Islington

The London Borough of Islington is a metropolitan borough in Inner London, England. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London and lies to the north of the City of London. The borough is densely urban and known for a diverse population, active street life, and a range of cultural venues, markets, and parks. The administrative center is Islington Council, which governs the area from its offices in the borough.

Islington is bordered by Camden to the west, Hackney to the east, Haringey to the north, and the City of London to the south. It contains neighbourhoods such as Angel (centered on Upper Street), Canonbury, Highbury, Barnsbury, and Clerkenwell, each with its own character ranging from historic streets and markets to modern housing and creative industries.

Historically, Islington was formed as a London borough in 1965, created by the merger of the former Metropolitan Boroughs of Islington and Finsbury. The area has a long urban history, with medieval churches, industrial growth in the 18th and 19th centuries, and later regeneration that shaped much of its current housing and street life.

Culturally and economically, Islington is notable for its theatres and venues, including the Almeida Theatre and Sadler’s Wells, as well as the Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal Football Club. The Upper Street corridor in the Angel area hosts a dense mix of shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The borough is well connected by public transit, with Highbury & Islington and Angel stations providing rapid access to central London, and a network of buses traversing its streets. The New River head and associated waterways are historic features in the area, reflecting Islington’s long urban development.