Welcome to the December newsletter from Clerkenwell & Islington Guides, and as part of a new monthly feature, we have a podcast, which will be followed by the regular listing of walks for December and the first couple of weeks in January.
In 2025, we were invited to collaborate with students at City St George’s, University of London, to make a series of podcasts as part of their coursework. The idea was to highlight Islington’s diverse and colourful history via four investigative journeys on the themes of food, literature, migration and women. Each podcast features three of our guides sharing their extensive knowledge and we hope they inspire you to do a bit more sleuthing yourself.
We hope you enjoyed listening to how food and drink has influenced Islington. Now for our walks listing:
Iconic Stages of Islington: Theatre & Music Walking Tour
When people think of London’s theatre scene, the West End often comes to mind. However, to the surprise of many, Islington actually has a rich and diverse theatrical history, from Victorian music halls to today’s cutting-edge fringe theatre. This walk will take you through centuries of drama, dance, music and comedy, revealing the hidden stages that have shaped British theatre.
Why Islington?
Islington has been a centre of performance for over 400 years. The borough’s theatre history spans centuries of grand dance stages, lively pub theatres, and iconic music venues. Some of the UK’s greatest actors, playwrights, musicians, and comedians have started their careers here, and today, it remains a hub for bold, experimental theatre.
This tour uncovers the hidden stories of legendary venues, visionary theatre-makers, and show-stopping performances. Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast or a curious audience, come discover the borough’s stagey stories and enduring creative spirit.
Who is this tour for?
This tour is perfect for:
- Theatre enthusiasts eager to explore off-West End venues and theatre history.
- History lovers interested in the evolution of London’s entertainment scene.
- Curious Londoners keen to discover the hidden stories behind local landmarks.
No prior theatre knowledge is needed – just a comfortable pair of shoes and a sense of adventure!
Why You Should Join This Tour
This tour offers a fresh perspective on London’s theatre history, far from the West End’s bright lights. It’s a chance to discover hidden gems, hear fascinating stagey stories, and see where tomorrow’s stars are being made.
Even if you think you know London’s theatre scene, Islington will surprise you. And who knows? You might leave with tickets to a show at one of these incredible venues.
This walk takes place on the 7th of December at 11:00 and can be booked by clicking here.
Canonbury Tower Tour
Canonbury Tower was built in the late 16th century and is a rare survivor of Tudor domestic architecture in London. The Tower was added onto a manor house built in the early 1500s as the country retreat of the Canons of St Bartholomew’s Priory in Smithfield.
On this 90-minute tour you’ll see the existing Tudor interiors and hear about the many notable characters associated with the building. Over the centuries these have included Thomas Cromwell of Wolf Hall fame, Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, Francis Bacon and the writers Washington Irving (Sleepy Hollow) and Oliver Goldsmith (The Vicar of Wakefield). You’ll also have the chance to climb up to the rooftop which affords wonderful views over London in all directions.
Tours are available twice a month on the second Friday and the last Wednesday.
Canonbury Tower is owned by the Marquess of Northampton and has been in the same family since the 16th century. All visitors are guests of the seventh Marquess, Spencer Compton.
This tour takes place on the 12th of December and can be booked by clicking here.
The Slow Horses Stroll
Prepare to immerse yourself in the authentic London of Mick Herron’s Slow Horses novels and the acclaimed TV adaptation.
This walking tour takes you beyond the screen and pages, directly into the streets that inspired the stories and characters you love.
Your guides, Caroline and Nigel, will take you in the footsteps of your favourite bunch of MI5 misfits, and give you a whole new perspective on the city. You’ll see the actual Slough House and other real-life locations where memorable encounters with the Slow Horses take place. And along the way, you’ll discover the fascinating links between the series and London’s rich past — from the medieval heritage of its oldest parish church, to the Victorian grandeur of Smithfield Market, and the striking Brutalism of the Barbican.
The locations are brought to life with some of your guides’ favourite extracts from the novels and they’ll uncover the production secrets that transform this corner of the city into Lamb’s London.
The two-hour tour starts outside Barbican Underground Station (Hammersmith & City line) and ends near Old Street Station (Northern line).
Disclaimer: this walking tour of Slow Horses locations is in no way affiliated with Mick Herron or his publishers, See-Saw Films or Apple TV+
This walk takes place on the 12th of December and can be booked by clicking here.
A struggle for survival: A story of markets and monasteries in Clerkenwell
Join me on a walk-through, the mediaeval quarter of Clerkenwell with its dark alleyways and ghosts of the past
You will learn how and why monasteries and markets were established and how they struggled for survival, especially against King Henry the eighth. We will visit churches established by the monasteries and the famous Smithfield market now earmarked for closure. We will walk along the alleyways and ancient streets of Clerkenwell and learn how the area fell into decline and became a by word for poverty and crime.
We shall see how the area reinvented itself in the 19th and 20th century as an area famous for jewellery brewing and watchmaking.
At the end of the walk I have organised a private viewing of the Clarks well.
The walk will last two hours and the tour fee is £13 cash or card. No need to book just turn up on the day if you have time.
We meet outside Farringdon Station
This walk takes place on the 13th December at 13:00. No need to book, just turn up on the day.
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A brilliant tour… We were impressed by [the guides’] knowledge, enthusiasm and storytelling. And the view of London from the tower… is a feast for the eyes!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A very interesting 90 minutes. Guide friendly, well-prepared, informative and easy to listen to. Getting to the top of the 18th-century church tower is the highlight.”
For more info and booking for this tour please use this website link.
This tour is repeated monthly – to see all our up-coming tours please visit our Eventbrite page here
The December tour takes place on the 13th and can be booked by clicking here.
Ghostsigns of Islington: bygone brands and businesses
Ghostsigns are the remnants of old advertising that still cling to the walls above today’s busy streets depicting products or services that are no longer available. There are some excellent examples to be found in adjacent to Islington High Street.
Most of the signs we’ll look at will be the hand-painted variety, as per the example shown here, but you will also see other types of old signage such as low reliefs, forged metal and carved and gilded shop fronts.
Learn about the unusual businesses, people or products behind the signs; from vets to vegans, rubber to metal and cars to chemists.
Starts near the Town Hall and ends at Angel station.
For more info on this specific walk please use the website link at the bottom or see janeslondonwalks on Eventbrite
This walk takes place on the 17th of December and can be booked by clicking here.
Look At The Estate We’re In
An architectural appreciation tour showcasing a variety of well-designed social housing estates in Islington.
We’ll start in Essex Road and make our way to Highbury & Islington station via Victorian, Edwardian and pre-WWII developments made possible by concerned and innovative benefactors. We’ll also look at early LCC estates and Islington’s own, more recent, schemes. It’s a delightful route that always surprises.
Find out about the philanthropists and the architects behind the schemes and how their cleverly designed and solid-built constructions brought about a sense of pride and well-being. See how these estates continue to look good today.
For more info on this specific walk please use the website link at the bottom or see janeslondonwalks on Eventbrite
This walk takes place on the 18th of December and can be booked by clicking here.
Canonbury Tower Tour
Canonbury Tower was built in the late 16th century and is a rare survivor of Tudor domestic architecture in London. The Tower was added onto a manor house built in the early 1500s as the country retreat of the Canons of St Bartholomew’s Priory in Smithfield.
On this 90-minute tour you’ll see the existing Tudor interiors and hear about the many notable characters associated with the building. Over the centuries these have included Thomas Cromwell of Wolf Hall fame, Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, Francis Bacon and the writers Washington Irving (Sleepy Hollow) and Oliver Goldsmith (The Vicar of Wakefield). You’ll also have the chance to climb up to the rooftop which affords wonderful views over London in all directions.
Tours are available twice a month on the second Friday and the last Wednesday.
Canonbury Tower is owned by the Marquess of Northampton and has been in the same family since the 16th century. All visitors are guests of the seventh Marquess, Spencer Compton.
This tour takes place on the 9th of January and can be booked by clicking here.
Up the Cally
Caledonian Road is far from London’s tourist trail but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see. Far from it, in this two our zig zag stroll around Islington’s less well known spots Rob Smith will introduce you to a host of curiosities
The former home of a live chimpanzee show
Poetry in unexpected places
You’ll hear about the suffragette who starred in Britain’s first martial arts film
You’ll visit the site of an experimental Island community
All this and a prison, quiet gardens and a clock tower
Here’s your chance to see some of the real London with a qualified Islington guide
This walk takes place on the 12th of January and can be booked by clicking here.
Our next newsletter will be on the first Sunday of January.
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