At first glance, 41-42 Cloth Fair in EC1 appears unassuming, but this 400-year-old building holds a remarkable history. Constructed in 1613 and originally an alehouse, it is the only surviving building in the City of London from before the Great Fire of 1666.
The property's first occupant, businessman William Chapman, sold beer from its cellars until he was beheaded in 1649 during the English Civil War for betraying his allegiances. Protected by the high brick walls of the old St Bartholomew parish, the house withstood the Great Fire, which destroyed around 70,000 homes.
During the Industrial Revolution, its basement became a steel cutlery factory, operating until the 1920s. In 1929, it escaped demolition during sanitation improvements that razed many nearby buildings. During the Blitz, German bombs devastated Smithfields Market, yet the house remained untouched.
Now valued at £5.5 million, the property is protected by English Heritage, ensuring its survival for future generations. Passers-by can pause to reflect on its incredible past.
