The Best Things to do in This Borough!

I guarantee you wouldn’t get bored in Islington. There’s just so many things to do here and places to see! Even a puppet show was able to hold my attention! Every corner and street in this vibrant part of London is filled with activities and iconic buildings that everyone should definitely try out.

From bars with theatres upstairs to relaxing boat rides throughout the river. You could always find something to spend your time here so here’s a list of the best things we were able to try out!

My Picks of the Best Things to do in Islington

Chapel Market

There are so many places worth a visit when you’re in Islington so let’s start off with the one that’s fairly close to the Islington station. The Chapel Market is not actually a real chapel but it’s a bustling neighbourhood market filled with fresh fruit and veg, boutiques, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find a few musicians on the streets of Islington hyping the market up!

When I still lived in the area I in this place practically every week. Not for buying ingredients for cooking though since my wife wouldn’t trust me with a pot, but because of the many independent cafes and restaurants that surround it and the many boutiques with clever things to sell.

📍Chapel Market, 76 Chapel Market, London N1 9ER, United Kingdom

The Hen & Chickens

London is known for its pub culture and for its theatre, so how often could you stumble across a place that has both? The Hen and Chickens is one of Islington’s many theatres but the kicker is that it also has it’s own bar for groups to enjoy their speciality draught beer.

There’s no hot food aside from snacks available though so don’t expect a filling meal to go along with the performance. It’s a great place to have some exposure about London’s theatre culture and see the many independent shows and the small-scale theatre productions being made and performed.

📍109 St Paul’s Rd, London N1 2NA, United Kingdom

The Almeida

The Almeida is a London theatre that is mainly known to showcase the deep and philosophically thought-provoking shows that I pretend to fully understand to impress a date. The Almeida Theatre offers a number of avenues for individuals to get involved in their work, such as the Youth Advisory Board, Young Designers & Technicians, and Young Artists programs.

Additionally, they provide chances for Islington locals to participate in community productions – it’s a lovely Highbury and Islington theatre because you get the opportunity to actually volunteer for one of their shows and learn about the industry! We even had a mate who got lucky and performed as an extra, and let me tell you he was the most captivating tree on stage!

📍Almeida St, London N1 1TA, United Kingdom

Culpepper Community Garden

In Islington, London, there is a lovely and serene public garden called the Culpeper Community Garden. It is run by and for the local community and serves as both a city park and an environmental community project. The garden includes community garden plots, a leafy arbor walk, and a serenely landscaped area with a pond.

The garden, which consists of 56 tiny plots for neighborhood residents and organizations without gardens, is a recognized area where people can take in the scenery and engage in community gardening. The garden is a peaceful haven in the middle of the city, hidden by tall walls and encircled by trees. It is a much-loved, lush public area that provides a peaceful setting for guests to unwind and take in the scenery.

📍1 Cloudesley Rd, London N1 0EJ, United Kingdom

Estorick Collection

While exploring Islington, we never expected that we’d get a chance to view some authentic and modern Italian art galleries. It’s internationally as a house for Futurist works so expect to see some figurative works, sculptures and Italian art from the first half of the 20th century.

We’ve scoured London’s museums and admittedly this was the last one we found and after months and months of looking at art that have been preserved for hundreds of years, this hidden gem houses art that will be preserved for hundreds of years. Oh, and plus, if you’re lucky you get to meet a few artists!

📍39A Canonbury Square, London N1 2AN, United Kingdom

Screen on the Green

One of London’s oldest continuously running cinemas in the UK. The movie theater is well-known for its recognizable exterior, vintage movie screen, and opulent bar that offers shared plates and pizza. While we were taking a stroll through Islington green park, we noticed a gigantic retro movie sign that said “Star Wars” and for a second I thought I somehow time-traveled back to when I was a kid.

That sense of wonder faded instantly when I felt my knees popping and I remembered I’m an old and cranky adult. Disappointments aside, it’s a such a great place to get a glimpse of the movie industry from so long ago, and aside from showing classic and contemporary films, they also hold Q and A’s with a few famous directors and actors, and even a few events!

📍83 Upper St, London N1 0NP, United Kingdom

Union Chapel

I must say that the concert I recently saw at the Union Chapel in Islington was truly amazing. The Grade I-listed historical site, which was constructed in the late 19th century in the Gothic Revival style, provides a distinctive and cozy environment for live music events. The church’s acoustics are superb, creating a great environment for taking in performances.

As a regular concert goer, I was intrigued by their bar, I mean who doesn’t love music and a few pints, but no drinks are allowed at the viewing area which was understandable because it was still a working church after all. The absence of beer aside, I loved the concert we experienced, the acoustics were downright amazing and we had no trouble seeing and hearing the band.

📍19b Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN, United Kingdom

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

This theatre has been up and running in Islington since the 1600’s. Imagine how many performances were practiced and perfected here from that time until now. One of the best things you could see in London are the numerous amounts of historical buildings and stunning architecture and this is one of the top things I’ve seen so far!

The venue looks amazing inside and out. Every performance also have amazing production value that is fully enhanced by their responsive and gorgeous auditorium on the inside. Oh, and best part is there’s an abundance of great cafés and restaurants in the area for some post or pre-theatre meals!

📍Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN, United Kingdom

Highbury Fields

Highbury Fields is so picturesque and so serene that you’d never think that just a couple of steps away are the busy streets in the borough of Islington. Stepping into the park feels like you’re stepping into a different place entirely, like you’re not in North London anymore, because just parallel to the park is the bustling Upper Street, filled with merchants, tourists, and more.

It’s also one of the best places to visit if you have kids because there is an abundance of playgrounds, tennis courts, and other dedicated areas for sports. A lot of people might disagree with me on this, but I actually support the decision to ban barbeques in this area to improve air quality. Now, it’s the ideal place to go to take a breath of fresh air, play sports, enjoy a picnic, or admire the gorgeous Georgian townhouses in the background.

📍Highbury Cres, London N5 1AR, United Kingdom

69 Colebrooke Row

69 Colebrooke Row or commonly known by their cooler nickname “The Bar with No Name” in Islington is one of London’s most famous cocktail bars. Their well-known for their highly creative and innovative cocktail drinks made with unique ingredients. I mean they have their own “laboratory” how cool is that?

Unique and quirky cocktails aren’t the only things that boosted this bar’s reputation, they are mostly known for hosting jazz, blues, and even rock and roll at times, let me tell you the drinks practically disappear when you’re listening to good music. Any guide to the best things to do near Islington or any spot in London really, should always include a bar, and this drinking den has more than earned its right to be on this list.

📍69 Colebrooke Row, London N1 8AA, United Kingdom

Victoria Miro Gallery

It doesn’t have much curb appeal at first, which almost made me walk right by, but once you step inside, that all changes! The gallery is reasonably roomy considering its size. Walking the stairs, though, gave me a workout because they are somewhat steep and gave me a cramped feeling.

But fear not—there’s an elevator. The backyard open-air pond has the appearance of a beautiful tropical jungle. Modern and contemporary art typically predominates over classical art here and of course they also offer tours to anyone who’s willing.

📍16 Wharf Rd, London N1 7RW, United Kingdom

Little Angel Theatre

One of the many Islington things that I absolutely did not expect that I would enjoy as much as I did. My niece bugged me for months about taking her to this joint as apparently a classmate of hers gloated that their uncle took them to a puppet show. With my best uncle in the world title on the line, we booked tickets to the Saturday Puppet Club.

The production is super high-quality and the voices they use for their puppets are actually quite immersive. The whole seating is cosy and intimate so as I looked around the many carers and parents watching the show, I saw that I wasn’t the only completely interested in the stories the puppets were telling!

📍14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN, United Kingdom

Emirates Stadium

With 60,704 seats available, the stadium is currently the fifth-largest football stadium in England in terms of capacity. Football fans, tourists, and of course, Arsenal fans frequent the stadium because of its cutting-edge amenities and contemporary architecture.

Plus, you could also get a stadium tour where you could  catch a glimpse of the history of the stadium and even of the many football clubs in London. Lastly, football fans wouldn’t last a day without a nearby bar or some good food, so it’s quite smart to have the stadium itself offer these facilities themselves!

📍Hornsey Rd, London N7 7AJ, United Kingdom

The Old Queen’s Head

This is a local pub that has a relaxing bar area on the ground floor with worn sofas and a stone fireplace but, upstairs is where the real party starts. Above the bar there is a lively dance floor where you could dance to hip-hop or RnB all night long!

And, if you get hungry dancing along to well-renowned DJs, then order from their delicious menu! They are well-known across this London neighbourhood for having some amazing burgers and Sunday roasts, so do try those out!

📍44 Essex Rd, London N1 8LN, United Kingdom

King’s Head

Just like it’s Queen, the King’s Head doubles as a bar and an entertainment venue right near Islington square! However, instead of dance floors and loud music, you are treated to amazing performances from their upstairs theatre!

After asking around, it’s nice that this bar and theatre have actually been present for years and years now, and still haven’t dropped an inch in quality. Seriously, who would expect you’d walk into a pub and be actually offered to see the opera all within 2 minutes?

📍115 Upper St, London N1 1QN, United Kingdom

London Canal Museum

By exploring the history of the city’s canals, including their construction, the lives of the laborers who worked on them, the cargo they carried, and the horses that pulled them along the canal, the museum provides an immersive experience. The museum also functions as an industrial museum, telling the fascinating tale of London’s ice industry.

The museum also runs guided trips through the Islington Tunnel and sponsors two boats at the National Waterways Museum. Best of all is the museum is completely free to visit! So if you’re looking for the best things to do that won’t break the bank, then head on over and learn how the waterways were so much more important than we think it were.

📍12/13 New Wharf Rd, London N1 9RT, United Kingdom

Camden Passage

We typically take walks around Wednesdays and Saturdays, and this is a spot that could easily catch your attention for a minute but won’t let you leave for hours! They have a lot of antique and quirky shops along the street and these vintage shops rarely sell the same thing.

Well, if you’re not planning on collecting items, or redecorating you’re entire flat with antique furniture, there’s also a lot of good restaurants and great cafes in around every corner! So, while you’re checking out unique items, rest assured there’s a spot nearby so you could unwind before you continue shopping!

📍1 Camden Psge, London N1 8EA, United Kingdom

Little Venice

With plenty of places to stop for lunch or a drink, Little Venice is a charming and serene neighborhood that offers a hidden gem of a walk along the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals. I found that taking a boat tour across the river is a surefire way to impress a date and set a light atmosphere.

Oh, and if you’re sightseeing this is a super convenient and quick pitstop before moving on to the other attractions in this North London borough because it’s just a short walk from the Angel tube so it’s best to do this one first before you head out again!

📍Maida Ave, London W2 1ST, UK

Islington Square

Islingotn square is just like any other square you can find throughout Central London or East London but what’s particularly special about this one is the sense of community you could feel whenever you visit.

Islington is by no-means a small town in London however they hold monthly events like their First Thursdays where locals can have the opportunity to bond with each other through ping pong matches and live music.

📍116 Upper St, London N1 1AB, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

There are so many hidden gems tucked away in this area so check out our other guides for more information on the best restaurants, cafes, and even bars and pubs!

Oh, and if you’re looking for the absolute best thing to do then come over to our comedy club! We’ve got amazing food and lots and lots of drinks. What more could you ask for than top-quality comedy shows, filling and tasty food, and a lot of laughter?