Short read: Shakespeare, spies, theatres, thieves and murderous plots.
Long read: Welcome to Elizabethan Clerkenwell, a world of playhouses, plots, taverns, thieves and treason.
Today it’s one of London’s smartest neighbourhoods. In Shakespeare’s day, Clerkenwell had a rather different reputation: “a haunt of thieves and whores.” And Shakespeare knew it well.
On this walk we follow the upstart playwright into Elizabethan Clerkenwell, visit the site of a theatre where his plays were performed and call at a pub he may well have known. We’ll discover the parishes and playhouses of this rough-edged corner of London and meet the actors, rogues and conspirators who inhabited it.
And then there’s the Queen.
Elizabeth I survived a reign riddled with intrigue, religious conflict and murderous plots. Clerkenwell has some remarkable surviving links to her story, including three outstanding historic buildings that she herself visited.
Shakespeare and spectacle. Elizabeth and espionage. Plays, parishes and plots. Welcome to Elizabethan Clerkenwell.
SHAKESPEARE, SPIES & MURDEROUS PLOTS – THE PRACTICALS
The Shakespeare, Spies & Murderous Plots walk takes place at 2.30 pm on Sunday, October 11 (2026) and at 10.45 am on Sunday, June 6 (2027). Meet Philip just outside the exit of Angel
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Shakespeare, Spies & Murderous Plots it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Shakespeare, Spies & Murderous Plots walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Aggy –
I utterly enjoyed Phillip’s stories both about Shakespeare and Elizabeth I. It was a pleasant and informative walk.