Homes for sale in the London Borough of Islington are highly sought after. The area is part of Central London and presents a charming medley of market stalls and upper-town sophistication. The Borough has excellent transport connections. Plus, between escape rooms, art galleries and nearly 400 restaurants, locals have plenty to explore.
Why Buy in Islington?
Green Spaces
Whittington Park
Whittington Park is known for its woodland walks, floral sculptures and wildlife ponds. Bird spotters will enjoy the RSPB Sparrow Meadow, a conservation area to protect the local species.
Highbury Fields
Perfect for park runs and picnics, Highbury Fields spans 29 hectares and is Islington’s largest green space. It’s also home to Islington’s Boer War Memorial.
Caledonian Park
Winner of the Green Flag Award, Caledonian Park is built around a Grade II listed Clock Tower. Sections of the park are conservation areas, such as the wildlife pond and meadowland. The spacious spots around the clock tower monument are particularly popular with dog walkers and runners.
Food & Drink
Islington is a culinary melting pot, as the Borough covers areas such as Angel, Clerkenwell and Holloway. Therefore, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining.
Exmouth Market is a haven for foodies with its mix of indie eateries, such as Ken’s, Moro and around. Over on Upper Street, which runs through Angel and Islington, you’ll find a vast array of established restaurants and high-street favourites. Ottolenghi Deli is a popular lunch-hour haunt, while Llerena Iberico tapas bar comes highly recommended for an evening meal. There are lots of drinking spots around here too, such as The Bottle Cocktail Shop & Bar, The Bar with No Name, and the Camden Head pub which is renowned for its live comedy. Other bars in the borough worth visiting include the aptly named Bookbar, a bookshop-slash-bar on Blackstock Road, The Nook in Highbury and Wine Connection in Archway.
Trips and Entertainment
Theatre
In Islington, you’ll find the iconic Sadler’s Wells Theatre, the world-leading dance venue. Elsewhere, the Almeida Theatre programme is well worth reading, with new and celebrated plays running year-round. Islington is also a hub for unconventional theatre spaces, like King’s Head Theatre and Pub, and Union Chapel, a multi-use performance space. Further north, the Park Theatre near Finsbury Park regularly hosts experimental plays and musicals.
Emirates Stadium
The Emirates Stadium is the home ground of the Premier League football team, Arsenal FC. A stone’s throw from Drayton Park Station in Holloway, the stadium building is instantly recognisable. There’s even a museum for fans to immerse themselves in.
Art Galleries
Located on Pentonville Road, the Crafts Council Gallery holds a variety of exhibitions and workshops year-round. Meanwhile, the James Freeman Gallery specialises in contemporary art and has a roster of exciting artists, including the painter Cheri Smith and ceramicist Claire Curneen. The Borough is also home to the Banksy Tree Mural, which you can find on Hornsey Road.
Retail
Angel Central is one of the main retail hubs in Islington, with weekly markets in the surrounding area. Chapel Market has been a mainstay for over 150 years, while the Islington farmer’s market is a more recent addition. Each area in the Borough also benefits from a bustling high street where you can find an eclectic mix of stores, from supermarkets to independent boutiques.
Health and Fitness
There are gyms all across the London Borough of Islington and many offer more than a weights room.
Highbury Fields Leisure Centre
Highbury Fields Leisure Centre is easily accessible from the adjacent park and features two swimming pools and a studio for fitness classes.
Islington Tennis Centre
An indoor tennis facility, Islington Tennis Centre also has a sauna and various fitness classes available to its members.
Travel
Bicycles and Storage
In a push for sustainable travel, Islington Council offer residents free cycle training. Islington has eight completed cycleways, with several more in progress. One of the new routes through Islington is Cycleway 50, which will connect Camden to Finsbury.
Regular push bicycles can be hired from one of the docking stations around the Borough. Alternatively, residents can borrow an electric bike from vendors like Lime and Forest.
Underground
Islington is a central London Borough with excellent transport connections to neighbouring areas. There are 11 tube stations altogether, which are served by various underground routes, including the Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. At some stations, you can also hop on the overground via the Mildmay and Windrush lines.
Shared Ownership in Islington with Newlon Living
Looking for your dream home in Islington? Make it a reality by exploring Shared Ownership properties from Newlon Living. Read our buying guide to learn more about purchasing a new-build or resale home through the scheme.
