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Islington is a suburban district in the Greater London area and extends from Highbury Fields to High Street, covering the section around Southgate Road, the bustling High Street, Essex Street (previously known as Lower Street), and Upper Street (central Islington’s major shopping street).
The area is a paradise for art lovers, with high-end concert venues, galleries, and theaters such as The Almeida Pleasance Theatre, Little Angle Theatre, and King’s Head Theatre Pub. Other boroughs that are close to Islington are Canonbury, Barnsbury, Hoxton, Pentonville, Dalston, De Beauvoir Town, and St. Luke’s, to name a few.
There are many bus routes that serve Islington, with a main bus interchange situated close to Angel tube station. Other stations nearby include Farringdon station, Essex Road railway station, and St. Pancras International. Residents’ parking and red route restrictions are applicable throughout the town.
In 1005, Islington N1 was known as Giseldone. The name is derived from the personal name Gīsla and dun that means hill. In the 17th century, the area was called Isledon.
Singer Lily Allen was born in Islington N1. Actress Helena Bonham Carter was also born here. Actress Emma Watson lived here. Andy Serkis, the actor who played Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is another famous former resident.
HM Prison Pentonville held notorious inmates such as singers George Michael and Boy George, actor John Alford, actor Keith Allen, TV personality Simon Dee, and musician Pete Doherty who wrote a song called Pentonville.
Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal, is the fourth largest stadium in the UK. Besides from football matches, the stadium hosted The X Factor, Celebrity Masterchef, Big Brother, Britain’s Got Talent, as well as performances from Bruce Springsteen, Cold Play, and Green Day.
