Walks by Clerkenwell and Islington Guides
Want to become a tour guide? The Clerkenwell & Islington Guiding course starting in January 2019 at the University of Westminster now is open for applications. It’s a great way of learning about Clerkenwell & Islington. For more information click here.
Click on any of the walk below to learn more and book tickets for the event:
february
21feb14:0016:00Islington - London's Larder14:00 - 16:00 Guide: Rob Smith
Event Details
A walk that looks at how Islington has supplied London with food, from medieval herb gardens, dairy farms and tea gardens right up to the restaurants of today
Event Details
A walk that looks at how Islington has supplied London with food, from medieval herb gardens, dairy farms and tea gardens right up to the restaurants of today
Time
(Thursday) 14:00 - 16:00
Location
Angel
Angel Underground Station, Upper Street, Islington, London N1 9LJ
Guide
Rob Smith07806714006 rob.smith@footprintsoflondon.com

Event Details
At the end of the 20th century Kings Cross was at the heart of London's LGBT social scene Relive the heady days of the Scala cinema movie nights and The Bell
Event Details
At the end of the 20th century Kings Cross was at the heart of London’s LGBT social scene Relive the heady days of the Scala cinema movie nights and The Bell Pub and visit the Central Station pub who have supported every spectrum of LGBT society from SM Dykes to the Gay Christian movement since the early 1990s. Also, discover the area’s history of activism and community support from the setting up of the London Gay Switchboard in the 1970s through to current organisations such as Say it Loud and Gendered Intelligence.
Time
(Sunday) 11:00 - 12:30
Location
Kings Cross
Kings Cross Station Euston Road, Kings Cross London N1 9AL
Guide
An Islington Guided Walks Guide
march
02mar14:0015:30Funny Islington14:00 - 15:30 Guide: An Islington Guided Walks Guide

Event Details
Funny Islington offers a rip roaring tour of the Angel area followed by a comedy show. You’ll discover how Islington established itself as an entertainment hotspot, from spas and pleasure
Event Details
Funny Islington offers a rip roaring tour of the Angel area followed by a comedy show. You’ll discover how Islington established itself as an entertainment hotspot, from spas and pleasure gardens and a legendary clown, to the comic geniuses of music hall and early cinema, and brilliant comedy writers. You’ll also find out about the local pubs and comedy clubs that have launched the careers of so many famous modern day comedians – and at the end of the walk, you’re invited to a free comedy show at The Bill Murray.
Time
(Saturday) 14:00 - 15:30
Location
Angel
Angel Underground Station, Upper Street, Islington, London N1 9LJ
Guide
An Islington Guided Walks Guide
04mar11:0004apr13:00Waterways, Wharves and Windmills11:00 - (april 4) 13:00 Guide: Jane Parker
Event Details
Take a stroll along and above the Regent's Canal following the Islington's boundary with Hackney. Hear about this waterway's rich history and marvel at how much has
Event Details
Take a stroll along and above the Regent’s Canal following the Islington’s boundary with Hackney. Hear about this waterway’s rich history and marvel at how much has changed. Learn about boats and beds, warehouses and factories, rubber and metal, fancy goods and pleasure gardens.
Time
March 4 (Monday) 11:00 - April 4 (Thursday) 13:00
Location
City Road Basin
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk

Event Details
A Clerkenwell walk celebrating some of the many Islington LGBT+ firsts – from Chris Smith, the UK’s first openly gay Member of Parliament in 1984 to the UK’s first legal
Event Details
A Clerkenwell walk celebrating some of the many Islington LGBT+ firsts – from Chris Smith, the UK’s first openly gay Member of Parliament in 1984 to the UK’s first legal afterhours club Trade which opened in 1990s. As well as dance, music, clubs and pubs the walk explores many of the poignant, funny and brave stories of life and activism recorded by the Islington’s Pride project.
Time
(Saturday) 11:00 - 13:00
Location
Barbican (Underground)
135 Aldersgate Street EC1A 4JA
Guide
An Islington Guided Walks Guide
16mar14:3016:00Clerkenwell Highlights Walk14:30 - 16:00 Guide: Tom Barbanneau

Event Details
Just north of the City of London, Clerkenwell is home to ancient monasteries and churches, which sit conspicuously amidst modern restaurants and bars. Living amongst a community known for
more
Event Details
Just north of the City of London, Clerkenwell is home to ancient monasteries and churches, which sit conspicuously amidst modern restaurants and bars. Living amongst a community known for its Italian artisans and Huguenot refugees were plenty of colourful characters and famous faces. This walk explores the history of the area from its monastic origins, through its 19th century development and bustling markets and fairs.
The walk starts outside Barbican tube station (Aldersgate Street) and lasts around 90 minutes.
Time
(Saturday) 14:30 - 16:00
Location
Barbican (Underground)
135 Aldersgate Street EC1A 4JA
Guide
Tom Barbanneautom.barbanneau@ciga.org.uk

Event Details
At the end of the 20th century Kings Cross was at the heart of London's LGBT social scene Relive the heady days of the Scala cinema movie nights and The Bell
Event Details
At the end of the 20th century Kings Cross was at the heart of London’s LGBT social scene Relive the heady days of the Scala cinema movie nights and The Bell Pub and visit the Central Station pub who have supported every spectrum of LGBT society from SM Dykes to the Gay Christian movement since the early 1990s. Also, discover the area’s history of activism and community support from the setting up of the London Gay Switchboard in the 1970s through to current organisations such as Say it Loud and Gendered Intelligence.
Time
(Sunday) 11:00 - 12:30
Location
Kings Cross
Kings Cross Station Euston Road, Kings Cross London N1 9AL
Guide
An Islington Guided Walks Guide

Event Details
Irish people have been settling in London since the 18th century and over time the area of North Islington, specifically around Archway, has become one of the largest Irish communities
more
Event Details
Time
(Saturday) 10:30 - 12:00
Location
Archway
Archway Underground Station, Junction Rd, London, N19 5RQ
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk

Event Details
A Clerkenwell walk celebrating some of the many Islington LGBT+ firsts – from Chris Smith, the UK’s first openly gay Member of Parliament in 1984 to the UK’s first legal
Event Details
A Clerkenwell walk celebrating some of the many Islington LGBT+ firsts – from Chris Smith, the UK’s first openly gay Member of Parliament in 1984 to the UK’s first legal afterhours club Trade which opened in 1990s. As well as dance, music, clubs and pubs the walk explores many of the poignant, funny and brave stories of life and activism recorded by the Islington’s Pride project.
Time
(Saturday) 11:00 - 13:00
Location
Barbican (Underground)
135 Aldersgate Street EC1A 4JA
Guide
An Islington Guided Walks Guide
Event Details
This walk brings the Grossmiths' satirical spoof diary to life. You’ll visit real places and hear about real people of that era whilst listening to amusing excerpts
Event Details
This walk brings the Grossmiths’ satirical spoof diary to life. You’ll visit real places and hear about real people of that era whilst listening to amusing excerpts from Mr Pooter’s diary. You don’t need to have already read the book to enjoy this tour, but you’ll want to afterwards.
Time
(Saturday) 14:00 - 15:30
Location
Upper Holloway
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk
Event Details
Travel back in time to the late Victorian era when the Nag’s Head of Holloway rivalled the Central London for shopping and entertainment. Hear about fancy tea
Event Details
Travel back in time to the late Victorian era when the Nag’s Head of Holloway rivalled the Central London for shopping and entertainment. Hear about fancy tea rooms, banqueting halls, palatial variety theatres, unusual transport and a couple of labyrinthine department stores.
Time
(Saturday) 17:00 - 18:30
Location
Holloway, Nags Head
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk
Event Details
Let's look at some stylish and statement buildings in N4 and N5 to see how local businesses as well as places of entertainment, sport and transport applied
Event Details
Let’s look at some stylish and statement buildings in N4 and N5 to see how local businesses as well as places of entertainment, sport and transport applied the clean lines and design devices of the ArtDeco/modernist era. We’ll also see how this movement has continued to inspire today’s architects.
Time
(Thursday) 11:00 - 12:30
Location
Arsenal
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk
28mar14:0015:30Art Deco Holloway – architectural delights of the 1930s14:00 - 15:30
Event Details
Come and marvel at some impressive 'statement' architecture constructed in the 1920s and 1930s during a design period known as Art Deco. Examples of this style are
Event Details
Come and marvel at some impressive ‘statement’ architecture constructed in the 1920s and 1930s during a design period known as Art Deco. Examples of this style are hiding in plain view almost at every junction of Holloway N7 on commercial buildings, places of entertainment and housing.
Time
(Thursday) 14:00 - 15:30
Location
Holloway, Nags Head
28mar17:0017:30Lyrics and Limericks, Fantasy and Fraud17:00 - 17:30
Event Details
Poets and authors, playwrights and musicians, artists, diarists and thieves. A mixed bag showcasing the diverse and often innovative creative people who have lived and
Event Details
Poets and authors, playwrights and musicians, artists, diarists and thieves.
A mixed bag showcasing the diverse and often innovative creative people who have lived and worked in the Holloway area. Plus a couple of infamous characters too.
Time
(Thursday) 17:00 - 17:30
Location
Holloway
Event Details
A walk through some of Islington’s impressive social housing. We'll visit Victorian dwellings and early LCC estates and compare them with recently constructed schemes. We'll talk
Event Details
A walk through some of Islington’s impressive social housing. We’ll visit Victorian dwellings and early LCC estates and compare them with recently constructed schemes. We’ll talk about philanthropists, schools, churches, poverty and pride, architecture and design.
Time
(Saturday) 11:00 - 12:30
Location
Essex Road
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk
april
Event Details
Take a stroll along and above the Regent's Canal following the Islington's boundary with Hackney. Hear about this waterway's rich history and marvel at how much has
Event Details
Take a stroll along and above the Regent’s Canal following the Islington’s boundary with Hackney. Hear about this waterway’s rich history and marvel at how much has changed. Learn about boats and beds, warehouses and factories, rubber and metal, fancy goods and pleasure gardens.
Time
March 4 (Monday) 11:00 - April 4 (Thursday) 13:00
Location
City Road Basin
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk
09apr15:0016:30Boxes, Babies, Beans and Bras15:00 - 16:30 Guide: Jane Parker
Event Details
A wander through the backstreets of Islington following a trail of old hand-painted signs above and around the Regents Canal. See and hear evidence of a diverse
Event Details
A wander through the backstreets of Islington following a trail of old hand-painted signs above and around the Regents Canal. See and hear evidence of a diverse range of companies and products from ladies’ underwear and fancy boxes to metals, canvas and ceramics.
Time
(Tuesday) 15:00 - 16:30
Location
City Road Basin
Guide
Jane Parkerjane.parker@ciga.org.uk
13apr11:0012:30Green and Pleasant Islington11:00 - 12:30
Event Details
Quiet spaces, peaceful gardens and lovely quiet backstreets just a stone's throw from the busy main road. We'll visit open fields, an award-winning park, a hidden garden,
Event Details
Quiet spaces, peaceful gardens and lovely quiet backstreets just a stone’s throw from the busy main road. We’ll visit open fields, an award-winning park, a hidden garden, farms old and new, a churchyard, sports fields and shady meadows, talking about dogs and desire, renovation and recycling.
Time
(Saturday) 11:00 - 12:30
Location
Highbury & Islington
Discover the secrets of Clerkenwell and Islington on guided walking tours led by one of the Mayor of Islington’s official guides.
CIGA Guides also do tours of three amazing buildings in our area. Charterhouse, The Museum of the Order of St John and Canonbury Tower.
If you would like to hear about future walks, then please leave your details here.
Please note – when you book or attend these walks you are making a contract with the individual guide and not the Clerkenwell & Islington Guiding Association. Please contact the individual guide if you want to know more about the walk.
You can also arrange special or customised walks in the Borough of Islington covering any area or theme. These are ideal for family celebrations, or business team building or social events. For further information or if you want to give any feedback on Clerkenwell and Islington guides, please contact us by email at info@ciga.org.uk
(c) Clerkenwell and Islington Guides’ Association, 2018