Summary
The constituency of the current leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, Islington is a borough reflective of his persona.
Highly favored by youthful, progressive individuals, this locality possesses a legacy of radical left-wing politics.
The more moderate left-wing individuals, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown brokered the agreement that would shape UK politics at the establishment Granita on Upper Street, currently functioning as a Tex-Mex venue.
Arsenal, Corbyn’s preferred football club is also located in Islington, having relocated to N5 from Woolwich in 1913. The Emirates Stadium is a stunning contemporary arena, and the home of a team distinguished for its flair.
Cultural experiences abound at the innovative Almeida Theatre, as well as Sadler’s Wells, the globally acknowledged dance venue.
Moreover, for a global culinary journey, a stroll down Upper Street or Camden Passage will reveal crêperies competing for your patronage alongside Scandinavian smokehouses.
Let us delve into the most compelling activities to pursue in Islington:
1. Eating Out
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With a community of diverse, youthful, and affluent residents with discerning tastes, Islington ranks among London’s premier dining districts.
Among the highly regarded establishments are a gluten-free bakery (Beyond Bread), a cafe-deli (Ottolenghi), a contemporary European seafood restaurant (Prawn on the Lawn), and a Puglia-inspired trattoria (Trullo). Notably, all of these can be accessed within a short distance of one another, situated on or near Upper Street, which is also a destination for exceptional Chinese and Thai dining, with an abundance of gastropubs housed within renovated public houses.
Afghan Kitchen, Frederick’s, and Oldroyd (all of which offer modern European cuisine) are worthy of your attention in Angel, while Little Georgia in Pentonville will introduce you to the often-overlooked delights of Eurasian gastronomy.
2. Upper Street
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Islington’s central thoroughfare has origins that trace back to the Middle Ages, but until the 1700s, it primarily existed as agricultural land.
Henry VIII frequented this area for duck hunting, while the courtier and poet Sir Walter Raleigh resided in a lavish residence along Upper Street.
Upon urban development, Upper Street transformed into an urban predicament in the 19th century, lamented by Charles Dickens and labeled the “Devil’s Mile” in the 1880s due to issues relating to prostitution, crime, and inebriation.
Fast forward 135 years, and Upper Street retains its vibrancy while evolving into a fashionable thoroughfare.
This area is now home to gluten-free bakeries, gin bars, conceptual retro-chic eateries, and establishments that serve multiple purposes: The Library combines dining, bar service, live music, and art exhibitions, while the King’s Head serves as a pub-cum-theatre.
As you pass Islington Town Hall, you may find it interesting that this was the site of the UK’s inaugural legal same-sex marriage in 2014.
3. Almeida Theatre
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One of the premier theatrical establishments in the capital, recognized as London Theatre of the Year at the Stage Awards, is conveniently situated just off Upper Street.
The Almeida Theatre is an intimate venue with an international reputation and serves as a launchpad for plays prior to their debut in the West End.
Under the leadership of Rupert Goold, the Almeida Theatre has gained a reputation for innovation, supporting the next generation of British artists, producing original works, and revitalizing classical pieces.
In keeping with this ethos, in the autumn/winter of 2018, a contemporary adaptation of Ibsen’s “The Wild Duck” was created by one of the emerging luminaries in UK theatre, Robert Icke.
4. Screen on the Green
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Established in 1913, Screen on the Green has become a pivotal cinema on Upper Street, recognized as one of the UK’s longest-operating cinemas.
The building faces Islington Green and is particularly striking at night due to its neon outline and illuminated marquee.
This single-screen cinema possesses unique characteristics not typically found in modern multiplexes.
One such feature is the in-auditorium bar, facilitating easy access to refreshments, coupled with an exquisite barrel vault ceiling and a classic working red curtain.
Regarding programming, the cinema showcases contemporary Hollywood releases interspersed with seasonal classics.
For instance, John Carpenter’s “Halloween” was part of the lineup in October of 2018.
5. Sadler’s Wells Theatre
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As one of the foremost dance venues globally, the Sadler’s Wells Theatre resides in the southern part of the borough, conveniently close to Angel tube station.
The current 1,500-seat venue, established in 1998, is the sixth building on this site since 1683. Sadler’s Wells functions both as a receiving theatre, showcasing the world’s premier dance companies, and as a producing house, with 16 associated companies and artists engaged in original productions.
Despite its illustrious background, Sadler’s Wells has adapted to contemporary preferences since Alistair Spalding took over as artistic director in 2004. Under his leadership, interdisciplinary productions such as “zero degrees” with sculptor Anthony Gormley and the annual Breakin’ Convention hip-hop dance festival every May have ensured the theatre’s relevance in 21st-century London.
6. London Canal Museum
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Situated west of the Islington Tunnel along the Regent’s Canal, this museum is dedicated to the history of London’s waterways.
The building itself merits attention; it is a Victorian warehouse established in 1863 that was used by early ice cream mogul Carlo Gatti to import ice from Norway.
During your visit, you can explore one of the warehouse’s two ice wells.
The museum details the diverse array of commodities transported via London’s canals, thereby illustrating what life was like in this environment during the 19th century.
Visitors can examine the interior of a narrowboat and board the Bantam IV, a pusher tug launched in 1950 and anchored outside.
7. Arsenal F.C.
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Recognized for its elegance and forward-thinking, Arsenal Football Club pioneered the introduction of floodlighting and numbered shirts, even having a tube station (Gillespie Road) renamed in its honor.
This was during the tenure of Herbert Chapman, the manager during the interwar years.
Another astute manager, the cultured Frenchman Arsène Wenger, guided the club through an entire league campaign without defeat in 2003-04. Visitors have the opportunity to tour the 60,000-seater stadium that his victorious teams helped construct, and for an additional cost, this can be conducted alongside a fan favorite such as Charlie George, Nigel Winterburn, or Perry Groves.
The stadium museum reopened in 2016 following renovation and features memorabilia including the boots worn by Michael Thomas when he scored the last-minute winner in the title decider of 1988-89. To attend a match, it is advisable to attain membership; however, tickets for less sought-after fixtures do become available for general purchase.
8. Little Angel Theatre
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For nearly six decades, this theatre has presented high-quality puppetry productions that are fondly remembered by many who spent their childhoods in this area of North London.
The 100-seat theatre resides within a charming Neoclassical temperance hall from the 19th century.
The Little Angel Theatre produces its own performances, occasionally inspired by popular children’s literature (like “The Everywhere Bear” staged in Autumn 2018), and also showcases touring puppetry companies from both the UK and abroad.
The programming is inclusive, designed to foster universal participation and dismantle barriers, with numerous opportunities for children to engage in activities such as the Saturday Puppet Club, the Crafty Kids Club, school holiday programs, and regular special events.
9. Camden Passage
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Adjacent to Upper Street is a picturesque Georgian alley adorned with gaslights, flat-fronted houses, and an eclectic array of shops.
Since the 1950s, Camden Passage has evolved into one of London’s foremost antique hubs, rivaling Portobello and Kensington Church Street.
At the junction with Charlton Place, one can find an antiques market operating on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays within the covered Pierrepoint Arcade Market space, a relic of a former tram shed. A book market operates on Thursdays and Fridays, while an additional outdoor market caters to vintage clothing, collectibles, and assorted kitsch (available on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Until recently, nearly every permanent shop in Camden Passage was owned by an antiques trader; however, there has been a recent influx of boutiques, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and vintage clothes outlets, ensuring a full day of exploration.
10. Caledonian Road
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In a rapidly gentrifying borough, Caledonian Road presents a mile-long segment of London that embodies its more grounded and multicultural essence.
This thoroughfare originated in the 1820s and was still utilized by cattle drovers on their way to Smithfield Market until 1852. Pentonville Prison (located near Caledonian Road and Barnsbury Railway Station) opened its doors in 1842, and notable figures such as Oscar Wilde, Boy George, George Michael, and Pete Doherty of the Libertines have all been incarcerated here.
During the late 20th century, this less affluent section of the road became home to a sizable Ethiopian community, evident in establishments like Merkato, Marathon, and Addis restaurants, alongside pubs, independent shops, and cafes.
Make sure to visit Housemans at number 5, a nonprofit bookstore established in 1945 that specializes in both new and used radical and progressive literature.
11. Union Chapel
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A remarkable establishment, the Union Chapel functions not only as a church but also as one of the capital’s most cherished live music venues and serves as the headquarters for the Margins homelessness initiative.
This Grade I-listed Victorian neo-Gothic edifice, erected in the 1870s, boasts superb acoustics, having narrowly escaped demolition in the 1980s.
Since 1992, it has evolved into an award-winning venue, operated independently and as a nonprofit, with proceeds directed towards restoration efforts and community programs.
It is no exaggeration to state that numerous events occur nearly every evening, and the roster of artists who have performed at the Union Chapel over the last 25 years is extensive.
Notable performers such as Patti Smith, Elton John, Thurston Moore, Jeff Mangum, Beck, Ray Davies, and Graham Nash have graced the stage within the last decade.
12. The Cally Festival
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Each June, Caledonian Road is closed to vehicular traffic for a single day to host a free street festival attended by thousands.
The Cally Festival presents a vibrant portrayal of London’s diversity, featuring over 70 market stalls and an international array of culinary offerings, from paella to French pastries, churros to Bangladeshi delicacies.
Local businesses and clubs host demonstrations of various kinds, and Arsenal Football Club even establishes a small pitch for shootouts.
Participants can engage in pottery, dance, and mosaic-making workshops, with a variety of attractions available for children.
Two stages also feature a genre-spanning lineup of live music, highlighting styles such as hip-hop, folk, jazz, funk, indie, soul, reggae, and afrobeat.
13. Regent’s Canal
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Constructed in the 1810s, this waterway extends for 8.6 miles through east and north-central London, linking the Grand Union Canal at Paddington with the River Thames at Limehouse.
The Regent’s Canal traverses Islington, although it remains mostly underground in this section due to the existence of the 878-metre Islington Tunnel.
If you wish to walk from the Canal Museum at Battlebridge Basin to City Road Basin at the tunnel’s eastern end, a clearly marked path is embedded in the pavement, guiding you back to the canal at Colebrooke Row.
Alternatively, you might enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque towpath west of the Canal Museum, which invites you into a preserved 19th-century industrial landscape featuring the renowned art college, Central St Martins, housed in a refurbished warehouse complex, alongside a water tower and lock-keeper’s cottage located at St Pancras Lock.
14. City Road Basin
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A sight that may surprise visitors, the City Road Basin is a substantial rectangular body of water designed to service the Regent’s Canal, established in 1820. By the mid-20th century, the area had fallen into complete disrepair and would not be revitalized until the 2000s.
It was only in 2009 that the public gained access to the basin for the first time.
Visitors can take a moment to reflect by the water or explore the sleek Victoria Miro gallery, dedicated to contemporary art from around the globe.
The Islington Boat Club is conveniently located on the City Road Basin, offering unique paddle-boarding lessons and guided canal tours, as well as excursions aboard the narrowboat Peggotty Tom.
15. Business Design Centre
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If you appreciate Victorian metal and glass architecture, this noteworthy Grade II-listed structure warrants exploration.
Upon its completion in 1861, the Royal Agricultural Hall was recognized as one of the largest exhibition spaces in the world, hosting distinguished events such as the Royal Tournament commencing in 1880 and the inaugural Crufts dog show in 1891. This immense facility served as a post office sorting depot during World War II and remained vacant until its rebranding as the Business Design Centre in 1986. Currently, the hall accommodates showrooms and offices while also hosting numerous events and trade exhibitions throughout the year.
Most of these events feature free entry, although advance registration may be necessary.
