Islington Green

Islington Green is a small triangle of open land in north London, where Upper Street meets Essex Road. It sits in the London Borough of Islington and roughly marks the northern boundary between the Angel district and Islington proper. For many visitors it is a convenient stop on a walk through this part of the city, with benches, trees and a statue at its centre.

Where is Islington Green and how do you get there?

The green lies just north of Angel, at the junction of two busy streets: Upper Street and Essex Road. Its coordinates are roughly 51.5358 N, 0.1028 W. Upper Street follows the line of an old road that led north out of London. The surrounding area is full of cafes, restaurants and shops, so the green makes an easy pause during a day of sightseeing.

What is the history of Islington Green?

The land was originally common ground. In 1777 the Lord of the Manor gave the green to the parish, and in 1781 railings were put up around it. It served as a meeting place, and after the Reform Act of 1832 it hosted hustings and polling booths. Islington Borough Council acquired the site in 1897.

The street now called Essex Road was once known as Lower Street. Upper Street and Lower Street grew into busy shopping streets as Islington developed into a residential suburb of London.

Whose statue stands on the green?

The best-known feature is the statue of Sir Hugh Myddelton, who built the New River. This man-made waterway was constructed between 1609 and 1613 to bring fresh water from springs about 20 miles away in Hertfordshire. Much of its course is now covered, and parts of it form a linear park through the area.

The sculptor was John Thomas. The statue was erected in 1862 and unveiled by William Gladstone, then Chancellor of the Exchequer.

What else is there to see?

• A plaque for Collins's Music Hall on the north side of the green marks a music hall that burned down in 1958. A Waterstones bookshop now stands on the site.
• A flagpole and war memorial were installed in 2006.
• The Angel area, named after an inn on the turnpike road. The Great North Road came into use in the 14th century and ran north along the line of today's Upper Street.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, it is a public open space.

How long does a visit take? A few minutes is enough to see the statue and plaques. It works best combined with a stroll along Upper Street.

Why is there a statue of Hugh Myddelton? Myddelton built the New River, which supplied London with water. The 1862 statue commemorates that achievement.

Is it a large park? No, it is a small triangle of greenery in a busy area. Its appeal lies in its location and history rather than its size.

When did the green become public property? Islington Borough Council acquired it in 1897. From 1777 it had belonged to the parish.

Why stop here?

Islington Green brings several layers of London history into one spot: common land, a Victorian statue, the memory of a vanished music hall and a modern war memorial. For anyone walking around Angel and Upper Street, it is a natural stop that helps explain how this part of the city developed.