Islington Area Guide

Take a stroll from the busy shopping hub of Angel, with its contemporary apartment blocks, to the leafy Georgian terraces just off Upper Street, and you’ll understand why Islington attracts people of all types and ages, including canny property investors. This part of London has a rich artistic heritage and former famous residents have included Charles Dickens, George Orwell and Charlie Chaplin.

Although Islington is a mere seven minutes by tube from Oxford Circus, it has managed to retain its unique character, with independent shops, bars, traditional pubs, restaurants and theatres. Shopping in Islington can be a leisurely affair, as there are so many cafes and restaurants to tempt you along the way. Camden Passage, with its individual shops and market stalls, is a haunt for lovers of antiques, while Upper Street and roads around the Angel tube station are buzzing with fashion and lifestyle boutiques. Foodies hungry for fresh local produce can shop in Islington Farmers’ Market every Sunday morning.

Attractions in Islington include prestigious off West End theatre venues such as the Almeida, the King’s Head and the Old Red Lion, as well as the Little Angel puppet theatre for children. Here you can swot up on local history in the Islington Museum, learn about London’s historic waterways at the London Canal Museum or support your favourite football team at the Emirates Stadium.

Most local primary schools in Islington are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and there are ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ schools at secondary level too, including the highly rated Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School.

Commuting is a breeze from here, as the Victoria Line provides rapid connections between Islington and central London. You can also take the Northern Line tube from Angel to reach the City within minutes. Other Islington travel links include overground trains (stopping at Highbury and Islington), with routes to east and west London. Residents can also choose between ten daytime bus routes and four night buses.

If you’re looking for a north London area with distinctive period architecture, independent shops and restaurants, a fantastic cultural offer and the opportunity to invest in new developments, then Islington – just minutes away from central London - is the ideal location.