Ever wondered how Hatton Garden got its name? It all starts with a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. This is the story of Hatton Garden.
Sir Christopher Hatton a politician was the namesake of Hatton Garden. Queen Elizabeth I gifted him Ely Place in 1581. Hatton was quite the fellow. He gained recognition as Lord Chancellor.
The property included a beautiful garden. Eventually the area became known as Hatton Garden. Hatton became wealthy and built a grand house. It rivaled Hampton Court. His name lives on in London’s Jewellery Quarter.
Hatton Garden’s connection to jewellery dates back to Medieval London. Crafts and industries clustered in specific neighborhoods. This eased production and trade. The Hatton family began selling parts of their Ely estate. Wealthy merchants occupied the spaces.
London was confined to the square mile City of London then. Hatton Garden became a reputable destination. It was known for trusted experts and quality craftsmanship.
Many of London’s original districts have been lost. Hatton Garden has remained the heart of the UK’s jewellery trade. Today it has over seventy jewellery shops. There are nearly three hundred jewellery businesses. It is the largest jewellery quarter in the country.
Hatton Garden attracts visitors globally. They come for its expert craftsmanship. They also come for its detailed knowledge of all things jewellery. People seek engagement rings and special keepsakes here.
In recent years media and publishing companies have appeared. They nestled between workshops and offices. This adds to the hustle and bustle. Leather Lane Market is nearby. It welcomes some of the city’s best street food. Restaurants have popped up along Hatton Garden. Stylish bars bring a plethora of choice for a great night out.
Hatton Garden has had its fair share of scandals. One involves Lady Elizabeth Hatton. One night in 1926 she danced with an unidentified man. In the early hours her dismembered body was found in Bleeding Heart Yard. Her heart was still beating. Many believe her ghost still wanders there.
More recent tales involve criminals. They were attracted to the precious diamonds and jewels here. In 1993, £7 million worth of gems were stolen. This was London’s biggest jewellery robbery at the time. The robbers were named The Rascal Gang.
In 2015, the Hatton Garden Heist occurred. A group of criminals drilled into the vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit. They emptied deposit boxes. Diamonds, precious stones, jewellery and money were stolen. The robbers were up to seventy-six years old.
Rest assured these incidents are rare. They are part of Hatton Garden’s ever-growing history.
Hatton Garden was developed as a new residential district. This occurred in the Restoration period between 1659 and 1694. John Evelyn observed Hatton Street being laid out in 1659. Speculative builders constructed houses. They wanted to attract wealthy men at court.
The Hatton Garden area has an extensive underground infrastructure. It includes vaults, tunnels, offices and workshops.
So next time you stroll through Hatton Garden remember its rich history. From royal roots to scandalous heists it’s a place of stories. It is a place of intrigue. It is a place of enduring allure.