Welcome to the August edition of walks and events by Islington Guides for the months of August and September, starting with:
Caledonian Clock Tower
Discover the hidden history of the Caledonian Market Clock Tower, the last surviving structure of Islington’s vast Victorian livestock market. On this guided tour with Islington Guided Walks, you’ll explore how thousands of cattle, sheep and pigs once passed through this site each week, shaping the streets, pubs and daily life of north London.
Climb 178 historic steps inside the Grade II* listed tower to see the original Victorian clock mechanism, still wound by hand, and enjoy sweeping views across London from the upper levels. Along the way, uncover the dramatic rise, decline and survival of the market, and how this remarkable tower was saved and restored as a local landmark.
Please note: this tour involves steep, narrow stairs and requires sturdy footwear.
Rosebery Avenue – a slice of London’s history
A Sunday stroll exploring the layers of London stories along and around a single road.
When Rosebery Avenue was built in 1892 it cut a swathe through Clerkenwell’s tangled backstreets – and added another layer to the area’s rich history. This stroll along and around a single road delves down through these layers to discover stories of health spas and taverns; landowners and rebels; model dwellings and modernist treasures.
This walk takes place on the 23rd of August. Click here for details and booking.
Regent’s Canal, a walking tour of its industrial past & sustainable future
On this linear walk along the Regent’s Canal from Angel Station, led by qualified Clerkenwell & Islington guide and conservation architect Minerva, you will:
• Discover how Victorian industrial wasteland became London’s most desirable waterside living – and what this transformation cost some communities
• Learn why adaptive reuse of old buildings is the ultimate climate action – and which developers are getting sustainable regeneration right
• Compare two contrasting estate regenerations: Packington’s success story vs Colville’s cautionary tale of poor workmanship and displaced tenants
• Understand how the canal that once moved coal now moves gentrification – spotting genuine community benefit vs expensive window dressing
• Explore mixed-use developments and warehouse conversions that either honor or erase the area’s working-class heritage
” This tour was an incredible experience! The walk, combined with Minerva’s explanations, helped me rediscover the canal’s rich history and evolution. The tour highlights some of the key buildings along the canal, but it’s presented in a way that’s engaging and accessible, even for those who aren’t architecture enthusiasts. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to explore and learn more about this fascinating part of the city!”
Beautiful Barnsbury
See fine Georgian squares, secret gardens and London’s smallest nature reserve, while learning about the area’s history.
“fascinating… Lots of historical detail and anecdotes, and seeing things you would usually walk past without looking at or noticing.” Tripadvisor 5*
“Jonathan’s knowledge was immense and delivered with ease and professionalism – a natural speaker!” Tripadvisor 5*
“Jonathan is a superb guide… the mix of information and entertainment was just right… He offers personal insights, and communicates a real passion for his subject. ” Tripadvisor 5*
Dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, Barnsbury was for centuries a rural manor set back a little from the busy Islington main road of Upper Street.
In the 18th century its open fields, fresh water springs, pleasure gardens (and forerunner of the world’s most famous cricket ground) were built over by 18th century developers. This brought the growing middle classes into the area, but in the 19th century it was not immune to industrialisation, overcrowding and a workhouse for the poor.
Today, Barnsbury is one of inner London’s most beautiful areas, tucked away between Upper Street and Caledonian Road.
Start: Angel tube station
Finish: Close to Caledonian Road & Barnsbury Overground station, or a short walk to Highbury & Islington or Caledonian Road tube stations.
The walk lasts around two hours. Please be prepared for all weather conditions!
“Such a wonderful walk around one of the loveliest parts of London”
“A great afternoon visiting a part of Islington I thought I knew but found out more and more about!”
This walk takes place on the 29th of August and can be booked by clicking here.
St Mary Islington – Church and Tower Tour
Discover the history of Islington’s first parish church and climb the 120 steps to the top of tower for the best panoramic views across London.
St Mary’s church on Upper Street has played a central role in the history of Islington for over a thousand years and, during this time, several different churches have stood on the site, leaving an eclectic mix of architectural styles.
Find out about the 12th century Norman church, its 15th century medieval successor and the 18th century rebuild. During The Blitz of World War II St Mary’s suffered extensive damage – only the tower and steeple survived the bomb. The church was rebuilt in 1956 as a fascinating example of post-war reconstruction, enhanced by many unique artworks of interest.
Eclectic Clerkenwell
Monks, nuns, courthouses, rookeries, radicals, distillers, pubs, crafts, trades and architecture!
“Great Tour… Perfect style and pace.” Tripadvisor 5*
“Really interesting and entertaining… Jonathan is a knowledgeable and personable guide.” Tripadvisor 5*
“Excellent tour. Very interesting and informative.” Tripadvisor 5*
“Another fact filled walk… off the beaten track… Thoroughly recommend.” Tripadvisor 5*
On this circular walk from/to Farringdon Station, now one of the best connected stations in all of London, you will:
• Learn about Clerkenwell’s Norman and medieval monastic heritage.
• Discover Clerkenwell’s tradition for radicalism, dissent and protest.
• Understand its growth from rural monastic quarter to the first area to be swallowed up by creeping urbanisation.
• Hear about Clerkenwell’s history as a centre for makers of clocks, watches, jewellery and furniture; for brewers and distillers; and for crime and vice.
• See the sites of the historic court houses of the lost county of Middlesex.
• Admire architecture from the 16th to the 21st centuries in this attractive village-like area.
• Have a rare opportunity to see the Clerk’s Well that gave the area its name.
“Thanks for a great walk.”
“…a great tour… Immensely enjoyable and packed with fascinating details”
“enjoyed the informative dialogue and the hidden places visited”
The walk lasts approximately two hours. Please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: Farringdon Station forecourt (opposite Castle pub, Cowcross Street/Turnmill Street)
Finish: Farringdon Station
This walk takes place on the 12th of September and can be booked by clicking here.
Industrial Clerkenwell
This tour explores the architecture and history of the industries of the past along and around Clerkenwell Road, St John Street and surrounding streets, looking for traces of the warehouses, factories and working lives of a vanished world.
This walk takes place on the 26th of September and can be booked by clicking here.
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