Composed of Clerkenwell Road, Perceval Street, Goswell Road, and their multiple linkages, this neighbourhood area is largely residential, save for the occasional shop or pub. The northern part of this area is occupied by the City University of London, a beautiful red-brick Victorian building originally built to provide education and welfare to the local population. The southern part of this neighbourhood is packed with a number of thriving businesses, from media and data companies to graphic designers and architects. Residents can also enjoy an uncannily green experience in Northampton Square Garden, King Square Gardens and the Spa Fields Park are all located nearby.

The City University of London was founded in 1894, as the Northampton Polytechnic Institute. Originally intended as a place to research technology, with six departments: Applied physics, engineering, artistic crafts, domestic and women’s trades, horology (the science of time), and mechanical engineering. Through the 19th century, the university continued to participate in the research of technology, most notable was its involvement in aeronautics, which began in 1909 and continues to this day. At the end of the century the university merged with the St. Bartholomew School of Nursing and Midwifery, as well as the Charterhouse College of Radiography. It has since formed a broader alliance with the Queen Mary University of London and the University of East Anglia. Today the university has over 18,000 students attending every year, and is ranked as one of the top universities for sustainability in London.

Sir Muhammad Iqbal attended university in this neighbourhood area, a famous poet, philosopher, and politician in British India who was widely regarded as inspiring the movement for a independent Pakistan. Writing in both Urdu and Persian, Sir Muhammad Iqbal is considered one of the most important figures in Urdu literature. Zoe Heller’s book ‘Notes on a Scandal’ is also set in this neighbourhood area? As is Nick Hornby’s novel and film ‘About A Boy’.

The late Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Herbert Henry Asquith, attended university in this neighbourhood. Asquith took the United Kingdom into the First World War, but resigned in December 1916 over internal party conflicts, to be replaced by the infamous David Lloyd George. Additionally, Perceval Street in this neighbourhood was named after Spencer Perceval. He was the only British Prime Minister to ever be assassinated, which occurred in 1812.

Despite having a number of pubs and eateries, this neighbourhood area is lacking in shops and grocers, making it slightly inconvenient for those who live or stay in the area. Local residents did not perceive this as a significant problem, however, as one long-term resident stated: “There are a couple just off St John street nearby that are still within a reasonable walking distance”. For those happy to eat out, Exmouth Market is just a short walk away, where residents and explorers can find some of the city’s best food.

There are plans to redevelop and refurbish the buildings of the City University London in the northern part of this neighbourhood, creating new education spaces and facilities that are accessible to the local community. There are also plans to create a diverse range of new employment spaces, small-scale retail units and new, affordable homes in the neighbourhood. As the oldest part of the borough of Islington, the local council aims to conserve and enhance the historic character of this neighbourhood area, as it is one of the most unique and varied in London. Nearby developments such as the one at 145 City Road demonstrate the interest investors have in this locale. Named the Atlas development, this scheme will stand at 40 stories tall and will provide over 300 new homes.