Stake out Smithfield and be brutal at the Barbican

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS ON A FRIDAY.

Due to the small spaces of the two museums/church, this event is limited to 15 spaces, so please stay on the attendee/waiting list only if you can make it. Thank you. 

A wander from St Paul’s taking in Smithfield meat market and Clerkenwell, visiting The Charterhouse Museum/Chapel, Order of St John Gatehouse Museum and Barbican Curve gallery/estate.

We’ll also explore St Bartholomew the Great church and hidden gardens and squares north of St Paul’s Cathedral around Farringdon and Clerkenwell.

There will be time for a quick lunch (around 30 minutes), and probably drinks at the end.

Please note that all sights/museums have free entry. You may wish to give a donation to the museums and churches we visit as we will not be taking the paid/pre-booked tours.

The sights 

We won’t be guided around each place, but will have time to explore and meet up at the end of each visit to move on, and I will introduce each sight.

St Bartholomew the Great church https://www.greatstbarts.com/visit

This is the oldest surviving church in the City from Norman times. It oozes atmosphere, but was also the setting for Charles’s non wedding to “Duckface” in Four Weddings and a Funeral. There is Damien Hirst’s brutal reminder of the grisly end of St Bartholomew (he was skinned alive) and a more picturesque half timbered gatehouse. Ironically, it stands next to St Bart’s Hospital and the well known execution site at Smithfield and its meat market (1327 to likely closure in 2028).

Order of St John and Gatehouse Museum https://museumstjohn.org.uk

Now best known for St John’s Ambulance, the military Order of St John was founded in Jerusalem and established the priory in Clerkenwell. We will visit the museum at St John’s Gatehouse (free entry). Please note we will not visit the church, crypt and historic rooms which are only seen on a pre-booked paid tour.

The Charterhouse Museum and Chapel https://thecharterhouse.org/explore-the-charterhouse/

The Charterhouse (almshouse) is still home to the religious Brothers, having been established as a monastery in 1348 as well as founding Charterhouse school (now in Surrey). We will visit the museum and Chapel (free entry), which were opened to the public in 2017 for the first time. Please note that we will not take the organised tour of the grounds/other buildings.

Barbican Estate and Curve

The Barbican is now Grade 2 listed and the 2000 flat estate arose from the ruins of bombed London, with the arts centre opening in 1982. I will take you on an exploration of the Brutalist architecture and the terraces. We should have time for the free exhibition - https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/citra-sasmita .

New Members

New members are very welcome. Please message me if you have any questions or concerns before the day. Whilst we are a very open and welcoming group, if you wish, we may be able to organise an existing member to buddy up with you before or on the day. Do also feel free to arrive early as I’m always around much earlier than the start time. 

Dogs

Sorry, no dogs are permitted at these sights.

IMPORTANT! – Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.

(All images were taken by Alex Young. Note that the aerial view photos are for illustration only and we will be at ground level.)