a watery wander around the Angel Islington

A circular walk from Angel tube, exploring the influences of water sources. Islington and Clerkenwell developed around a hilly area with an abundance of water from natural springs, wells and the River Fleet, all now more or less hidden. The New River – an astonishing early 17C waterworks scheme with engineering and reservoirs – and the early 19C manmade Regent’s Canal and basins followed. Meanwhile, some of the springs had been turned into risqué pleasure gardens and a famous theatre, then the residential boom of Georgian and Victorian squares and streets sprung up.

This walk traces all things watery, tells of an eccentric estate owner, an evangelical Countess and a lost cricket ground.

The walk lasts 2 hours, starts at the Angel station and ends in a historic market near the start.