Welcome to Islington

Islington

Hamptons offers you a warm welcome to Islington

Congratulations, if you are house hunting in Islington you have already won. A home in this great area with all it offers, automatically makes you the envy of many. Now in order to make your transition as smooth and hassle free as possible Hamptons have put together this great guide which will help you choose the best schools, learn a little about planning and building control, read tips on where to shop, eat and lot’s more, all packed into one little guide with clickable links. Perhaps most importantly we have researched some of the leading local professionals and experts who can help you add value and personalise your soon to be new home. A big WELCOME and enjoy.

A little bit of history

The area has been populated since medieval times and was a source of water for the capital throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. The Regent’s Canal also allowed for trade in centuries past, but Islington’s major development and growth into the bustling residential area we know today began in the 19th century with the advent of the railway. Today the area is known as the home of Premier League football club Arsenal who play at Emirates Stadium.

Why move to Islington?

People from many diverse backgrounds are drawn here by the excellent schooling options, wide range of amenities and eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Local residents benefit from excellent commuter links with a wide selection of bus, road and rail connections. There are many underground stations in the area, but the main Zone 2 hub of Highbury & Islington is on the Victoria Line for a quick hop into central London and also offers frequent overground services to such diverse locations as Crystal Palace, Stratford and Richmond. Islington has its fair share of pleasant parks and gardens for families to enjoy, including the 30acre Highbury Fields with a leisure centre, tennis courts and playground.

Quiet and secluded, you are more likely to find people sitting around and discussing a book along the canal in Islington than going out clubbing here. This area is extremely popular with those just moving to London thanks to the thriving property market, traditional homes, and newly built apartment buildings. The most coveted properties here are the elegant Georgian houses that line many streets, but they’ll take a bit of luck (and a lot of money) to get one. There are very few chain stores or restaurants in the area. Instead, each and every shop is unique. You can find the latest fashion trends at the boutiques that dot Islington High Street and Upper Street. Or explore the Camden Passage market, which is popular with tourists and locals alike, to see a great combination of collectibles, antiques, vintage fashion, gifts, and homewares. The neighborhood has amazing dining options. Almeida is probably the most famous restaurant in the area and is consistently rated as one of the best in London. Locals boast that they have some of the tastiest Italian food around. You’ll also find Mediterranean, Mexican, French, Turkish, and other cuisines, along with basics like a burger joint and casual breakfast spots. There are a number of pubs and cocktail bars here – some of the trendier ones are perched on rooftops, offering a great place to watch the sunset while you down a cold beer. From a practical standpoint, Islington has several supermarkets and on weekends hosts the Islington Farmers’ Market, the first farmers’ market in London. There are about thirty stalls every Sunday that sell delicacies and organic foods. There’s a vibrant arts scene within Islington; theaters and galleries here showcase some of the best in all British dance, theater, and art. This single neighborhood has four well-known theters, including The Almeida Theatre, The King’s Head, The Tower Theatre, and Sadler’s Wells. Reading groups are popular in the area as well, both for children and adults. In fact, the neighborhood has some of the most active reading groups in all of London.

www.goodmigrations.com

FAMOUS RESIDENTS

Islington and the surrounding area has been a home to rockstars, celebrities, athletes, academics, artists and common or garden members of the upper-crust for generations. Here are a few notable names you may or may not know..

Colin Firth, Actor Leona Lewis, Singer

Lily Allen, Singer Nina Bawden, Author James Beck, Actor Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK Helena Bonham Carter, Actress Jay Bothroyd, Footballer Jim Broadbent, Actor Jonny Buckland, lead guitarist of the band Coldplay Alexandra Burke, Singer Kathy Burke, Actor and Director Jimmy Carr, Comedian Dido, Singer Peaches Geldof, Daughter of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates Tony Hadley, lead singer, Spandau Ballet, born in Islington in 1960 William Hogarth, Artist Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet