A Brief History of Islington | Islington Vibes

History of Islington 

Islington may be one of London’s trendiest boroughs now, but its roots stretch back to a very different scene. 200 years ago, Islington was mostly fields and farms, famous for supplying London with fresh dairy products. The pastoral village gradually urbanized in the Georgian era, its green pastures giving way to elegant terraces and squares that still define its look today.

The 18th Century

By the 18th century, Islington had become a popular stop for travelers – the Angel Inn coaching house offered weary visitors a last rest stop before entering the city. (Fun fact: Thomas Paine, the revolutionary writer, stayed at the Angel in 1790 and began drafting his Rights of Man there!) The area also developed a lively social scene early on: Sadler’s Wells Theatre opened as a “musick house” in 1683 and was drawing rowdy crowds for its wacky water-fueled shows by the 18th century. Islington was already mixing culture with community back then – a trend that’s only grown stronger.

The 19th Century

By the Victorian 19th century, Islington was fully part of London’s urban hustle. The canals and new railways brought industry and an influx of people. Immigrants added flavor: an Italian quarter dubbed “Little Italy” took root here, where newcomers like Carlo Gatti introduced Londoners to novel treats like ice cream. The borough also became known for entertainment. Music halls on Islington’s streets were the rock venues of their day – the famed Collins’ Music Hall (now gone, but fondly remembered) once hosted stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Gracie Fields. The pub culture thrived too. Even today, pubs like the Old Red Lion (est. 1415!) exude history – legend says Paine himself was a regular there. Not all was merriment, however: Islington had its share of Victorian poverty and even a giant prison (Pentonville). In fact, one of the borough’s more sobering historical footnotes is that Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Islington for a couple of months in 1895. By 1900, the area had become a bit shabby – so much so that when the Monopoly board was created in the 1930s, “The Angel, Islington” was among the cheapest properties, reflecting the downmarket state of Islington before its later revival.

The 20th Century

The 20th century story of Islington is one of decline and remarkable comeback. World War II bombs hit it hard, and post-war, many Georgian houses were run-down. But new communities – Caribbean, Irish, South Asian and more – moved in, and with them came new cultural life. By the 1960s, while some saw Islington as scruffy, artists and writers saw its potential. This period gave Islington a rebellious, creative edge. For example, playwright Joe Orton lived (and tragically died) in Islington, writing cutting-edge comedy from a tiny flat. The borough’s pubs also made music history: the Hope & Anchor on Upper Street became a cradle of Britain’s punk rock and “pub rock” scenes in the 1970s – imagine legendary bands jammed into a small basement venue, igniting a musical revolution.

The '80s

Then came the gentrifiers. From the 1980s onward, Islington’s gorgeous old housing stock and close-to-City location drew young professionals in droves. They renovated homes, opened cafés and boutiques, and suddenly Islington was cool. The turnaround was so complete that by the 1990s, it was the go-to neighborhood for trendsetters and even politicians. (Both Tony Blair and Boris Johnson lived in Islington during their rise – Blair in a Georgian townhouse and Johnson near leafy Highbury Fields.)

Islington Today

Today’s Islington wears its history proudly while keeping a fresh, hip vibe. Stroll around and you’ll see plenty of Georgian charm – squares like Canonbury and Barnsbury with picture-perfect terraces – alongside edgy street art and modern developments. It’s a place where a Victorian church (the Union Chapel) doubles as a live music venue, where a once-rowdy dance hall (Sadler’s Wells) is now a world-class theater for ballet and opera, and where you might sip coffee in a cafe that was a notorious pub 150 years ago. The borough has been home to famous writers like George Orwell (who wrote 1984 while living on Canonbury Square) and is currently a haunt for celebrities from actors to musicians. Yet it’s also home to long-time locals of all backgrounds, reflecting a diverse community spirit. Islington’s journey from farmland to fashionable is a microcosm of London’s own evolution. Its history lives on in its buildings, its cultural institutions, and the stories proudly passed down – making Islington not just a great place for brunch and boutique shopping, but also a fascinating slice of London’s heritage. Friendly, artsy, and ever-changing, Islington continues to influence London’s cultural scene as it has done for centuries, all while never forgetting the people and events that shaped its unique identity.

(image credit: Mike Hall)

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References

Britain Magazine – Discover London: A history of Islington (Steve Pill, 2019)

Islington Council – History of Sanctuary: How Islington has been shaped by migration (2023)

Islington Now (Douglas Bolton), 'Islington celebrities mapped' (2015)

London Remembers – Historical plaque records

The Guardian archives

Wikimedia Commons – images and architectural references