Clare Market

Butcher Taking a Break, Sitting in Front of Meat Market Premium Photographic Print 12" x 16" $79.99 Unframed

Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of the Strand district with a look at Clare Market:

East of Drury Lane there lies a curious district mainly made up of lanes now rapidly disappearing, such as Clare Market, Wild Street, and a network of narrow courts.

In 1657 Howell speaks of the Earl of Clare as living "in a princely manner" in this neighbourhood.

It was in Clare Market that Orator Henley had his chapel. The market was one chiefly for meat, and the shops and sheds were mainly occupied by butchers.

Dr. Radcliffe frequented a tavern in this place, and Mrs. Bracegirdle, the actress, used to visit the market in order to assist the poor basket-women.

The place is now almost gone. There was a notorious burial-ground, closed at last after its enormities had been exposed over and over again.

King's College Hospital is built upon a part of the slums. Clement's Inn will be swept away by the Strand improvements. New Inn is still standing; Danes' Inn is a modern court with offices and residential chambers. Wych Street itself has still some of the old houses left.

In Newcastle Street was Lyons' Inn, cleared away to make room for a theatre.

Next: the Strand district: Drury Lane