London area of Islington guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Islington neighbourhood

Islington mixes elegant Georgian squares inhabited by London's liberal elite with some rough-and-ready bits. This vibrant borough has a thriving fringe theatre scene and a bustling nightlife, centred on the clubs, bars and restaurants of Upper Street, and, if you're planning on partying, the hotels here are a good option. The specialist shops and boutiques in the renowned Camden Passage Antiques Gallery and the surrounding area are an excellent place to buy antiques and bric-a-brac. The area is also home to Arsenal, one of London's biggest football clubs, and The King's Head Theatre, the first and best of London's theatre pubs. Nestled between Essex Road and Upper Street, Canonbury boasts the delightful New River walk, while just south of Angel you'll find a very pretty stretch of the canal.

See our recommended nearby Islington Hotels, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Islington Hotels

in or near Islington
Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
1 Kings Cross Road, WC1X
Halfway between the City and the west End, the Bloomsbury area is an oasis of calm in the very heart of the capital. It's a lovely ... More
 
 
 
Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
335-337 Old Street, EC1V
Prison cells are VIP booths in the bar at the Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, a 128 room hotel in the Old Magistrates Court and Police Station, opposite ... More
 
 
 
Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
Coram Street, WC1N
This is a smart, modern hotel located in one of the Capital's oldest and most beautiful areas. Bloomsbury is a great place to stay since it's ... More
 
 
 

Islington Entertainment

in or near Islington
PICK
Little Angel Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, London N1
The Little Angel Theatre was founded by John Wright in 1961 in a derelict temperance hall in Islington. Every type of puppet is used, and themes, ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The King's Head
London > Entertainment > Theatres
115 Upper Street, Islington, London N1
London's original pub theatre is located in the back room at the The King's Head. It was founded in 1970 by the pub's owner, Dan Crawford, ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Screen on the Green
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
83 Upper Street, Islington, London N1
One of the most striking cinema facades in the city (especially at night when it's all illuminated in startling red and white), the ... More
 
 
 

Islington Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near Islington
PICK
The Little Angel Theatre
London > Attractions > Activities for Kids
14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street, Islington, Islington, London N1
This innovative children's theatre provides a showcase for the art of puppetry. Founded by master puppeteer John Wilkes in the early 1960s, this small, unusual theatre ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Islington Metal Works
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
7 Torrens Street, Islington, London EC1V
Built in the late 19th century, The Islington Metalworks is a building steeped in history. All three floors were initially used to stable the horses that ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Victoria Miro
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
16 Wharf Road, Islington, London N1
The Victoria Miro originally opened in Cork Street in London, W1, in 1985. The gallery moved to its present location in 16 Wharf Road, Islington, in ... More
 
 
 

Islington Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's Islington
PICK
Cass Art
London > Shopping > Art and Design
66-67 Colebrooke Row, Islington, Islington, London N1
The flagship store of this art mini-chain stocks something for everyone from the eager beginnner to the consumate expert - water colours, oils, drawing and much ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Cass Art Islington
London > Shopping > Art and Design
66-67 Colebrooke Row, Islington, London N1
Art shop in Islington that also hosts drawing events. ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Jewel
London > Shopping > Jewellery
16 Camden Passage, Islington, London N1
A showcase for two jewellery designers Lesley Vik Waddell and Kirt Holmes, this is a very pretty little shop and is filled with deliciously frivolous trinkets ... More
 
 
 

Islington Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near Islington London?
PICK
Giraffe
London > Restaurants > International restaurants
29-31 Essex Road, Islington, London N1
The family friendly Giraffe restaurants really appeal to their target audience: kids. But that doesn't mean adults won't enjoy their bright colours ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Meat People
London > Restaurants > Modern European restaurants
4-6 Essex Road, Islington, London N1
Modern European Cuisine... More
 
 
 
PICK
69 Colebrooke Row
London > Restaurants > Modern European restaurants
69 Colebrooke Row, Islington, London N1
Welcome to the Bar With No Name. This intimate bar isn't your typical speakeasy, lacking exposed brickwork, candlelit tables and vintage furniture, it is actually just ... More
 
 
 

Islington Pubs

The best pubs in or near London Islington.
PICK
The Old Queen's Head
London > Nightlife > Pubs
44 Essex Road, Islington, London N1
A gorgeous antique interior, a delicious menu and some top DJs at weekends. The Old Queen's Head opened with a fantastic recipe for success in 2006 ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Duke of Cambridge
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
30 St Peter's Street, Islington, London N1
This pioneering organic pub has done a good job of going gastro without losing the atmosphere of a proper boozer. In part, this is due to ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Barnsbury Freehouse and Dining Room
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
209-211 Liverpool Road, Islington, London N1
Islington gastropub on Liverpool Road, where chef John O’Riordan (ex head chef of critically acclaimed Samphire) heads up the kitchen. Informal dining in a relaxed ... More
 
 
 

Islington Nightlife

Islington clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
PICK
Colebrookes
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
69 Colebrooke Row, Islington, Islington, London N1
If the Government want to encourage more of a European café culture, they should send someone down to Colebrookes to take a look. Colebrookes takes the ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Dirty Martini, Islington
London > Nightlife > Bars
74 Upper Street, Islington, London N1
This chain of glamorous cocktail bars is a great spot for after work drinks and big nights out, with regular happy hours and drink deals. There ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Hoxley & Porter
London > Nightlife > Bars
153 Upper Street, Islington, London N1
Let the train take you on an exotic night out without actually leaving Islington as you enter Hoxley & Porter, a bar and restaurant which has ... More
 
 
 

Islington Leisure

Islington gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
Esporta
London > Leisure > Fitness
Islington Green, 27 Essex Road, Islington, London N1
Fitness Club ... More
 
 
 
Islington Yoga
London > Leisure > Fitness
142 B Upper Street, Islington, Islington, London N1
... More
 
 
 
Islington Float Tank
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
239 Liverpool Road, Islington, London N1
Floatation Therapy ... More
 
 
 

Islington Education

in or near Islington
William Tyndale School
London > Education > Upper Street, Islington, London N1
Islington primary school.... More
 
 
 
Islington Student Support Section
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
Islington Education Service, Laycock Street, Islington, London N1
Student support ... More
 
 
 
London College of English
London > Education > English Language Courses
354 Goswell Road, Angel, Islington, London EC1V
... More
 
 
 

Islington Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near Islington.
PICK
Little Angel Theatre
London > Business > Venue Hire
14 Dagmar Passage off Cross Street, Islington, Islington, London N1
A teeny, tiny and wonderful puppet theatre located in a hidden side road backing onto a green church yard ideal for spontaneous picnics with goodies from ... More
 
 
 
The London Art House
London > Business > Venue Hire
2-18 Britannia Row, Islington, London N1
... More
 
 
 
Almeida Restaurant and Bar
London > Business > Venue Hire
30 Almeida Street, Islington, Islington, London N1
... More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SALE
London Hotels

From cheap budget places to stay to luxury 5 star hotels see our special offers for hotels, including from 0% off.

 
 
Call now: hotel deals 0207 420 4960