You know what struck me first about this place? It’s actually in one of those gorgeous Georgian terraced buildings on St John Street – the kind where you walk up thinking “please don’t be a disappointment inside” and then you’re pleasantly surprised. The apartment itself is properly modern (thank god, because some of these conversions can be pretty hit-or-miss), but they’ve kept enough character that it doesn’t feel like you’re staying in some soulless corporate box.
The location is honestly brilliant if you know London at all. Farringdon station is maybe a three-minute walk, which means you’ve got the Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines right there – plus it’s where the Elizabeth Line stops, so you can actually get to Heathrow without wanting to cry. But here’s what the booking sites don’t tell you: you’re also walking distance to some of the best bits of both Islington and Clerkenwell. I mean, you’ve got Exmouth Market just around the corner (brilliant for coffee and that little French place, Côte), and if you walk five minutes toward Angel, you hit Upper Street with all its restaurants and pubs. The other direction gets you into proper Clerkenwell – Smithfield Market, some fantastic wine bars tucked away on side streets, that whole area that feels like actual London rather than tourist London.
The flat itself works well for what it is. Two proper bedrooms, which is refreshing because so many London “2-bed” places turn out to have one real bedroom and a glorified cupboard. The kitchen’s got everything you’d actually need if you’re planning to eat in occasionally, and honestly, the whole setup feels like someone’s actual home rather than a rental property furnished from IKEA’s cheapest section. I will say the street can get a bit noisy – it’s a main road after all, and you get the occasional late-night crowd walking back from the pubs – but nothing that would keep you awake if you’re used to city living. The building’s well-maintained too, which matters more than you’d think when you’re dealing with period properties in central London. Check-in was straightforward (keybox situation, worked fine), and the whole experience felt refreshingly drama-free. It’s not luxury by any stretch, but it’s comfortable and well-located, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want – especially when you’re paying London prices and just need a proper base to explore from.