Sandwiched between the hubs of King’s Cross and Angel, the area is in a unique and sought-after area, with its fast transport connections throughout London and Europe more broadly, just a short walk away. To the north of the area lies Regent’s Canal, providing a quiet oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the busy main roads of York Way, Caledonian Road, and Pentonville Road, all of which pass through or border the neighbourhood, and which have all the conveniences and amenities one could wish for. Despite the number of large main roads in the area, it remains mostly residential, with plenty of quiet, leafy Regency streets that are synonymous with Islington, as well as a number of post-war estates providing cheaper housing options. The boutiques, cafés and bars spill in from fashionable Angel but possess a quaint, village feel when positioned alongside the area’s abundant green squares and canal views.

Much of this area including and north of Pentonville Road, would have developed alongside the completion of New Road in 1756, which linked the City to the Western Suburbs, while avoiding the busy roads of central London. The area to the north began a steady industrialisation with the completion of the Regent’s Canal in 1820 and the road was turnpiked in 1830, bringing in toll money, which prompted the change of name to Pentonville Road after the landowner Henry Penton. Though originally designed as a pleasant suburb, with wide, open main roads distinguished by their setback houses and wide pavements, when the railways were introduced in the 1840s, the area became industrial and urban with factories and workshops springing up all through the neighbourhood. Following the Second World War the area declined, losing its industrial purpose until the 80s when cheap rent ushered in a new generation of artists and creatives to the area, and began its regeneration.

One evening during the First World War, a German spy chief was followed by Scotland Yard to a hairdressing salon near Pentonville Prison to the north of the area. The salon turned out to be a front for the HQ of a large German spy network run by Karl Gustave Ernst, who lived at 156 Caledonian Road!

What must be one of the only parks in the world to be named after a pantomime clown is located in the neighbourhood! Joseph Grimaldi Park is named, of course, after Joseph Grimaldi, an actor, comedian, and dancer who became one of the most popular entertainers of the Regency period, developing the roles of the clown and the harlequin which went on to form a significant part of British pantomime. He is buried in the park alongside Henry Penton, who is responsible for the initial development of Pentonville Road.

The whole district of Angel is actually named after an old pub in the area. Known as The Angel Inn by 1614, the pub was seen as a handy stopping off point on the way in and out of London and a place to rest before venturing into the dangerous countryside eastwards. The pub was even the subject of William Hogarth’s 1747 drawing The Stagecoach. Although the site has now been converted to offices, there was a pub on that spot up until 1921, with the current building finished in 1902.

While the area is incredibly popular for its exceptional transport links, the hustle and bustle of Angel and King’s Cross can be quite overwhelming, particularly for people who are new to London.

The neighbourhood has long been a hive of building activity, given its location between Angel and King’s Cross. The most significant upcoming development in the area is Regent’s Wharf between 10 and 18 All Saints Road. The four canal-side buildings comprise a total of over 10,000 m2 of office space as well as substantial terrace gardens overlooking the water. Angel will also be greatly affected by the introduction of Crossrail 2 which is planned to pass through the station. Despite £1.8 billion being invested in the project in 2020 it is unclear when the project will materialise as plans have been underconsideration in different forms since the 1970s.