Welcome to our newsletter of walks and events for the month of November, and we have a full programme of walks for the coming month, starting with a walk that takes place today if you would like to head out and explore the rich and diverse theatrical history of Islington:
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 2nd of November and can be booked by clicking 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.
The Dark Side of Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell may have been crowned the best place to live in London in 2024 by The Times, but behind today’s calm streets lies a far darker past. Between the 18th and early 20th centuries, Clerkenwell was one of the most dangerous corners of London—a place where poverty, crime, and death walked hand in hand.
Once a thriving hub of industry, Clerkenwell drew in waves of migrants seeking work. But the promises of the Industrial Revolution soon gave way to grim reality: squalid housing, meagre wages, and desperate choices. For many, life narrowed to just two fates—the workhouse or the prison. And in this climate, crime flourished. The district gained a reputation as a den of thieves, pickpockets, and highwaymen, while its slums inspired some of Charles Dickens’ most vivid characters.
From the 17th century onwards, at least four different prisons operated here, packed with thieves, debtors, radicals, and the destitute. The Middlesex House of Correction—infamous for its severity—was once the largest prison in the country. Their looming presence gave rise to the magnificent Sessions House on Clerkenwell Green, for years the busiest courthouse in England.
On this walk we’ll uncover two centuries of Clerkenwell’s hidden history. From the escapades of Jack Sheppard, the infamous 18th-century thief and master of escape, to the rise of the Italian gangs of the Sabinis and the Cortesis, Clerkenwell’s streets echo with tales both thrilling and chilling.
If you want to discover the side of Clerkenwell that Londoners once feared, join me on this walk. Don’t worry—you’ll be safe.
This walk takes place on the 6th, 15th and 20th of November 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 7th and the 30th of November and can be booked by clicking here.
Revealed: Why the Great Fire of London nearly didn’t happen
Find out about the circumstances of the Great Devastation, the main characters and visit some of the rebuilt churches.
We walk through the City from Tower of London to Clerkenwell following the 5 days of the Fire
Meet outside Tower of London ticket office.
Tour lasts 2 Hours
Walk Date: 10th and 25th of November 2025 at 10.45am
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 on the website link at the bottom or see janeslondonwalks on Eventbrite
This walk takes place on the 11th of November and can be booked by clicking here.
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.
For more info on this specific walk please use on the website link at the bottom or see janeslondonwalks on Eventbrite
This walk takes place on the 11th of November 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.
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 14th and 26th of November and can be booked by clicking here.
Islington World War Walk
Discover Islington`s role in two world wars. The factory that saved Britain from invasion, the second world war soldier turned wandering Buddhist mystic, the former arsenal stadium at its surprising role in winning both world wars, where some of the most notorious bombs fell and where some of Islington`s greatest heroes lived.
This walk takes place on the 15th of November and can be booked by clicking here.
Clerkenwell Crime and Punishment
Turbulent centuries of monasteries, vengeance, courthouses, prisons, murder, social reformers, a bomb plot and more….
Clerkenwell lies just outside the old City, originally the location of the monastic houses from the late 1100s. When Henry VIII siezed these in the 1500s, some occupants met grim fates. Over the following centuries, the population increased greatly as London grew and people came looking for work, and in turn the area became overcrowded, crime-ridden and squalid. As it lay outside the City’s direct jurisdiction (part of Middlesex), the area attracted radicals, rebels and criminals. The local system of magistrates, judges and parishes in turn built prisons, courthouses and workhouses.
This walk explores the nature of crime and the various punishments meted out over the centuries in this fascinating area. The route is roughly circular so we will start and end near Farringdon Station – allow 2 hours +.
This walk takes place on the 23rd of November and can be booked by clicking here.
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!”
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The walk lasts approximately 2 and a half hours along canal towpaths (with a 10 minute comfort break if the group requires it). Please wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing as there is no shelter along the route. Bring a water bottle.
This walk takes place on the 30th of November and can be booked by clicking here.
Our next newsletter will be on the first Sunday in December, and as usual, our website will be updates with new walks throughout the coming months, click here for a full listing.
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