London Photo Gallery - Islington

During the Middle Ages, the Islington area was held by religious institutions, then given to aristocratic families after the monasteries were dissolved in the 16th century. By the 18th century, Islington became a dairy production centre, supplying London with milk, cream, and butter. Agriculture was replaced by residential development in the 19th century. Today's Islington covers about 6 square miles and is home to about 243,000 people. Stepping out of Angel station, there are many small restaurants and shops along High Street, which is just set back from the main road. I then continued south along St. John Street into a more residential community. Islington Museum showcases the area's local history with most of the collection from the past 300 years. Research your visit beforehand and take note of its opening times. When I visited, they were nearly at their lunch break closing time. The Old Finsbury Town Hall opened at the intersection of 6 streets in 1895. The first floor once housed the Council Chamber and public halls, which moved to Islington Town Hall in 2003. Architect Evans Vaughan designed this building in the free Flemish Renaissance style with heavy Art Nouveau influences such as the wrought iron canopy above the entrance. It has been home to Urdang, a performing arts college, since 2007.