The Clink!

The Clink!

This is another of Londons little places hidden away that you must go visit or at least walk round the area in is in. It is tucked away near to London Bridge and Southwark Cathederal and also near to Borough market. It is a small museum but it is on the site where there has been a prison of some kind or another since the year 860. At that time there would only have been one small cell. In 1076 punishements were listed and prisoners could expect to have solitary confinement, scourging with rods (sounds painful!) and only bread a water.

The prisoners had the most awful treatment but if they had relations or friends who were well off then they could expect a slightly better time. Jailers were poorly paid themselves and taking money for various things helped them and their families. Candles, bedding, beds etc were hired out to those who were rich enough to afford it. Lighter leg irons were fitted, brothels were allowed to be run from inside the prison to pay for improvements within the building.

Nowdays the prison site has been turned into a museum complete with models of the prisoners and sound effects. Very eerie indeed but well worth a visit but don't take anyone of a nervous disposition along!

Just for you G.S.

Borough Market

Borough Market is the most wonderful place!

From the outside it just looks like some other run down place in London. When you venture inside you are met with the most wonderful atmosphere and on market day the most wonderful smells and sights.

This market was probably the first food market in London. First used as a market as far back as the Roman occupation. The market still trades as a wholesale market every night (except Saturday) from 2am - 8am. Shoppers such as you and I are able to buy the most wonderful things there on Thursdays 11am - 5pm, Fridays 12pm - 6pm and Saturdays 9am - 4pm.

This is the inside of the market after everyone has shut up and gone home. It is full of little open shops all displaying boards offering for sale their wonderful, mostly organic and home grown goods.

Does that sound good or what?!! Cumberland bacon and hams....I really must try those.

As you can see it is a pretty eerie place at night and you can just imagine how it must have been 200 years ago. By day it takes on a competely different feel and is now very trendy and busy. There are now more markets that have sprung up in the streets joining the market and these too are very much worth a visit.

While visiting the market you can of course visit the river Thames as the market is on the rivers bank right at London bridge. Southwark cathedral is also within 5 minutes walk. This cathedral is the oldest Gothic building in London. Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hinde is also within 5 minutes walk along with the Tate Modern and Shakespheares Globe too! The Clink prison is also nearby (more of that later!) and again within walking distance.

A great place to visit for the day...there is so much you can do without travelling too far!