Following our newsletter last Sunday, here are three late entrants to our calendar of walks, all taking place during the month of April, and all three offering very different views of the streets and history of Islington, and as the weather seems to be improving, they provide the perfect opportunity for a walk:
Mary Wollstonecraft and Newington Green
A statue in honour of Mary Wollstonecraft is now a feature of Newington Green but there’s a long history of radical thought in the area, explored on this walk. The Unitarian Chapel is the oldest nonconformist chapel still in use, and the original China Inland Mission still stands next to the Green. The walk will also explore connections to the New River and find evidence of a demolished Jewish synagogue, as well as exploring the beautiful Canonbury villas nearby.
This walk takes place on the 20th of April at 14:00, and can be booked by clicking here.
Ghostsigns of Islington: bygone brands and businesses
Remnants of old advertising, for bygone brands and businesses, are today known as ‘ghostsigns’ and there are some good examples to be found clinging to the walls above Islington’s busy streets. Most of the signs we’ll look at on this two-hour walk will be the hand-painted variety, as per the example shown here which is an adaptation of one of the signs you’ll see on the tour. You will also see other types of old signage such as low reliefs and beautiful shop fronts.
Find out about the unusual businesses, people or products behind the ads; from vets to vegans, rubber to metal and cars to chemists.
This walk takes place on the 21st of April at 15:00, and can be booked by clicking here.
Holloway’s Heyday – The Oxford Street of the North
Discover how the Nag’s Head area of Holloway Road quickly evolved from a well-to-do middle class suburb to become North London’s go-to shopping district, offering the best selection of well-known brands, impressive independent outlets, beautiful restaurants and top-end entertainment, all accessed by excellent wide roads and frequent rail services.
The evidence is all around us. Hints of history are hiding in plain view within ornate shop façades and architectural details. See evidence of palatial variety theatres, drapery stores, men’s outfitters, gin palaces, tea rooms, banqueting halls and the early labyrinthine department stores, one of which grew to become one of the best-known shops in North London, succeeding into the latter part of the twentieth century. And learn about its friendly rival round the corner, which was slightly larger, more impressive and, possibly, an even more successful establishment in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
This walk takes place on the 28th of April at 15:00 and can be booked by clicking here.
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