Islington Area Guide

Islington offers something for everyone. Nightlife, galleries, theatres, cinema, antique markets and high street shopping. It is famous for its restaurants, cafes, artisan bakeries, gastropubs and bars. Some of the best pubs are to be found on quieter streets in Barnsbury and Canonbury. Sitting in some of the glorious pub gardens can leave you feeling like you are in a country village, with no inkling of being barely a mile from Central London. When it comes to shopping, you are spoiled for choice in Islington. For example, Camden Passage has an amazing antique market and vintage shops where you can buy everything from clothing to furniture. If you are looking for High Street brands, then Upper Street and the Angel Central shopping centre has everything you need – dining, entertainment, and great shops. On a more practical level, there are also numerous supermarkets to choose from.

Transport

Travel and commuting: there are three Islington Tube stations — Angel on the City branch of the Northern line, Caledonian Road on the Piccadilly line and Highbury & Islington on the Victoria line. The Overground stations are Caledonian Road & Barnsbury, Highbury & Islington and Canonbury, all with trains to Stratford. Highbury & Islington and Canonbury are now also on the East London line with trains to Shoreditch and Canary Wharf, changing at Canada Water. There are also trains to Moorgate from Highbury & Islington and Essex Road stations. All stations are in Zone 2

Schools

With two exceptions, Islington’s primary schools are all judged to be “good” by the government’s education watchdog Ofsted with Thornhill in Thornhill Road and Canonbury in Canonbury Road getting particularly good results at Key Stage 2 age 11. The following do even better and are judged to be “outstanding”: William Tyndale in Upper Street and St John Evangelist RC in Duncan Street.
At secondary school level, the once notorious Highbury Grove (co-ed, ages 11 to 18) in Highbury Grove is now judged “outstanding” as is Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (girls, ages 11 to 16) in Donegal Street. St Mary Magdalene Academy (ages four to 18) is an all-through state academy and Highbury Fields (girls, ages 11 to 18) in Highbury Hill are both judged to be “good”. STEM academy Tech City on City Road is a new state sixth form college that opened in September. It specialises in science, technology, engineering and maths.

If Holloway & Islington sounds like the place for you then give one of our Niche Consultants a call today on: 020 3970 4142 and they will help guide you to your dream property.