Islington
Islington stretches from Finsbury Park in the north, via Highbury and Holloway, down to Clerkenwell. The borough is the birthplace of cultural icons like actor Kathy Burke and musician Little Simz. And its history has long been influenced by radical thinkers – plus the local water supply.
The River Fleet flowed through Clerkenwell down to the Thames. And the area had multiple springs – Sadler’s Wells Theatre was originally the site of a mineral water spa.
In 1613 the New River opened, which became an important source of water for 400 years. The Regent’s Canal arrived 200 years later, connecting Islington to the Thames, Camden and beyond.
In 1777 the preacher John Wesley established his Methodist chapel and mission on City Road. Opposite is Bunhill Fields where religious dissenters including William Blake and John Bunyan are buried. Another local radical was Vladimir Lenin, who worked at Clerkenwell Green in 1902–1903.
Islington’s architecture blends elegant Georgian and Victorian squares and streets, distinctive 1930s council estates and the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal FC’s home ground.
Regent's Canal in Islington
Blogs-And-Stories
From prison to parliament: Suffragettes & Holloway
Delve into the history of Holloway prison, and the stories of the Suffragettes imprisoned there
‘We Are What We Eat’: An exploration of food in prison
Members of the Prison Art Group at HMP Pentonville present an honest account of prison food and call for change
Joseph Grimaldi: King of the clowns
Grimaldi’s extraordinary physical comedy changed the pantomime forever – but it came at a price
The inspiring story behind North London United
North London United is a football project for young people born with Down syndrome
Poetry, plagiarism & treason: Early years of The Gentleman’s Magazine
Find out more about the home of England’s first ‘magazine’
Lady Phyll: Activist & co-founder of UK Black Pride
Campaigner, community builder, champion of LGBTQ+ rights
Quirky Victorian Valentine’s Day cards
A stuffed canary on a card? A lobster in love? The Victorians had curious ways of showing romance
fabric: A nightclub for a new millennium
How a Victorian meat warehouse in Smithfield became one of London’s leading venues
