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LIVING IN ISLINGTON
Islington & Surrounding Area
Islington is a thriving community full of bustling high streets, dense with restaurants, theatres, cinemas, excellent transport links and magnificent housing stock. There are fabulous parks, famous sights and it is home to many of the capital’s finest night time venues.
Five areas comprise Islington, Clerkenwell, Angel, Barnsbury, Canonbury, and Highbury. They all have their own eccentricities and their diverse appeal creates an eclectic and dynamic neighbourhood.
Clerkenwell is one of the most historic, creative and culturally rich districts in London; once known as ‘Little Italy’, its warehouses are now design agencies and magazine headquarters while factories are home to some of the best restaurants in London, including St John, Moro, Bistro Loubet, & Club Gascon. Clerkenwell Green lies at the centre by the church offering a mixture of housing, offices and pubs.
Towards the City, Spitalfields Market is a huge attraction. Independent designers sell everything from clothes, jewellery and bags to arts and crafts. Clerkenwell is just a short taxi ride or walk into the City, hence the area's popularity with City workers.
Interestingly, Clerkenwell provided the setting for many Charles Dickens novels; Oliver Twist first saw the 'Artful Dodger' in action whilst pick pocketing gentlemen who were browsing at a book stall in Clerkenwell Green.
Angel is the epicentre of the borough with Angel Tube station at the junction of City road and St John Street. Upper Street and Islington High Street are a paradise for the avid shopper with Chapel Market, The Angel Centre and Camden Passage offering something for everyone.
Historically, Islington had long supplied the City of London with water, and the building of the Regents Canal in 1820 led to the construction of the headquarters for The New River Company - the predecessor to today’s Thames Water. Either side of the Regent’s Canal sit the stunning terraced houses of Vincent Terrace and Noel Road. While, on the canal itself, are moorings for a cornucopia of narrow boats, which celebrate yearly at The Angel Canal Festival. Angel was also home to the famous playwright Joe Orton (1933-67) who lived at 25 Noel Road from 1960.
Barnsbury lies to the west of Upper Street and is characterised by elegant Georgian properties, Victorian Squares and the charming streets around Thornhill Road. This beautiful part of the borough is extremely popular, with pub/restaurant the Drapers Arms on Barnsbury Street and The Albion on Thornhill road having become almost an institution for local residents.
Families with children enjoy Barnard Park Adventure Playground, which offers exciting structures on which children can play in a safe environment. There is also a football and basketball pitch, and firepit as well as an amphitheatre and arts and craft classes.
Canonbury sits between Essex road, Upper Street and Cross Street and encompasses the beautiful streets adjacent to the New River Walk, which dates back to 1613 (The waterway was constructed to bring fresh drinking water from River Lea, from Amwell Springs, into London itself).
This picturesque enclave and the streets around Alwyne road (1848 onwards) are almost entirely residential with Canonbury Square, Canonbury Park North and South and Grange Grove some of the most desirable in the area.
The proximity to the shops of Upper Street, transport connections at Essex Road and Highbury & Islington, yet the relative calm of location make it very popular.
Highbury includes all the areas north and east of Canonbury and Holloway Road and for many is the ideal location for families with excellent recreational facilities on the 27.5 acres of Highbury Fields, which house a swimming pool, tennis courts, children’s playground and open parkland.
Highbury Barn lies just past the Clocktower at the end of Highbury Fields (constructed in 1897 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria). Residents really feel that they are living in a village, with La Fromagerie, the butcher Frank Godfrey, the friendly Italian deli Da Mario on hand to supply delicious, artisan fare. Highbury Barn is, for many, the opposite of the hussle and bussle of Upper Street and Angel. The area offers a complete range of properties - from grand terraces and splendid semis to more modest houses and subtle contemporary developments. Highbury is also the home of the Emirates Stadium (just off Drayton Park) with the original site now converted into luxury apartments.
History
The London Borough of Islington of today was created in 1965, when the former Metropolitan Boroughs of Islington and Finsbury were united making Islington the third smallest local authority in the capital, covering an area of just over six square miles.
The borough was badly damaged during World War II and in 1944, a V-1 destroyed Highbury Corner, that once housed an impressive station and hotel. Post World War II rebuilding and later gentrification has transformed the area into one the most popular districts of London, with many well known actors, writers and politicians calling Islington their home.
The property types available in Islington are extensive, however, Georgian classical architecture dominates the area with its beautiful proportions and symmetry. There is, of course, a great deal of Victorian housing available; an excellent example of this is the Gothic revival inspired architecture of Lonsdale Square and St Pancras Chambers (Kings Cross). Islington has also seen a huge increase in new developments using modern materials and construction techniques.
Places of Interest in Islington
Getting to Islington
Roads:
Rail:
Air:
Local Authority
London Borough of Islington, 222 Upper Street, London N1 1XR
Telephone: 020 7527 2000
Website: www.islington.gov.uk
Schools
Across the borough there are 44 primary schools and one academy that provides both primary and secondary education. There are eight secondary schools and three schools for children with special educational needs.
