House of Detention  

 
 
ADDRESS
Sans Walk, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 0LT
 
 

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  • Visitor Information

The House of Detention gets its name from its former purpose - as a prison - and there has been a prison on this site since 1616. By the mid-19th century the House of Detention was rebuilt - the series of spooky tunnels and passageways that can be explored today date from its last rebuilding in 1844 - and used as a holding prison for those awaiting trial. The prison was demolished in 1890 to make way for Hugh Myddleton School but beneath the playground an entire underground section of the older building survived and lay undisturbed until the bombs of the Blitz saw it reopened as an air-raid shelter. After World War II it was again largely forgotten until, in 1993, it became a museum. The House of Detention closed its doors to the public in 2000 and part of the building has been redeveloped into flats while Clerkenwell Design Week uses other parts of the building as an exhibition space.

 

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Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
1 Kings Cross Road, WC1X | 7 minutes from House of Detention
Halfway between the City and the west End, the Bloomsbury area is an oasis of calm in the very heart of the capital. It's a lovely ... More
 
 
 
Rosewood London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
252 High Holborn, WC1V | 13 minutes from House of Detention
Located in High Holborn, Rosewood London is the most luxurious hotel in the area and is nearby to the capital's main business district and a number ... More
 
 
 
Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
Coram Street, WC1N | 16 minutes from House of Detention
This is a smart, modern hotel located in one of the Capital's oldest and most beautiful areas. Bloomsbury is a great place to stay since it's ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Crypt On The Green, St James'
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 1 minute from House of Detention
The Crypt on the Green, underneath St James Church in Clerkenwell, is on the site of the first nunnery to be built in London dating back ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
St Bartholomew the Great
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
West Smithfield, Clerkenwell, London EC1A | 9 minutes from House of Detention
St Bartholomew the Great is a historic church founded in 1123 and the oldest parish church in the City of London. Features include the pre-Reformation octagonal ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Islington Metal Works
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
7 Torrens Street, Islington, London EC1V | 11 minutes from House of Detention
Built in the late 19th century, The Islington Metalworks is a building steeped in history. All three floors were initially used to stable the horses that ... More
 
 
 
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Sights and Attractions near House of Detention

The best museums, galleries, attractions near House of Detention
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Werkstatt
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
7-9 Woodbridge Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 1 minute from House of Detention
The Werkstatt - meaning workshop in German - is a workshop for international designers and architects to meet, be inspired, play and create. A showcase for ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Exmouth Market
London > Attractions > Other Attractions
Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 3 minutes from House of Detention
A rich hunting ground for restaurants and bars, Exmouth Market twinkles under the fairy lights that zig-zag overhead across the scenic pedestrianised street. Hip hang outs ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
St John's Cloister Garden
London > Attractions >
St John's Lane, EC1M | 4 minutes from House of Detention
A hidden public garden within the 16th century Museum of the Order of St John.... More
 
 
 
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Entertainment near House of Detention

Near House of Detention
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Piano Works
London > Entertainment > Live Music
113-117 Farringdon Road, EC1R | 2 minutes from House of Detention
Housed in an intimately lit Victorian warehouse, The Piano Works is a non-stop live music venue where in-house musicians take centre ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Theatre Delicatessen
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Guardian House, 119 Farringdon Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 3 minutes from House of Detention
Taking over the old Guardian building in Farringdon and filling it with rehearsal rooms and performance spaces, Theatre Delicatessen not only takes an entrepreneurial approach to ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Theatre Delicatessen
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Guardian House, 119 Farringdon Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 3 minutes from House of Detention
Taking over the old Guardian building in Farringdon and filling it with rehearsal rooms and performance spaces, Theatre Delicatessen not only takes an entrepreneurial approach to ... More
 
 
 
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Shopping near House of Detention

The best shops and markets near House of Detention
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
ec one Exmouth Market
London > Shopping > Jewellery
41 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 4 minutes from House of Detention
Established in Clerkenwell in 1997, EC One jewellery has built up a glittering reputation for its individual, stylish jewellery. Husband and wife team Jos and Alison ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
International Magic Shop
London > Shopping > Specialists
89 Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 5 minutes from House of Detention
Superb family-run magic shop, offering props, books and videos for magicians of all abilities. Pick a deck of cards, any deck of cards, from their mysterious ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Leather Lane Market
London > Shopping > Markets
Leather Lane, Holborn, London EC1N | 6 minutes from House of Detention
This down to earth market in Leather Lane is what traditional London street stalls should look like. A bit scruffy it may be but you never ... More
 
 
 
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Restaurants near House of Detention

What are the best dining options near House of Detention London?
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Clerkenwell Kitchen
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
31 Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 1 minute from House of Detention
Canteen-styled daytime cafe which emphasises fresh ingredients from local producers, fair trade, and organic methods. The daily changing menu reflects the available ingredients. Soups, tarts, pasta, ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Dans Le Noir?
London > Restaurants > French restaurants
30-31 Clerkenwell Green, Farringdon, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 2 minutes from House of Detention
French-eclectic cuisine eaten in total darkness.Dining without the distractions, Dans le Noir? is basically just what it says it is - dinner "in the black". Emphasising ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Granger & Co Clerkenwell
London > Restaurants > Pan-Asian restaurants
The Buckley Building, 49 Clerkenwell Green, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 2 minutes from House of Detention
"It feels very much an east London concept in a west London setting," commented Jasmine Gardner in the Evening Standard when Granger & Co first opened ... More
 
 
 
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Education near House of Detention

Near House of Detention
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings
London > Education > Cookery Courses
Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, 42 Northampton Road, EC1R | 2 minutes from House of Detention
Featuring six catering stations, a demonstration bench and a communal dining table, B&H Kitchen , the cookery school from Bourne & Hollingsworth Group, guides Londoners ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
London Wine Academy
London > Education > Evening Classes
Garden Floor, 6 Coldbath Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 4 minutes from House of Detention
One day workshops, offering a friendly no-nonsense approach to teaching about wine, suitable for everyone from beginners to experts. Courses take place at the following venues: Atlas PH, ... More
 
 
 
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Career Energy
London > Education > Career Services
4-6 Staple Inn, Holborn, London WC1V | 9 minutes from House of Detention
Situated in the heart of London, Career Energy – formed in March 2002 - offers comprehensive advice on careers, career change and job searching. They’ll analyse ... More
 
 
 
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Leisure near House of Detention

House of Detention gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Spa Fields Park
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 2 minutes from House of Detention
A busy park in Islington beside the Three Corners Centre youth centre and Adventure Playground, the 2.02 acre Spa Fields include a children's playground, tarmac ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
My Chocolate Workshops
London > Leisure > Activities
Hatton Square Business Centre, 16-16a Baldwin Gardens, Holborn, London EC1N | 6 minutes from House of Detention
Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate with this mouth-watering workshop. You will discover how chocolate is processed from bean to bar. Sample a variety of ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
London Dance Academy
London > Leisure >
The Basement, 49-51 Central Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V | 8 minutes from House of Detention
London Dance Academy is a dance studio in the middle of the City, five minutes' walk from Old Street and Barbican, which offers dance classes and ... More
 
 
 
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Pubs near House of Detention

The best pubs near London House of Detention.
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Three Kings
London > Nightlife > Pubs
7 Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 1 minute from House of Detention
Tucked away down a Clerkenwell backstreet next to the graveyard of St James Church, The Three Kings is popular with the locals and a real find for ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Crown Tavern
London > Nightlife > Pubs
43 Clerkenwell Green, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 1 minute from House of Detention
Hideaway snugs where Stalin and Lenin held secret meetings and real ales make the Crown Tavern a popular ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Well
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
180 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V | 3 minutes from House of Detention
Everything about our meal at this superb gastropub in Clerkenwell was brilliant, from the towering pint'o'prawns ordered to start, to the grins plastered over our faces ... More
 
 
 
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Nightlife near House of Detention

House of Detention clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Ghost Farringdon
London > Nightlife >
113-117 Farringdon Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1R | 2 minutes from House of Detention
Most people's gripe about South Ken's graffiti chic venue Ghost INC is that it would be better suited to the edgier East End than the haughty ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Vinoteca
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
7 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Clerkenwell, London EC1M | 6 minutes from House of Detention
Wine bars in the UK were given a bad name in the 1980s but places like this show us how it should be done. Both the ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Longroom
London > Nightlife > Bars
18-20 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1M | 6 minutes from House of Detention
Situated in the heart of Clerkenwell, next door to St John and Smithfield Market, The Longroom specialises in craft beers, salt beef and gourmet sandwiches. Described ... More
 
 
 
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Meeting venue hire near House of Detention

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course near House of Detention.
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Museum of the Order of St John
London > Business > Venue Hire
St. Johns Gate, 26 St. John's Lane, Clerkenwell, London EC1M | 4 minutes from House of Detention
The Museum of the Order of St John tells the story of the St John's Ambulance from within a 16th century gatehouse which was formerly the ... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
The Rookery
London > Business > Venue Hire
Peter's Lane, Cowcross Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1M | 6 minutes from House of Detention
... More
 
 
 
Editor's Top Pick - Recommended
Bleeding Heart Yard
London > Business > Venue Hire
Bleeding Heart Yard, off Greville Street, Farringdon, Clerkenwell, London EC1N | 6 minutes from House of Detention
... More
 
 
 
 
 

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