Cloth Fair in the City of London
As those who have followed our travels will know, we spent a pleasant time at a Landmark Trust property near Spitalfields in London last year and decided to revisit the city trying out a new location.
Around the corner from the handsome Victorian buildings of Smithfield Market, Cloth Fair overlooks the churchyard of St Bartholomew the Great, a rare survivor of the Great Fire of 1666.
This plain Georgian row of houses encloses (at No. 41) the only remaining house in the City built before the Fire and was rescued on this basis by architect Paul Paget, who eventually sold the row to Landmark. Here long-established institutions, trades, houses, markets and peoples mingle just as they have always done. Set, as they always were, above businesses below, our two houses each have a respectable staircase, pleasant rooms and nice old joinery - wonderful bases from which to explore the whole of London.
Sheila and I booked No 43 Cloth Fair. It occupies the first and second floors and has a small roof terrace, No. 43 was long the London home of Sir John Betjeman and still looks much as it did when he lived here including the wallpaper in the sitting room, a William Morris design called Acorn. Of course, the library is now filled with his writings as it feels very appropriate that an organisation that cares for historic buildings looks after the home of someone who championed the cause in the UK.
Alas, just as we were leaving home we received a telephone call from the Landmark Trust Office to say that the central heating had broken down and a spare part was required. By a lucky coincidence the adjacent similar property was free and we could occupy it. Thats what happened and we stayed nice and cosy at 45.
This blue plaque is on the building where we should have stayed.
You can see it on the side of the property below.
This is 45 where we actually stayed.
Toaster, Microwave, double oven and fridge and loads of hot water.
Comfortable bed with duvet, laundered sheets and white towels.
Shower and Bath
A bookcase full of carefully chosen books relating to the City of London and the life and times of the population
So, as you can see, the property is very comfortable and homely with central heating and lots of specially chosen books in the bookshelf.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing inside this very special home.
As to what there is to do - well, there's lots to do. The church of St Bartholemew the Great is just opposite the property and please check HERE to see its magnificence.
Alternatively have a look at The Barbican HERE
OR
If you fancy a walk then look what's available HERE
If you are fed up with all that then press HERE TO GET BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE
Thanks for visiting.