Cloth Fair
Encyclopedia
Cloth Fair is a street in the City of London
, England. It was the site where medieval merchants gathered to buy and sell material during Bartholomew Fair
. It is a short residential street to the east of Smithfield
in the north-western part of the City of London and part of Farringdon Within
ward.
The street runs south-west to north-east from Little Britain
, the very start of the A1
, the country’s longest named road, parallel to Long Lane to the north and St Bartholomew-the-Great
Anglican church to the south, until it merges with Middle Street some 150 yards (137.14 m) later.
The street was originally within the precincts of the Priory of St Bartholomew's, and until 1910 formed a separate Liberty
, with gates that were shut at night. Such a small area could not meet the demands of installing street lighting and sewers, and rejoined the City. The area has a rich history, a colourful past and proud literary tradition
it contains within its short boundaries the oldest residential dwelling in London, a pair of properties administered by the Landmark Trust
, a peaceful local
and the former home of John Betjeman
, now a restaurant.
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, England. It was the site where medieval merchants gathered to buy and sell material during Bartholomew Fair
Bartholomew Fair
Bartholomew Fayre: A Comedy is a comedy in five acts by Ben Jonson, the last written of his four great comedies. It was first staged on October 31, 1614 at the Hope Theatre by the Lady Elizabeth's Men...
. It is a short residential street to the east of Smithfield
Smithfield, London
Smithfield is an area of the City of London, in the ward of Farringdon Without. It is located in the north-west part of the City, and is mostly known for its centuries-old meat market, today the last surviving historical wholesale market in Central London...
in the north-western part of the City of London and part of Farringdon Within
Farringdon Within
Farringdon Within is a ward in the City of London, England.The ward covers an area from Blackfriars, in the south, to Barbican station, in the north....
ward.
The street runs south-west to north-east from Little Britain
Little Britain, London
Little Britain is a street in the City of London running from St. Martin's Le Grand in the east to West Smithfield in the west. It is the northern boundary of St Bartholomew's Hospital and is situated in the Aldersgate and Farringdon Within wards. Postman's Park is situated by Little...
, the very start of the A1
A1 road (London)
The A1 road in London is an A road in North London. It runs from London Wall to Bignell's Corner, where it crosses the M25 and becomes the A1 motorway, alternating with the A1 as it continues to Edinburgh. The London section of the road passes through four London Boroughs: the City of London,...
, the country’s longest named road, parallel to Long Lane to the north and St Bartholomew-the-Great
St Bartholomew-the-Great
The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great is an Anglican church located at West Smithfield in the City of London, founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123 -History:...
Anglican church to the south, until it merges with Middle Street some 150 yards (137.14 m) later.
The street was originally within the precincts of the Priory of St Bartholomew's, and until 1910 formed a separate Liberty
Liberty
Liberty is a moral and political principle, or Right, that identifies the condition in which human beings are able to govern themselves, to behave according to their own free will, and take responsibility for their actions...
, with gates that were shut at night. Such a small area could not meet the demands of installing street lighting and sewers, and rejoined the City. The area has a rich history, a colourful past and proud literary tradition
it contains within its short boundaries the oldest residential dwelling in London, a pair of properties administered by the Landmark Trust
Landmark Trust
The Landmark Trust is a British building conservation charity, founded in 1965 by Sir John and Lady Smith, that rescues buildings of historic interest or architectural merit and then gives them a new life by making them available for holiday rental...
, a peaceful local
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
and the former home of John Betjeman
John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
, now a restaurant.