The London districts of Islington and Clerkenwell are charming to
explore. Within their streets are the greatest variety of architectural
styles ranging from Tudor, Georgian and Victorian to modernist and
contemporary twenty-first century design.In 'Islington & Clerkenwell in
50 Buildings', author Lucy McMurdo presents a well-illustrated and
engaging perspective of the rich architectural heritage of both areas.
Islington has a wonderful vibrancy. Its main thoroughfare Upper Street,
overflows with bars, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs giving rise to
its nickname, 'Supper Street'. Hostelries have lined this street for
centuries. It was here, on the main route into the capital, that
herdsmen bringing cattle and sheep to Smithfield, broke their journey
from the North. Until the growth of industry in the 1800s, Islington was
renowned for its river, springs and meadows, and a recreational
destination for hunters and archers. Industrialisation resulted in an
increasing population transforming Islington's character, replacing
fields with terraced houses, Georgian squares, gin distilleries,
warehouses, depots and factories.Neighbouring Clerkenwell has always
been more densely populated. Until the 1530s it was famous for its
monastery, priory and nunnery and, in the late 1600s, it was a haven for
French Huguenot immigrants, and later refugees and workers from Ireland,
Prussia and Italy. For hundreds of years the River Fleet acted as
Clerkenwell's main artery and, together with the district's many
springs, were a prime reason for the area's development. The French
Huguenots who settled here brought skills in watchmaking, precision
engineering, printing, bookbinding and weaving - many of which are still
found in the area today.
