Discover Islington

There are several different ways to focus your stay in Islington: nature and exercise at Parkland Walk, museum visits, or market and street life. If you’re looking for a hotel in Islington, it helps to decide first which of these interests will shape your trip. The places below differ both in what they offer and in the practical details of planning a visit.

Nature and exercise at Parkland Walk

Parkland Walk is London’s longest nature reserve and is open to walkers and cyclists. This makes it a useful point of reference if you’d like to get around on foot or by bike during your stay. The Islington section also contains the borough’s only area of acidic grassland, which provides a habitat for several rare plants and insects. The grassland’s special significance applies to the Islington section, while the description as London’s longest nature reserve refers to Parkland Walk as a whole. This gives you two distinct interests to consider: exercise along Parkland Walk and the importance of the Islington section as a habitat.

Museum visits in Islington

Admission to Islington Museum is free, and no booking or appointment is required. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet. When planning a visit, admission, whether you need an appointment, and accessibility are three separate considerations. Check the latest visitor information before your visit if you’re relying on these arrangements.

London Canal Museum and a tunnel boat trip

London Canal Museum appeals to a different interest. Beneath the museum are two ice wells, which are open to the public to a limited extent. One of the ice wells can be viewed from above through an opening; it is lit. A seasonal tunnel boat trip runs from London Canal Museum through the Islington Tunnel and back. The ice wells and the boat trip offer two different perspectives: limited public access to the ice wells and a journey through the tunnel. Since the boat trip is seasonal, check the dates before planning your visit.

Camden Passage and its market

Camden Passage is a picturesque London street with antique shops, boutiques, market stalls, restaurants and bars. The Camden Passage Market sells vintage clothing, jewellery, collectibles and bric-a-brac on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you’re coming specifically for these items, check the trading days before your visit, as market arrangements may change. The days of the week apply to the market; the street also offers other interests through its shops, restaurants and bars. This makes it possible to distinguish a targeted market visit from a general stroll through the passage.

The differences matter when planning your day: the tunnel boat trip is seasonal, the market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and no booking or appointment is required to visit Islington Museum. This can help you decide whether you’d like your stay to focus mainly on nature, museums or the market.

Discover more destinations: Finsbury, Highbury

Return to the main travel overview: Islington.