Huddle in design lovers… Clerkenwell Design Week returns this week (May 20–22), sharper than ever and set to make its boldest mark yet. Now in its 14th year, CDW 2025 is rewriting the rulebook, redrawing the map, and recharging the capital’s creative circuits – with serious style.
This year’s edition scales up and levels out with three spectacular new venues that transform Clerkenwell’s southern fringe into a pulsating new design district. Think medieval landmarks reimagined for modern makers:
Image credit: CDW / Jestico + Whiles
Across 16+ venues and more than 350 brands, CDW is a playground for the curious and the creative—featuring tactile surfaces, sculptural lighting, emerging talent, contract furniture and architectural finishes. Add 160+ showrooms to the mix, and it’s a three-day deep dive into the future of form.
Conversation is front and centre, too. Conversations at Clerkenwell returns in a technicolour theatre designed by Kapitza, while US powerhouse Sandow (Interior Design, Metropolis, Design Milk) brings Design Dialogue to the Church of Design. Also launching: the first-ever CDW Product Awards—recognising boundary-pushing innovation across materials, tech and aesthetics.
New for 2025: the Festival of Hospitality joins the fold on May 20, hosting next-gen workshops focused on future-facing spaces and experience design. And watch for a new installation from architecture studio Jestico + Whiles, designed by the whole studio, set to spark conversation and Instagram envy in equal measure.
As ever, there’s more than just design on offer – Fringe events, food collabs, guided tours and a new interactive digital map make navigating the neighbourhood a breeze (and the Negronis easy to find).
This May, Clerkenwell becomes more than a well respected design destination – it’s a creative state of mind. Let the festival begin.
Main image credit: Clerkenwell Design Week
