Fun, fashionable and bustling with activity, Farringdon is one of few places where the lawyers and barristers of Holborn can be found rubbing shoulders with the creatives of Clerkenwell. Sadly, as vibrant as this district is, in the run-up to the holiday season it is often left overlooked by foreign and domestic tourists in favour of its well-trodden neighbours like Covent Garden and Soho.

However, this status-quo has changed in recent years. Today, Farringdon has shaken off the more corporate image that once stifled visits during the capital’s festive travel season. Nestled between the rows of carefully preserved historic sites that have made the neighbourhood so popular with sightseers, you’ll find a wealth of boutique shops, gastronomic hotspots, chic nightlife destinations and authentic British heritage.

History

Map of Farringdon Ward Without, 1750

If you’re among those who are already familiar with the British capital, you may already be aware that our modern-day Farringdon is actually an amalgamation of two different City of London wards. These are namely, Farringdon Within and Farringdon Without. This split comes courtesy of a decision made in 1394 when London was still Londinium – a trading town that fell under Rome’s jurisdiction. The Roman’s defensive London wall cleaved Farringdon clean in two, and a small portion of the wall still stands to this day in Tower Hill.

Where to stay

The local neighbourhood has more than its fair share of lavish short-haul hideaways. Understandably so, given its popularity among business travelers, international students and expatriates to name just a few.

The Hoxton, Holborn

The Hoxton is an open house hotel in the heart of Holborn, that boasts luxurious rooms in four different sizes, Shoebox, Snug, Cosy and Roomy. Each room features bespoke artwork sourced direct from local illustrators.

Rosewood London

Rosewood London Courtyard by Durston Saylor / CC BY-SA 3.0

Rosewood London ranks among the finest luxury hotels in the country. Signposted by the grand archway in its façade, the hotel is somewhat of a local landmark for residents of High Holborn. Inside, each room has the same sophisticated comforts you would expect of a contemporary private residence.

Where to eat

Fox & Anchor

Fox & Anchor exterior, image courtesy of Secret London on Instagram

Low beams, rustic wood paneling and the warm glow of candlelight turn the interior of Fox & Anchor’s classic pub into a whimsical escape from the city with an almost fairytale-like quality. Set just on the edge of the iconic Smithfield Market, it features a seasonal menu of hearty pub food favourites and show-stopping roasts, prepared with exquisite locally sourced ingredients.

Gaucho Smithfield

Gaucho Botomless Beef & Bottle Evenings, image courtesy of Gaucho Group on Instagram

Another neighbour of Smithfield Market, Gaucho Smithfield introduces the area to the authentic flavours of Argentina. The restaurant features an exclusive private dining area for special occasions, and hosts regular ‘Bottomless Beef and Bottle’ evenings, where guests can freely indulge in brilliant steak cuts and free flowing wine.

Where to drink

Ye Olde Mitre Tavern

View towards the front of the Ye Olde Mitre Tavern

One of the oldest pubs in London, Ye Olde Mitre is exceptionally well hidden from prying eyes, quietly tucked away down a secluded alleyway on Ely Court. As a property of the Crown, the building has undergone several rounds of restoration over the years. Today it is home to an impressive range of ales, pies and stews.

The Zetter Townhouse

The Zetter Townhouse Cocktail Lounge

The Zetter Townhouse’s cocktail lounge is designed to make you feel like a guest in the home of a wealthy eccentric rather than the patron of a public bar, and it does just that. Guests are invited to sink into one of the red velvet armchairs as the savour a drinks list of sumptuous cocktails.

Where to shop

Hatton Garden

Whether you’re looking to indulge in high-end retail therapy, bring home an unforgettable gift or pose that all-important question to your significant other, discerning jewellery shoppers need look no further than Hatton Garden! This area is world-famous as London’s jewellery quarter and the heart of the UK’s diamond trade, with over 55 superbly stocked shops and 300 jewellery businesses, representing the largest concentration of jewellery retailers in the country. They offer both modern and vintage designs for wedding rings, engagement rings and exclusive watches, many of which can be had for a fraction of the cost of their designer alternatives.

Talisman rings by De Beers Jewellers

Amongst the many talented artisans in Hatton Garden is world-famous diamond corporation De Beers, historically a superpower in the world diamond trade. One of the more traditional businesses is Heming Jewellers, which has enjoyed regular royal patronage since 1745. All the jewellery shops in Hatton Garden are independently owned, so any purchase made here will be one of a kind.

Aside from jewellery, London’s Historic Diamond District is also hiding a treasure trove below the surface, one that may come as more as a surprise to the uninitiated. One such hidden gem is the River Fleet. The largest subterranean river in London, it is widely held to have once been home to a wharf owned by a group of warrior monks.

Where to buy

Pinks Mews

View towards Holborn Bars from Pinks Mews’ courtyard

Those looking to extend their stay indefinitely need look no further than Pinks Mews. Located on the site of London’s 16th century Dyers Buildings, Pinks Mews is a boutique scheme steeped in British heritage. The development owes its name to the artisan dyers that once occupied the building. Here, they would dye the coats of foxhunters their signature shade of bright red. The developers of Pinks Mews have gone to great lengths to preserve the Victorian architecture of the original building and its surrounding courtyard. In total, the scheme comprises 35 luxury apartments, penthouses and loft-style properties within a gated development set just off of High Holborn.

*This article was written in collaboration with Boutique London. You can read their article here.