In the 16th Century the area now covered by Islington was mainly used for dairy farming and supplied the tables of London. It was a quiet rural setting, except when Henry VIIIth and his huntsmen came thundering through!

By the 18th Century, London was growing rapidly and the area was a favoured spot for hunting, wildfowling, dog fights, and other pastimes.

Its popularity encouraged much building, and by the 19th Century, Islington was the place to go for theatres, country walks, and other amusements.

The continued development into the 20th Century caused some level of crowding, and the many spaces created by wartime bombing were used to develop numerous housing estates.

This gives rise to the current mix where some of London's nicest Georgian streets sit right next to modern social housing schemes.

Islington's popularity with media types, arts, and multi-cultural eating places, side by side with its antiques trades, markets, and new business developments, make it as attractive and popular as it ever was.

The present London Borough of Islington was formed in 1965 by the merging of Finsbury and Islington.
More details on present day Islington can be found via the LBI web site.