My Chase Evans
ISLINGTON
Islington is a vibrant central London borough, with fascinating history, variety of housing options and a diverse and lively young population. It possesses excellent transport links, unique cultural identity, and a booming tech business community. The borough is set north of the City of London and borders Camden, Haringey and Hackney. Its current uplift has been boosted by the substantial regeneration, residential and commercial building investments predominantly in the south of the borough. It is Old Street that drives its progress, for this district is ideally located for the City of London, thus attracting a large number of the UK and international start-ups and technology businesses.
History
Medieval Islington was an agricultural area on the fringes of the City overflowing with cattle trade and businesses prospering from the nearby Smithfield meat market. The land between Upper Street and Liverpool Street was used for farming and grazing. The district was the City’s main supplier of milk, butter and cream. By 16th century, with first handsome mansions surrounded by gardens and orchards, Islington acquired attributes of a ‘village’. First terraced houses on the High Street were built at the end of 18th century, followed by new Georgian squares of terraces in 1820s. The main ‘village’ districts of Islington are The Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Clerkenwell, Barnsbury, Kings Cross, Shoreditch, Archway, Highgate, Tufnell Park, Finsbury and Holloway. Each one is unique with its own tapestry of green spaces, artisan shops, markets, art galleries, theatres and music venues and eateries. The main shopping for the borough is along Islington High Street and Upper Street.
After years of substantial investment in Highbury, King’s Cross, Shoreditch, Farringdon and Old Street, Islington is an increasingly attractive area to live. There are new modern housing developments, from the well-established Queensland Road to the luxury 250 City Road, Canaletto, Lexicon and Postmark.
Some of London’s most beautiful Georgian Squares and houses are found in Islington. The list of well preserved setting with wonderful period architecture includes Barnsbury Square, Camden Passage, Cloudsley Square, Duncan Terrace, Lonsdale Square, Milner Square, Gibson Square, Canonbury Square and Granville Square.
A section of the very attractive new canalside neighbourhood of Kings Cross is within Islington’s boundaries as is the new Crossrail Station at Farringdon.
Culture and entertainment
The heart of Islington is Angel and its Upper Street where the best of arts, entertainment, shopping, and dining come together creating an outstanding cultural location. A short walk south from the Tube Station is the picturesque Regent’s Canal featuring relaxing waterside pubs, restaurants, and colourful canal boats.
Angel is home to a great number of theatre venues and the most popular are the internationally acclaimed Almeida and Sadler’s Wells. Kings Head Theatre, and the Old Red Lion are well-known pub/style venues promoting independent theatre producers, and emerging writers and actors.
Music venues include the Union Chapel, Islington Assembly, and O2 Academy Islington. The repertoire at the Union Chapel, a Victorian gem building with outstanding acoustics, goes beyond music to cover film screenings, comedy, talks, and more.
Business Design Center is a large conference and exhibition centre with an impressive list of art and design events scheduled throughout the year.
Camden Passage is an attractive narrow street with a fascinating array of antique, interior design and crafts shops sandwiched between cozy cafes, bakeries, sandwich shops, and restaurants.
The list of galleries and museums includes the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, Craft Council Gallery and Victoria Miro Gallery.
Council
Islington
Check out the current Islington Council Tax bands HERE
Transport (Zone 1 & 2)
Angel Underground Station: Northern Line
King's Cross St Pancras Station: Rail, Underground, Thameslink, Eurostar
Farringdon Station: Hammersmith & City, Circle and District, Metropolitan, Crossrail / Elizabeth line
Old Street Station: Northern Line, Hammersmith & City, Metrlopolitan Line, National Rail
Highbury & Islington Station: London Overground, Victoria Line, London Overground,
Bus services: 4, 19,30, 38, 43, 56, 73, 153, 205, 214, 275, 341, 394, 476, N19, N38, N41, N73, N205
Recent new homes Developments
The Cube
Canaletto
City Wharf
The Lexicon
The Makers
Queensland Terrace
Arthouse
The Residence
London Square Caledonian Road
CLICK HERE to view properties for sale in Islington
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CLICK HERE to get your Islington property valued.