Hatton Garden
The Hatton Garden area was once a lovely garden with a large fountain in the middle. The area is now the centre of the British jewellery trade, with the largest group of jewellery related businesses in the UK. There are almost 60 retail shops, as well as several hundred businesses that support the trade. Every day, people can be seen coming to Hatton Garden to find an engagement ring, wedding ring or special celebration gift.
The land belonged to the Bishops of Ely in the 1500s and land within the estate walls is today referred to as ‘the Garden’. The ‘Hatton’ name lives on in this area because of Sir Christopher Hatton, who in 1576 was granted a home on the grounds of the Ely estate by Queen Elizabeth I. He was a favourite of the Queen and later became Lord Chancellor.
Going further back in time, and at one end of Hatton Garden, is Holborn High Road. This road is in the same place as a straight and long Roman road.
Hatton Garden sits between Farringdon, Clerkenwell and Holborn and is a few yards from the boundary of the City of London. Travel to this fascinating area by tube at Chancery Lane or by Thames Link and tube at the newly renovated Farringdon Station.