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Featuring Laki Kane Cocktail Bar (2022) and Canonbury Florist (archive)

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Frederick's, Islington High Street, London

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Frederick's, Islington High Street, London

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Frederick's, Islington High Street, London

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Featuring David Griffith Antiques and Frequency coffee, opposite antiques market.

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St James Clerkenwell, Sekforde Street, London

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St James Clerkenwell, Sekforde Street, London

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St James Clerkenwell, Sekforde Street, London

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The Coin Laundry by Paolo Rizzi (2022, left); Exmouth Market Junction of Tysoe St. courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right, c. 1963)

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Clerkenwell Close by Paolo Rizzi (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre  (1990s, right)

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By Paolo Rizzi (left, 2022), Newcastle Place courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right, 1943)

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The Lexington by Paolo Rizzi (left, 2022), courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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Exmouth Market by Paolo Rizzi (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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The Horseshoe, Clerkenwell Close, London

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The Horseshoe by Paolo Rizzi (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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By Paolo Rizzi (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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Upper Street by Alessia Trevisan (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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Highbury & Islington Station, Unnamed, London

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By Alessia Trevisan (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Archives (right)

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Egro's London by Alessia Trevisan (2022, left); Antiques market (right) courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre

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Pentonville Road by Adriano Avitabile (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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Safestore Self Storage London Kings Cross, Pentonville Road, London

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By Adriano Avitabile (2022, left); courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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The Lexington by Adriano Avitabile (left, 2022), courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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The Camden Head by Alessia Trevisan (left, 2022), courtesy of the Islington Local History Centre (right)

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Waterstones Islington (2022). Photo by German Ameri

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Colin's Music Hall/Waterstones, Islington Green, London

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Colin's Music Hall/Waterstones, Islington Green, London

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Islington’s vibrant music and theatre scene can be accredited to something quite peculiar - its water supply! Islington, home to many underground springs, eventually led to growth in agricultural pursuits and travellers attracted to the rural energy the 18th century Islington possessed.

This growth in demand created a burst of cultural activity ranging from firework displays to music halls. One prominent music hall still standing today exists in Islington Green - the Collin’s Music Hall. Adorned in gold, blue and terra cotta, the building was once considered one of the prettiest music halls in London. Collin’s Music Hall was first established in 1863 and has been reconstructed several times, even being destroyed in a 2008 fire. Now, the music hall exists as a repurposed Waterstone's bookstore, with current plans to renovate the lower floors as a basement theatre space, a homage to its history.

Visitors should feel free to come in and take in the historical significance whilst perusing a book. And remember that this building represents a cultural bloom originating from a very strange source - Islington’s own water supply.

Written by Chenoa Colaco

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Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London

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Sadler's Wells on camera (left, 2022) by Paolo Rizzi; (right, 1931) courtesy of Islington Local History Centre.

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Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London

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Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London

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Rosebery Avenue's arts theatre Sadler’s Wells currently holds a revered reputation for world-class dance and performance. But it once stood as a rowdy and run-down music house, until the arrival of the fabled theatrical producer and manager Lilian Baylis was able to recreate Sadler's Wells into the theatre we enjoy today.

The origins of Sadler's Wells are shrouded in mystique. Named quite literally after a well found on the property in the mid-17th century, it was said by owner Edward Sadler that the water in the area held "extraordinary medicinal virtue", including the ability to heal illnesses such as dropsy, jaundice and scurvy.

After several physicians recommended the water to patients, Sadler's Wells was soon filled with Islingtonians. Quick to jump on this business opportunity, Sadler newly established a 'musick house' in the area - complete with a pub, show-room and dancing. While at first seen as a reputed enterprise, Sadler's Wells later became a haunt for prostitutes and the dissolute, forming a reputation that multiple rebuildings (including its rebuilding as an aquatic theatre!) couldn't solve.

“Haste hither, then, and take your fill. Let Parsons say whate’er they will, The ale that every ale excells Is only found at Sadler’s Wells.”

An advertising jingle written for the theatre

Such a reputation could only be fixed by one person - Lilian Baylis.  Although starting off shaky, through a stricter focus on theatre and a classier presentation of its deep-rooted history, Lilian Baylis was able to transform perceptions of Sadler's Wells into modernity. Now recently redesigned, Sadler's Wells sits as a theatre for contemporary dance, with a studio dedicated to Lilian Baylis. Hosting a multitude of shows, Sadler's Wells has been able to explore the future while paying homage to its roots in its own elegant way.

Written by Chenoa Colaco