Welcome to the July listing of walks and events by Clerkenwell & Islington Guides, and for the next couple of months we have a comprehensive range of walks that cover so many aspects of the architecture, history and culture of this fascinating part of London, starting with:
The Diary of a Nobody – Mr Pooter’s High Brow Holloway
The Diary of a Nobody started as a popular satirical column in Punch magazine in 1888 before being extended and published in book form a few years later.
This guided tour brings the book to life, taking you back to the late Victorian middle-class Upper Holloway that Mr. Charles Pooter and his family and friends might have experienced had they been real people.
We’ll look at relevant buildings, shops, and street furniture which link to the stories in the diary, such as his silly arguments with the ironmonger, the shirt dresser and the stationer. Find out about 1880’s Holloway in the form of theatre venues, transportation, tradesmen and gin palaces as you roll your eyes at Pooter’s clunky puns.
You don’t need to have already read the book to enjoy this tour, but it’s likely you’ll want to do so afterwards!
This walk takes place on the 9th of July and can be booked as follows:
Islington’s Big Screens – a cinematic walking tour
Join guide Nigel Smith for a walking tour through more than 100 years of cinema-going in Islington, taking in cinemas past and present.
A stroll through more than 100 years of Islington cinema-going; all between Angel and Essex Road stations. We’ll encounter Victorian showmen, architectural wonders and tales of bad behaviour in the stalls. Come to discover hidden gems and hear what a night ‘at the flicks’ was like decades before multiplexes.
In addition to such landmarks as the Screen on the Green, you’ll see some buildings that were once cinemas as well as a few intriguing places where all trace of their cinematic past has vanished.
The walk lasts about 2 hours, starts at Angel station and ends near Essex Road station.
This walk takes place on the 19th of July and can be booked as follows:
Evolving Islington – a walking tour
Discover how Islington developed from a rural settlement and centre for dairy farming into the diverse, bustling area it is today.
In 1086 the Domesday Book reported that Islington contained just 27 households. Today its quarter-of-a-million residents live in an area that boasts world-class cultural venues but also less green space than any other London borough.
The story of how Islington developed over the centuries provides many tales of social, cultural and political history. The walk takes in many of central Islington’s most fascinating sites – some well-known and others even locals may not be familiar with.
You’ll see a Tudor house that’s been in the same family since the 16th century, the first church bombed in World War II and some of the pioneering homes built in the early 20th century as Islington’s population boomed. You’ll also find out how the world-famous Union Chapel got its name and why you should never graffiti in a library book…
The tour lasts about 2 hours. It starts at Highbury & Islington station (we’ll meet at the round benches near the station) and ends in Islington Square off Upper Street, a 10-minute walk from both Angel and Highbury & Islington stations.
This walk takes place on the 19th of July and can be booked as follows:
Bunhill: Barracks, Bone Yards and Baths
Discover nonconformist burial grounds, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army, a 90 year-old public baths and wash-house, the site of London’s first outdoor swimming pool and one of its most unusual churches.
“Another walk where you think you know the patch and Jonathan shows you the hidden stories!”
Sitting between today’s financial district and the Angel, Islington’s Bunhill ward is named after an ancient bone yard. Once marshland outside the walls of the City of London, for a while the area offered spas and outdoor leisure facilities. As urbanisation swallowed the fields, the area became industrialised and populated by tradesmen, the poor and the sick.
The legacy of the past is still visible, but this walk will also reveal some hidden architectural gems and tranquil open spaces.
The walk lasts approximately two hours. It will take place come rain or shine, so please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: outside Moorgate tube station, the western entrance on Moorfields (follow signposts to Exit 1).
Finish: close to Old Street tube station.
This walk takes place on the 20th of July and tickets are available at the following link: Guided walks, London blog | London On The Ground
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.
This walk takes place on the 21st of July and can be booked as follows:
All Around the Houses (Essex Road to Regent’s Canal)
Part of the proceeds from this walk will support the Arlington Association’s fund-raising for local charities and to maintain Arlington Square’s garden.
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Keep it to yourself, but the streets between Essex Road and the Regent’s Canal form one of Islington’s hidden pockets of tranquility and beauty.
See a microcosm of Islington’s history, heritage and housing in this area’s architecture, waterways, gardens and pubs and discover its close ties to the ancient City of London.
London On The Ground’s guided walk in this area will let you in on its secrets. Highlights include:
– Islington’s early story from the Domesday Book to the 1500s.
– Mid 19th century terraced houses and social housing from the 1800s to the 2000s.
– A Victorian church and almshouses with historic ties to the City of London.
– A school with links to Pink Floyd and a mural commemorating the New River.
– The Regent’s Canal.
– An award-winning public garden square maintained by local residents.
– A community pub, where the tour will end (with a drink for those who would like one!).
Start: Outside Essex Road station, Canonbury Road N1
Finish: The Hanbury pub, Linton Street N1
The walk will take between 90 mins and 2 hrs. Please be prepared for all weathers!
“A thoroughly enjoyable tour.”
“… a lovely walk, definitely recommended.”
“Great walk, well structured, paced and delivered.”
This walk takes place on the 24th of July and tickets can be booked at the following link: Guided walks, London blog | London On The Ground
178 STEPS TO HEAVEN
Islington Guided Walks are organising Caledonian Clock Tower again. Tours are arranged for Saturday 26 July and Sunday 24 August.
The Tower originally opened in 1855 as part of the Caledonian Meat Market which operated from the area now known as Caledonian Park in Market Street N7 close to Caledonian Road Underground Station. It is 45 metres high with178 steps to climb.
The tour will cover the fascinating history of London’s meat markets, you will also be able to see the insides of the wonderful pendulum clock that is older than Big Ben. At the top of the Tower, there are fantastic, photogenic 360°views around London.
There are multiple dates for this tour, the first on the 26th of July. Tickets can be booked as follows:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/caledonian-market-clock-tower-tours-3488199
The tours of Caledonian Clock Tower are a wonderful opportunity to see the inside of the tower as well as views from the top. As well as the stunning photo above, the following photos provide a sense of what will be seen on the tour:
Unusual Islington – a walking tour
Discover the hidden gems that make this corner of London so unique
Join qualified local guide Nigel Smith for a captivating and surprising journey through the charming streets of Islington.
This two-hour walking tour is designed to unveil the area’s rich and often overlooked history, showcasing the intriguing stories and quirky details that make this corner of London so unique.
Just a stone’s throw from bustling Upper Street we’ll delve into the hidden alleyways, secret gardens and architectural oddities that even locals might miss. You’ll uncover tales of radical politicians, ghostly goings-on and the philanthropists whose generosity more than 600 years ago is still enjoyed today. Strolling through serene squares and peaceful backstreets you’ll discover that Islington is a lot more unusual than you might think…
This tour is perfect for anyone curious about London’s lesser-known stories, whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor. Prepare to be surprised, entertained, and enlightened as we uncover the unusual and captivating history of Islington.
The tour lasts approximately two hours, starts outside Angel Station and ends at Islington Town Hall on Upper Street.
This walk takes place on the 2nd of August and can be booked as follows:
Groundbreaking Women of Islington
This walk in the Angel area tells the stories of groundbreaking women of Islington that changed the course of history.
“A really inspiring walk”
“Thanks for the great tour”
“I really enjoyed it”
The walk includes women from the 16th to the 21st centuries, who made significant contributions to philanthropy, politics, literature, sport, leisure, community activities, music, film, theatre and the arts. See where they drew their inspiration from Islington and where they left their mark on the area.
The walk lasts approximately two hours. Please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: Outside the entrance to Sadlers Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN
Finish: A short walk from Highbury & Islington tube station
“Thanks for a great adventure this afternoon! …there were bits I was familiar with and LOTS I learned!”
This walk takes place on the 9th of August and tickets are available at the following link: Guided walks, London blog | London On The Ground
Our next newsletter will be on the first Sunday of August, but please check our calendar of walks as this is regularly updated, and can be found at the following link:
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