Welcome to our newsletter of walks and events for March 2026, and with Spring approaching, and the hope of improving weather, we have a record number of walks for the month of March to tempt you out to explore Clerkenwell and Islington.
The first three walks are for today, Sunday 1st of March if you are looking for an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday, starting with:
Kings Cross Ghostsigns – Boots, Breakfast, Bates and Weights
The streets in Islington’s most western area, adjacent to Kings Cross station, used to be slathered in advertising. On this tour we look at some of the examples that are still visible, whether painted onto walls or as carved panels, hinting at a world before back-lit perspex and interactive screens.
See a cross section of old signage as you learn about the businesses, brands and people behind the signs for innovative inventions and bogus potions, as well as big names and products that are still available today.
This walk takes place on the 1st of March 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.
This walk takes place on the 1st of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Groundbreaking Women of Islington
This walk in the Angel area tells the stories of groundbreaking women of Islington that changed the course of history.
“Excellent…. very professional and knowledgeable…. fun and informative” Tripadvisor 5*
“A really inspiring walk”
“Thanks for the great tour”
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
This walk takes place on the 1st of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Finsbury in Print
Finsbury’s narrow streets and courts provide the setting for many novels. We pass by novelist Arnold Bennetts’s Riceyman Steps, through George Gissing’s Nether World, see where Dickens’ Oliver Twist first met Mr Brownlow and meet the inspiration for Miss Haversham.
Closely associated with the print trade, Finsbury was also home to many magazines and journals, from the Gentleman’s Magazine of the 18th century, through Lenin’s Iskra to feminist Spare Rib in the 1970s with stories by Margaret Drabble and Edna O’Brien among others.
This walk takes place on the 2nd of March and can be booked by clicking here, and on the 8th of March, click here.
Union Chapel Guided Tour
The Union Chapel has towered over Upper Street in Islington since the 1870s and today thrives as an award-winning venue, homelessness project and a working radical church.
On the tour, led by an expert Islington Guided Walks guide, you’ll see this architectural gem up close and discover the building’s fascinating history.
The Grade I listed Victorian Gothic Chapel is one of the largest Nonconformist churches in London. It houses an important Father Henry Willis organ that is one of few left in the UK with an original hydraulic blowing system, stunning stained glass windows and a distinctive octagonal interior built for acoustics and visibility.
Take a tour and learn more about Islington’s heritage, the Chapel’s triumphant survival after a wartime bomb, and the fascinating story of its near demolition in the 1980s, at a time when Victorian architecture was only just being appreciated.
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.
Clerkenwell Road – Warehouse to Hard House
A guided tour of Victorian warehouses and industries on a road that was key to the great 19th-century reshaping of London
This tour explores the architecture and history of Victorian warehouses and the industries of the past along and around Clerkenwell Road, as well as the 19th-century drive to reshape London through the building of roads and railways.
The creation of Clerkenwell Road carved a swathe through the city’s history, destroying neighbourhoods, making hundreds of people homeless and changing the social make-up of the area.
Today this area is full of architects, designers and cafes, but in earlier times this was a place of warehouses and factories, from crystal glass manufacturing to clockmakers, printers to gin distillers. It went on to be home to some of the famous names of the 20th century, including Columbia Records, Kodak Cameras and Zetter’s Pools – not forgetting the legendary nightclub Turnmills. Traces and clues to this rich history still remain and we’ll see how many we can find.
The tour starts at Barbican exit to the Elizabeth Line on Long Lane, opposite the Old Red Cow pub, and will take about 90 minutes, ending a short distance from Farringdon station. It’s a gentle wander on flat city pavements, though some of them are quite narrow.
The tour will start at 11am so please aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early.
This tour takes place on the 7th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Islington World War Walk
I dive into the world war history of Islington. The location of the factory that saved Britain. The British soldier turned wandering buddhist mystic, the libraries haunted by wartime ghosts; The Homes of some of Islington`s heroes; The location of where some of the most notorious bombs fell in Islington and the former Arsenal stadium and its intriguing role in winning two world wars.
This walk takes place on the 7th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
From bridges to canals: remarkable women in Kings Cross
From warrior queens to scientists, writers, reformers and pop icons, this tour uncovers the powerful, rebellious and visionary women who shaped not only this neighbourhood, but the wider world. Expect hidden histories, bold personalities, and a fresh perspective on a part of London you thought you knew.
Over approximately 2 hours, we’ll explore powerful highlights—from the rebellion of Boudica and the literary magic of J. K. Rowling, to “Girl Power” with the Spice Girls, groundbreaking science with Rosalind Franklin, radical feminist thought from Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley, political change led by Barbara Castle, and the resilience of the WWII “Idle Women” who kept Britain’s canals moving.
Meeting point by the main entrance of King’s Place, just a 10-minute walk from King’s Cross Underground Station.
This walk takes place on the 8th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
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 8th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Literary Holloway
A mixed bag showcasing the diverse and creative people who have lived and worked in the Holloway area across the centuries.
Learn about innovators and inventors, diarists and dandies, punks and painters, space travel and sport.
We’ll visit locations associated with poets, playwrights, musicians, artists and thieves – some names you might already know but other fascinating characters will, I hope, be new to you.
The walk starts near Holloway Road tube station and lasts just under two hours, ending near Upper Holloway station / ten minutes’ walk from Archway tube station.
This walk takes place on the 10th of March 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 walk takes place on the 13th of March 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.
The Only Way Is Essex Road
One of Islington’s often-ignored streets, this thoroughfare offers a wealth of diverse history and architectural delights.
Jane will lead you along the full length of the road from Islington Green to Ball’s Pond Road covering 500 years of history, from Tudor houses, through 1820’s Georgian splendour and Victorian expansion to Art Deco embellishment and today’s new developments.
Along the way you’ll hear about institutions, innovations, clean water, vaudeville, alcohol, scuppered plans and criminal damage.
This walk takes place on the 17th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Nipping and Noshing in Clerkenwell
A tour with a former Pub Landlady and Cook which explores not only the why and wherefore of the explosion of restaurants, cafes and bars in the area over the last 30 years or so, but also dining and drinking from the past, including feasting with royalty and monks, eating with the Victorian working classes and how Gin nearly drove everyone crazy!
This tour starts outside the Elizabeth Line entrance to Farringdon Station, Cowcross Street – opposite the Underground entrance and near to the Castle Pub – starting at 1100, but please arrive about 5 to 10 minutes before we set off. We’ll finish at Exmouth Market after about 90 minutes – a short walk to Farringdon or Angel stations
This walk takes place on the 21st of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Historic Highbury- a guided history walk with pub stop
Join ““Qualified Islington guide and local resident Greg for a fun and informative stroll through the streets of historic Canonbury, starting at Highbury! Discover fascinating stories and hidden gems as we explore the area’s rich history. Along the way, we’ll pop into a classic local pub for a comfort break and beverage (optional additional pubs pre-tour and at the end) Perfect for history buffs, music lovers and pub lovers alike. Lace up your walking shoes and come ready to explore!
This walk takes place on the 21st of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Former Carlton Cinema, Essex Road – guided building tour
Take a rare look inside Islington’s glorious Grade II* listed 1930s Egyptian cinema.
When the Carlton Cinema on Essex Road opened in 1930 it was advertised as ‘North London’s most palatial cine-variety theatre’ with 2,500 seats and an in-house orchestra.
After the cinema closed in 1972 the building was converted into a bingo club which continued for almost 35 years until the last numbers were called in March 2007. Since 2015 it’s been home to Gracepoint church.
The unique, Egyptian-inspired building was designed by legendary cinema architect George Coles and much of the stunning original interior is still visible today.
On this special tour cinema historian Nigel Smith will take you back to the cinema’s glory days in the 1930s and 40s when going to the ‘flicks’ was a national pastime and Saturday morning clubs saw hundreds of kids flock to the pictures every weekend.
The tour will last approximately 90 minutes and you’ll see inside the auditorium, lobby and former café area. £5 from each ticket sale will go towards the building restoration fund.
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!”
This walk takes place on the 28th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
Eclectic Clerkenwell
Monks, nuns, courthouses, rookeries, radicals, distillers, pubs, crafts, trades and architecture!
“Great Tour… Perfect style and pace.” 5* Tripadvisor
“Really interesting and entertaining… Jonathan is a knowledgeable and personable guide.” 5* Tripadvisor
“Excellent tour. Very interesting and informative.” 5* Tripadvisor
“Another fact filled walk… off the beaten track… Thoroughly recommend.” 5* Tripadvisor
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.
“…a great tour… Immensely enjoyable and packed with fascinating details”
“Thanks for a great walk.”
“a very enjoyable walk with Jonathan around Clerkenwell”
“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 28th of March 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 28th of March and can be booked by clicking here.
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.
Our next newsletter will be on the first weekend in April, and until then, our website is regularly updated with new walks.
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