Islington is an inner-city area of north London, mainly residential, stretching from its High Street to Highbury Fields and the Regent's Canal. Upper Street and Essex Road form its busy commercial spine, the Regent's Canal cuts through the middle, and the New River's covered course runs east of Upper Street as a linear park.
For a visitor, the practical question is where to base yourself along that spine. The Angel end sits closest to central London, Upper Street and Essex Road put you among the shops and theatres, and the northern and eastern edges are quieter and more residential.
1. Upper Street and the Angel
This is the historic heart of the area, where the Great North Road once ran and a toll gate at The Angel defined the edge of the village. Upper Street is the main commercial street, with the Business Design Centre on the former Royal Agricultural Hall site on Liverpool Road, and Essex Road branching off at the statue of Sir Hugh Myddelton. It suits first-time visitors who want to be on the main street with the easiest connections onward.
You find mid-range and larger hotels here rather than budget options. The practical advantage is transport: Angel station on the Northern line puts the rest of London within easy reach, and the Regent's Canal tunnel entrance at Colebrook Row is a short walk east.
2. Highbury and Highbury Fields
Highbury is the residential district at the northern end of Islington, with Highbury Fields as its open space. It is calmer than Upper Street and suits travellers who prefer a quieter base while staying within the borough. The area around Highbury & Islington station is the practical anchor, with tube and Overground services.
Accommodation here leans towards apartments and smaller places rather than large hotels. The trade-off is that the shops, theatres and restaurants of Upper Street are a walk or a short ride south rather than on your doorstep.
3. Finsbury Park and Seven Sisters Road
The northern edge of the area, around Finsbury Park station, is where you find the budget end of the market, including studio apartments with kitchens and basic hotels. It suits budget travellers and those who want quick connections, with both Victoria and Piccadilly line services at Finsbury Park.
Expect a functional base rather than a picturesque one.
4. Essex Road and Islington Green
Essex Road runs east of Upper Street, and Islington Green was the historic centre of the area's music halls and theatres. The Almeida Theatre, founded after a campaign to redevelop the old Literary and Scientific Institution building, is on a side street here. This suits visitors whose priority is theatre and evening entertainment.
It is a short walk from Upper Street and the Angel, so you get the same connections with slightly less through-traffic.
5. Regent's Canal and City Road Basin
The canal stretch east of the tunnel, around City Road Basin and Wenlock Basin, was once warehousing and industry; the surviving buildings are now largely residential or small creative work units. It suits visitors who want a waterside base and don't mind being slightly off the main streets.
Note the practical detail from the source: the canal runs through an 886-metre tunnel from Colebrook Row to Muriel Street with no towpath inside, and the route above is marked with pavement plaques so walkers can find their way between entrances. This is a quieter, more scattered area for accommodation.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: studio apartments with kitchens, often with a maximum occupancy of two, and basic hotels. These cluster towards the northern edge around Finsbury Park and Seven Sisters Road, and can be noisy.
- Mid-range: larger hotels on or just off Upper Street, convenient for the Business Design Centre and Angel station.
Best area for a first visit
Upper Street and the Angel is the best base for a first visit. It puts you on the main street, within walking distance of Essex Road, Islington Green and the canal, and on the Northern line for everything else in London. It also has the widest choice of documented accommodation.
Which area is best connected to the rest of London?
The Angel end of Upper Street, on the Northern line, and Finsbury Park in the north, with Victoria and Piccadilly line services. Highbury & Islington also has tube and Overground connections.
Where should I stay if I want to be near the canal?
Look at the stretch east of the Angel around City Road Basin and Wenlock Basin, or the Colebrook Row entrance to the tunnel. The tunnel itself has no towpath, so plan to walk the marked route above ground between entrances.
Is Islington a good base for theatre?
Yes. The Almeida Theatre is on a side street off Upper Street, and the area around Islington Green has a long theatrical history, with a theatre entrance at the bottom of Essex Road.
What should I expect from budget accommodation here?
Studio apartments with kitchens, usually for a maximum of two people, and basic hotels, mostly towards Finsbury Park and Seven Sisters Road. Some are described as cheap, clean and noisy, and match-day crowds are a factor near the stadium.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide.