The Rookery

Meet Clarice.

At The Rookery, our bedrooms aren’t numbered, they’re named after the fascinating characters who once called Clerkenwell home.

Clarice Bonell was one of the area’s most infamous residents. Known as Clarice of Cokke’s Lane, she built a formidable reputation in 18th-century London, becoming one of the city’s best-known madams. Her family had been part of Clerkenwell’s story for generations, Clarice’s own reputation spreading city wide, her story ending, as many did in those days, with her death from the pox

Today, her namesake room offers a rather different kind of hospitality. Thankfully, the only thing you’ll catch is a wonderful night’s sleep.

Every room at The Rookery has a story. This just happens to be one of our most notorious.

The finest bacon sandwich in London

Our bathrooms are the one area where we’re quite happy not to be historically accurate.

It’s not often we have our breath taken away, but a visit to Barts North Wing had us reaching for the smelling salts.

The Great Hall - available to hire for weddings and events - is utterly magnificent. But the ‘Hogarth Stair’ truly has to be seen to be believed.

Within The Pool of Bethesda you’ll spot real Georgian medical conditions (gout, of course, along with jaundice and rickets), dramatic theatrical lighting, and tiny restored details hidden for centuries beneath layers of grime. The paintings must have done their job a thousand times over - moving wealthy visitors emotionally and encouraging donations to the hospital, which has offered free care to Londoners since it was founded in 1123.

Visitors are welcome on Mondays, Tuesdays and the first Sunday of the month from 10am - 4pm. The North Wing is also available for private hire for music events, talks, conferences and more.

“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.”

William Hazlitt

Easter treats

Every day is book day at The Rookery.