Islington Tours and Tickets

Yes, it is possible to visit Islington on a guided tour. The organization Islington Guided Walks offers multiple themed itineraries on topics ranging from groundbreaking Islington women throughout history to a trip up the Caledonian Clock Tower. Tours are offered year-round, so check the calendar ahead of your visit.

Yes, it is easy to navigate Islington independently. Islington and Angel don’t have blockbuster attractions like Big Ben or the London Eye, and are better explored rather than ticked off a list. Here, it’s more about fringe theater shows, hip cafés and restaurants, quirky boutiques, and vintage and antique markets.

Islington is London’s second-smallest borough, once described by Charles Dicken as among the “noisiest” and “most disagreeable” in London, but the neighborhood has come a long way since then. Today, it’s known for its posh shopping, food markets, and arts scene. It also boasts top-notch restaurants such as Ottolenghi, owned by food writer Yotam Ottolenghi.

Come for Sunday brunch, then stay for a traditional Sunday pub roast at a place like farm-to-table The Pig and Butcher—there are so many food joints, you could probably eat year-round without repeating a restaurant. Squeeze in a walk along scenic Regent’s Canal and admire its community of houseboats.

Yes, Islington is great for families with children. Parents can choose from a range of kid-friendly activities, from children’s workshops at Islington Museum to a weekday morning parent-and-baby cinema screening at Everyman Cinema Baby Club. Little Angel Theatre, a staple since 1961, puts on puppet shows and special workshops.

The best weather window for visiting London is generally May through September, when the days are sunny and warm and the city’s flowers are in full bloom. Come in July for the Islington Festival of Music and Art, which celebrates creativity in every form, from contemporary dance to violin concertos.