded by the Mayor of London and Arts Council England) and take you to the spot where Black Mary’s well once stood.
It’s a walk about water, yes – but really it’s about how water shaped settlement, work, faith and pleasure in Clerkenwell.
Starts at Farringdon Station and ends at Sadler’s wells. Duration: 2 hours.
THE BLACK MARY PROJECT AT THE WELLCOME COLLECTION
Thirst: In Search of Freshwater
26 June 2025 – 1 February 2026 | Free admission
The Black Mary team at the opening evening
The Black Mary Project, which explores the story of Mary Woolaston, 17th-century Black well keeper and healer in London, is currently featured at the Wellcome Collection in Camden until the 1st February 2026.
THIRST delves into the relationship between humanity and fresh water across time and all over the world. It is divided into five thematic zones: Aridity, Rain, Glaciers, Surface Water, and Groundwater. It combines over 125 historical artefacts, artworks, science and indigenous knowledge.
In Thirst, the Black Mary Project transforms a historical fragment into a vibrant act of remembrance and care, reinforcing the exhibition’s core message: freshwater is not just a physical resource—it is a vessel of stories, resilience, wellness, and communal memory.
For more information visit Thirst: In Search of Freshwater | Wellcome Collection
About History From Below
History From Below was founded in 2024 by me, Emanuela—a qualified Clerkenwell and Islington Guide with a lifelong passion for London’s social history.
Originally from Italy, I have lived in London for over 20 years and trained in Art History before turning my focus to uncovering the hidden stories of the city.
My work explores the lives of ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) people who shaped London over the centuries.
In 2023, I joined the Black Mary Project as local historian and researcher. This initiative re-imagines the story of Mary Woolaston, a Black woman said to have run a healing well in Clerkenwell in the 17th century. The project is funded by the Mayor of London’s Untold Stories Fund, the Arts Council and is also supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Black Womxn in Theatre, and Camden Council. Our work is now showcased at the Wellcome Collection until February 2026.
I specialise in guided walks of Clerkenwell, one of London’s earliest parishes beyond the city walls and one of its richest districts for social and cultural history.
I have recently led walks for Islington Heritage and Islington Museum, including ‘Water, Water Everywhere’ (marking the centenary of the rediscovery of the Clerks’ Well), ‘Undercurrent’ (on the role of water and the river Fleet in shaping Clerkenwell), and ‘Inspirational Women of Clerkenwell’ (for International Women’s Day).
Through my tours I aim to bring history to life—revealing not only the grand narratives but also the untold stories of those who lived, worked, and struggled in these streets.
Historic England
Alongside this, I am a Community Curator with Historic England, working on the Greater London Historic Environment Record—a key resource that deepens understanding of London’s heritage.
Click GLHER it includes data to promote a better understanding of London’s rich heritage.
I offer public and private guided walks in London, available in both English and Italian.
Join me on a walk to explore the hidden, darker, and more surprising side of London.
You can learn more about my work with the Black Mary Project on my blog and by visiting the links below:
https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/the-hole-truth
https://www.westminsterextra.co.uk/article/the-hole-truth
https://www.gaylenegould.com/blackmaryproject
Historic England GLHER
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Seedy, criminal side of salubrious Clerkenwell revealed.
The theme ‘Dark Side’ threaded through the sites and stories Emanuela brought to life .. IPad images with
animations enhanced the information shared. I do walking tours frequently and this was one of the better ones.
Monica S
Written 17 November 2025