Islington’s Historic Department Stores
Our guide Jenny Watson-Bore takes a trip down memory lane (aka Holloway Road) to revisit North London’s great shopping emporia.
Holloway
A church that lost its steeple! Islington Arts Factory’s historic home
The history of one of Islington’s most distinctive churches
Holloway Prison in WW2 – Diana Mosley
The Peabody Trust bought the site of former Holloway Prison from the Ministry of Justice in March 2019 and are committed to delivering 985 new homes, including 60% affordable housing. Their aim is to create a place that the whole community is proud of with new homes, community facilities, open space, and a Women’s Building. … Read More
When Shakespeare Came to Holloway
It is unknown whether William Shakespeare ever passed through Holloway in his lifetime, but his literary presence was felt strongly in the area in 1976, when the St. George’s Theatre was opened at the junction of Tufnell Park Road and Carleton Road. The theatre was housed in the former St. George’s Church, designed by George … Read More
Headless! The unusual Railings Around CaledoniaN Park
Visitors to Caledonian Park who approach it from Caledonian Road will notice the railings that face Market Road and Fred White Walk. They date from 1855 when the Metropolitan Cattle Market opened on the site that later became the park. The railings were built to withstand pressure from the two-legged and four-legged creatures that thronged … Read More
Paradise Park and Freightliners Farm
Paradise Park is a 4.57 acre area located on Mackenzie Road in Holloway. It is popular with families because of its children’s play area, the RSPB Sparrow Meadow, the open grass area and outdoor gym equipment, as well as Freightliners Farm. However, the area now covered by Paradise Park was the scene of one of … Read More
The Rock Tower
Squeezed tightly into the corner where Carleton Road meets Tufnell Park Road is the unusual building shown above. Known as The Rock Tower, it has a large circular central section, with attached structures of various shapes and sizes, and a separate bell tower – now linked to the building by a modern extension. The Rock … Read More
Holloway
Why visit this area? Walking through Holloway is like leafing through an encyclopaedia of architectural styles – commercial, church and residential – from the late 18th century to the present day. Each sub-area has its own character, and the transitions can be dramatic: when York Way (predominantly commercial and light industrial) crosses Camden Road it … Read More