In Islington, you can explore culture, local history, markets and green spaces, each offering a different focus. Historic burial grounds and museum collections complement a year-round programme of performances, while nature reserves offer a different perspective on the borough than parks with sports facilities.
History and Theatres
Bunhill Fields is a nonconformist burial ground dating from the 1660s and the final resting place of John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, Daniel Defoe and William Blake. The grounds contain more than 2,300 memorials. There is a public garden on the site.
At the Islington Museum, the permanent exhibition of objects and stories about local history spans from prehistory to the present day. Admission is free; no reservation or appointment is required. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet. Free exhibitions also explore Islington’s past.
Sadler’s Wells Theatre has entertained audiences in Angel since 1683. Performances, events and workshops take place throughout the year. Dance styles range from classical ballet and flamenco to hip-hop theatre and experimental dance theatre. The Almeida Theatre is on Almeida Street, just off Upper Street in the heart of Islington. It stages new works and reimagined classics as live theatre. The nearest Underground stations are Highbury & Islington and Angel.
Green Spaces with Different Foci
Gillespie Park is Islington’s largest nature reserve and covers 2.8 hectares. It is home to 244 plant species, 94 bird species and 24 butterfly species. By contrast, Highbury Fields is Islington’s largest park and is also designated as a site of local importance for nature conservation. Its sports facilities include a floodlit, 50-by-26-metre artificial turf football pitch, four netball courts, eleven floodlit hard-surface tennis courts and a table-tennis table. Together, a nature reserve with a specific range of species and a large park with a variety of sporting facilities cater to different interests.
Freightliners City Farm offers another distinctive experience: it is a 2.5-acre green space in the highly urban London Borough of Islington. Individuals, friends and families are welcome to drop in for a self-guided visit during opening hours. The farm keeps cows, sheep, goats and poultry; many of the animals belong to rare and traditional breeds. The gardens grow fruit and vegetables, as well as wildlife-friendly and native plants. The Islington Ecology Centre in Gillespie Park is a visitor and education centre and can be booked for events.
Markets and Food
Camden Passage has three separate market areas: Pierrepoint Arcade, Charlton Place and Camden Passage itself. Chapel Market has served the local community for more than 150 years. The Islington Farmers Market takes place there on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It offers a range of produce, including meat and cheese from farms within a 100-mile radius of London. Check the market opening times again before your visit. Exmouth Market has more than 20 designated stalls selling hot food, snacks and drinks.
Finding Your Bearings When Choosing Accommodation
Highbury & Islington station is identified as the nearest Underground and rail station to Highbury Fields. Highbury & Islington and Angel are the nearest Underground stations to the Almeida Theatre. For Islington City Road Basin, Angel on the Northern line is the nearest Underground station. If you are looking for a hotel in Islington, you can compare these transport links with the places that matter most to you during your stay. This can help you plan around culture, markets, green spaces or sports, without combining the different destinations into a fixed walking route.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Islington, Finsbury, Highbury, Southwark, Westminster, Havering, Tower Hamlets, Richmond Upon Thames.
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