Living in Angel
Angel is one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in London to call home. It is located a short tube or bus ride away from Central London, yet retains its own distinctive creative and cultural identity. Angel attracts a wide variety of people - ranging from those with artistic backgrounds in the creative industries to those working in financial services. The area offers its residents an impressive selection of bars and restaurants on Upper Street and an abundance of high-specification, tasteful properties. Angel is conveniently located on the Northern Line allowing easy access to major train stations and underground lines such as nearby Kings Cross and Euston (which are located within walking distance).
Angel falls in the borough of Islington, an area which historians can date back to the Saxon period of the 8th Century. However, Angel only received its name in the 17th Century when it was named after a pub called the Angel Inn that used to stand on the corner of Islington High Street and Pentonville Road. Today, the site of the original Angel Inn is now (predictably) home to a Wetherspoons called The Angel that stands on part of the land where the original pub once stood.
Transport
Tube:
Angel Tube Station Zone 1 - Northern Line: Bank Branch
Angel to Kings Cross: 2-minute tube / 17-minute walk
Angel to Bank: 6-minute tube / 30-minute walk
Angel to London Bridge: 7-minute tube / 45-minute walk
Trains:
Angel does not have its own train station however, a short tube ride from the underground station can get you to King Cross St Pancras, Euston, Moorgate and London Bridge, all of which have National Rail Services. Kings Cross St Pancras and Euston are also within 15 - 20 minutes walking distance from Angel - though this is only advisable if you're travelling light!
Bus:
Bus Number 19: Battersea Bridge
Bus Number 30: Marble Arch
Bus Number 38: Victoria
Bus Number 73: Oxford Circus
Bus Number 341: Waterloo
Bus Number 476: Kings Cross
There are also five night buses available (N19, N38, N41, N73 and N277)
Average Rental Price
1 bed: £2,170 pcm
2 bed: £3,188 pcm
3 bed: £3,620 pcm
4 bed: £3,946 pcm
Council Tax
Council Tax to be paid to Islington Council
https://www.islington.gov.uk/council-tax
Schools
Most schools in Angel are primary schools with the best Ofsted-rated institutions being Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School and Richard Cloudesley. The closest secondary school is City of London Academy Islington.
Life in Angel
Angel is conveniently located in Zone 1 and only a stone’s throw away from the City Centre, so finding something to do will never be difficult. It is easy to visit neighbouring areas such as Shoreditch and Kings Cross on foot or by a quick tube ride. Despite its central location, Angel is not overrun with tourists and houses plenty of restaurants, bars and attractions to keep you entertained. Below are our recommendations of where to eat, drink and visit for some fun.
Food & Drink:
- Upper Street
Some of the best places to eat in Islington can been found on Upper Street. Walk down the long stretch of restaurants and bars and you will be spoilt for choice. In fact, there are so many options you may find it difficult to commit to just one. Try out the infamous Breakfast Club (get there early, the queue is sometimes out the door!) and enjoy some Salted Caramel Banoffee Pancakes. Or how about some Spanish food at Jamon Jamon where you can dine on traditional tapas whilst sipping on Sangria. There’s no better way to unwind than feeling as though you’re sitting in the Mediterranean sun.
- The Bar with No Name
Located just a short walk away from Angel Station, The Bar with No Name is one of London's very best watering holes. Yes, that’s the actual name of the bar! It projects an air of secrecy and intimacy as it is only identifiable by an outdoor lantern. Alongside a cosy interior, the bar offers customers an array of seasonal cocktails with unique names such as Death in Venice - a concoction of Campari, Grapefruit Bitter, and Prosecco garnished with an Orange Twist. We recommend you book a table as it can often get busy at peak times.
- Belle Epoque Patisserie
For those with a sweet tooth, this one is for you. The Belle Epoque is home to luxury pastries, chocolates, breads, quiches and tarts which are all baked freshly in store. The desserts are so exquisitely made, they look almost too good to eat. However, don’t let that stop you. Try out the classic Belle Epoque cake which the owner first made for his wife 17 years ago; an orange infused crème brûlée covered in a dark chocolate mousse. That sounds like the perfect mid-week treat.
Culture and Leisure:
- Chapel Market
Chapel Market is located a couple of minutes’ walk from Angel underground station and is a modest, unpretentious market that has been trading fruit, vegetables, household goods, and clothing for over 100 years. A few trendy food stalls have managed to find their way into the market but these are largely outnumbered by long-standing, traditional traders, creating a warm sense of community. Chapel Market is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am-6 pm and on Sunday from 8:30 am to 4 pm. If you attend on a Sunday, you will be additionally spoiled for choice as produce from the Islington’s Farmers Market is also available.
- Screen on the Green
Single-screen cinemas are most definitely on trend in London right now, with screens popping up in areas such as Hackney, Dalston and Notting Hill. However, this is old hat in Angel. Screen on the Green opened in 1913, making it one of the oldest cinemas in the country and also one of the best single-screen cinemas in London. Not only do they show the latest releases, you can watch them whilst relaxing on a double-seated couch with cushions and blankets. You can indulge even further and order hot food, snacks and drinks at the bar and have a waiter bring them over to your seats. This experience comes highly recommended by those of us in the Home Made office!
- Culpepper Community Garden
Described as ‘a hidden oasis’, Culpeper Community Garden is situated off the main road and is the perfect place to unwind and escape from the busy city life. Idyllic, open, green space is often difficult to find so close to Central London, but Culpeper lives up to its reputation. The garden permits visitors to amble around the cobbled pathways, have a picnic by the pond, or relax under the impressive willow tree. If you keep an eye on their website, you will often find upcoming, fun events at Culpeper such as the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Is it for you?
Living so close to Central London is ideal for working professionals who want a short commute to work and a lively cultural milieu right on the doorstep. If you are someone who loves dining out or having a few evening cocktails after work, then Angel will not disappoint. It is a place with exciting nightlife and excellent transport links, so an ideal hub for students and graduates.
