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Islington Area Guide

Islington Area Guide

Properties in Islington

Known for it’s neighbourhood feel despite only being 10 minutes away from the Capital, Islington has become an extremely popular place to live in recent years. With it’s diverse range of contemporary apartments mixed with Georgian and Victorian style homes, it’s no wonder potential buyers and renters are flocking to the area.

A huge increase in property development during the 19th century saw Islington start to take shape. While living conditions were poor pre-World War II, it was rebuilt post 1945 with contemporary architecture that still exists today. The clean, leafy streets are filed with spacious Victorian and Georgian-style properties, many positioned around quiet, garden squares.

New developments in Islington can be seen throughout the borough and in particular along City Road and Regent’s Canal, with ultra-modern flats and apartments in private, high rise blocks, some affording breath-taking panoramic views to The City skyline.

Living in Islington

Living in Islington

There is always something going on in Islington, with its thriving nightlife and connections to the centre of the capital making it an ideal place to live for people of all age groups. Young professionals and families love the variety on offer, while retirees and older generations find there is more than enough to get involved locally with galleries, cinemas, theatres, cafes and restaurants in abundance.

The education standards are superb and there is a strong community spirit that can be hard to find in other parts of London. The area is steeped in history and tradition but always has an eye on the future, and even as new developments arrive, it retains a firm grip on its proud history.

About Islington

About Islington

It’s hard to believe that before the Second World War, Islington was one of the least desirable places to live in London, the poor living conditions making it far from welcoming. Of course, that has all changed, with the area now seen as one the most desirable places to live in the capital.

The area is well known for the huge number of restaurants, pubs and bars on offer, the multicultural community ensuring locals and visitors can travel the world via their stomachs!

From art and culture to sport and history, Islington has it all to offer.

5 Interesting Facts about Islington

1.

1.

Islington has been, and continues to be, home to many famous residents, including the likes George Orwell and Sir Walter Raleigh and modern-day luminaries such as Emma Watson, Keira Knightley, Lily Allen, Tony Blair and Boris Johnson.

2.

2.

Fans of the Monopoly board game will love hearing how the licensees for the game used to meet for tea at Lyon’s Corner House – which is why The Angel features as a location.

3.

3.

Angel Station features the longest escalator in the London underground network (200 feet).

4.

4.

  • At the last count, there were more than enough restaurants to be able to visit a different one every day of the year.
5.

5.

  • Islington was the first London borough to enjoy fresh water coming in from Hertfordshire – the old aqueduct is now the New River Walk pathway.

Public Transport

Public Transport

There are three tube stations to hand – Angel (Northern Line), Highbury & Islington (Victoria line) and Caledonian Road (Piccadilly Line), offering good access across London. Overground train stations are Highbury & Islington, Canonbury and Caledonian Road & Barnsbury. Buses run frequently through Angel, with the number 38 travelling into Piccadilly and further on into east London, 4 into Blackfriars and north to Archway, 30 to Regent’s Park and Whitechapel and 73 to Oxford Circus and Stoke Newington.

Catching an Uber, Kapten or Bolt cab via an app is straightforward as drivers are usually nearby, with local firms like Angel City Cars, Islington Car Service and others also available. New cycleways have been built in Islington, with a complete map of routes available here and new routes being constructed here. For more details on transport in Islington, check out our Commuters Guide.

Green Spaces

Green Spaces

Islington offers plenty of places to get away from the busier streets and the pressures of work. Islington Green, Caledonian Park and Barnard Park offer a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of Islington life. Highbury Fields is the standout green space and has 29 acres to explore, along with a pool and gym, Elthorne Park is great for football and basketball, Spa Fields can be found close by to Exmouth Market and the New River Walk runs alongside a calming and serene river.

Things to do

Things to do

Screen on the Green is an iconic London cinema that plays arthouse and independent favourites, with Vue cinema found down the road in Angel Central shopping centre. Almeida Theatre and Sadler’s Wells are great for plays and theatrical events, with Arsenal also only a stone’s throw away. Pop along to The Garage for live music, with The Exmouth Arms and Nambucca also popular night spots. Chapel Market is a must visit, filled with local traders offering everything from food and drink to the latest fashion. There is definitely no shortage of places to eat and drink, with Angel famous for the wide variety of cuisine on offer. The likes of The Drapers Arms, The Bar With No Name and Ottolengi are all highly recommended. The Regent’s Canal Towpath offers cyclists, walker and joggers a fantastic route all the way to Docklands in the East and to Kings Cross, Camden Town, Primrose Hill and all the way to Little Venice, going West.

Islington Schools

Islington Schools

Islington has a great reputation for high quality schools, with dozens rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in their last report. At primary level this includes the likes of Hugh Myddelton Primary School, Shoreditch Park Primary School and Christopher Hatton Primary School. For older children attending secondary, notable schools include Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, Highbury Fields School and The Camden School for Girls. For A-level students, City of London Academy Islington, Highbury Fields School and Stormont House School all fall into the ‘Outstanding’ category.

Local Amenities in Islington

Local Amenities in Islington

Angel Central Shopping Centre features all of the popular brands, complemented by those positioned along Upper Street. Pop down to Chapel Market and you’ll also find an array of independent shops operating alongside the local traders. Holloway Road offers another chance to go shopping, with its combination of independent and popular high street names. To keep fit and active the likes of Virgin Active, Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Gym and The Gym London Angel offer a great range of workout facilities, with speciality exercise venues like The MMA Clinic (martial arts) and Orangetheory Fitness (walking, running and biking) all available nearby.

Islington Estate Agent

Islington Estate Agent

If you are looking to buy, sell, let or rent a property in Islington or its surrounding area, then contact our Islington estate agent team today. Our Islington branch was our first office, opened in 1979, and has firmly been positioned on Upper Street ever since. We cover a wide area, also taking in Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, Hoxton and Kings Cross together with Kingsland Road, Dalston, London Fields and Old Street. Our professional team of estate agents have extensive knowledge and can provide a bespoke property search service to help you find your ideal property. View our available properties here.