An Urban Wander around Islington, London N1 (part 3)

So finally, here's the third and final installment of my recent urban wander around Islington, London N1. Follow the links to read part one or part two if you missed them. Before I start, and before someone points it out and embarrasses me, the pictures towards the end of this final post are not technically in Islington and you'll see a bit of Finsbury and Clerkenwell appearing, but I decided against changing the post title as it would have become a bit of a mouthful. Also it's a bit longer than the previous two installments, but I was determined not to stretch the wander to a fourth.

Narrow passageway, Islington, London N1

Beyond the main street that runs through Islington, it really does have a bit of everything. I was particularly impressed by this work of urban topiary on Cross Street. 

Urban Topiary, Islington, London N1

Narrow passageway, Islington, London N1

I'm always a sucker for an old car, and Citroens in particular. I am however not any sort of car officiando, so apart from telling you it's an old Citroen I can offer no further information.

Old Citroen, Islington, London N1

There is so much street art in London, and a lot of it not photo worthy, but I did like this one. A Warhol-esque which I assume is Madonna, but I could easily be wrong, complete with its own, overlaid installation of what looks to be some sort of fencing.

Street Art, Islington, London N1

I had to stand in the middle of the road to get this picture, but I think it was worth it. Fortunately most of the ghost sign is legible, but alas the left hand side has disappeared completely.

??? ZALIA

??? NIGHT CURE FOR

CATARRH

COLDS IN THE HEAD

??? INFLUENZA

???

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

This is quite possibly my favourite ghost sign, spotted on a café in Islington.

Old sign, Islington, London N1

I'm not sure if these are actually bird boxes, and if they are whether they are functional or simply artistic. Either way they caught my eye and I like them.

Bird boxes, Islington, London N1

I had no idea what LATE BLAND was, but a bit of internet research suggests that this was previously a butcher's shop, owned by John Bland.

Old sign, Islington, London N1

This next selection of pictures are all from the same building, Lloyd's Diary on the corner of River Street and Amwell Street. Not only is there some fantastic signage above the windows and doorway, but there was also a doorway mosaic.

DAIRY FARMERS

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

LLOYD & SON

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

HIGH CLASS DAIRY PRODUCE

Ghost sign, Islington, London N1

LLOYD'S

DAIRY

Doorway mosaic, Islington, London N1

My wander had by now definitely drifted into Finsbury, as can be seen by the Sign above this café in Pine Street.

Café Postou, Finsbury, London EC1

These next three old signs in Clerkenwell Close are interesting. They are on the former, central storehouse of the Works Department of the London School Board.

STATIONERY DEPT

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

NEEDLEWORK DEPT

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

FURNITURE DEPT

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

And finally for this wander, is an old sign for the

YANNEDIS & CO

BRASS

FOUNDRY

LOCKS

but I struggled to find any information about this ... and it's lunchtime.

Ghost sign, Clerkenwell, London

    

An Urban Wander around Islington, London N1 (part 2)

Hot(ish) on the heels of my Psychogeography inspired first installment of an Urban Wander around Islington, is part two. First up, we have a couple of pictures of the former entrance and exit to Highbury Station. The station itself is still used, but this entrance is no longer in use itself, although has been refurbished over the past few years from the crumbling mess it once was. Also, as I was posting this, I noticed the interesting looking dome to the left-hand side of the station. Not sure what that is though.

Disused entrance to Highbury Station

Disused entrance to and exit from Highbury Station

I assume at one time these houses towards the end of Calabria Road were all shops of some.

Calabria Road, Islington, London N1

Calabria Road, Islington, London N1

I suspect this coffee shop is a real little gem, but alas we did not have time to sample its wares. Maybe another time perhaps.

Little Gem Coffee Shop, Corsica Street, Islington, London N1

An unusual ghost sign, displaying nothing more than the street name and number.

55 CORSICA ST. 55

Ghost sign, Corsica Street, Islington, London N1

Ghost sign, Corsica Street, Islington, London N1

Not as ornate as many utility buildings I've come across, but there is still something about this electricity substation that appeals to me.

Islington Electricity Department building, Islington, London N1

A former pub, the Old Parr's Head, now home to various clothes shops, which I suspect do not offer luncheons daily.

Ghost sign for former pub, Islington, London N1

Curiously the same building also has the signage

BARCLAY PERKINS & CO LTD

Ghost sign for former pub, Islington, London N1

Ghost sign for former pub, Islington, London N1

And finally on this installment we have a most impressive old sign 

ESTABLISHED 1850

P.B.SPOONER & G.A.BUSHMAN.

M.R.C.V.S.

VETERINARY SURGEONS

AND AT 18, HOLLOWAY ROAD.

Ghost sign for Veterinary Surgeons, Islington, London N1

Part three to follow soon ... hopefully.

    

An Urban Wander around Islington, London N1 (part 1)

I've been to Islington in London plenty of times before, particularly when there used to be a branch of Reckless Records there, and more recently to Flashback, but I have never really spent time to wander around with anything other than vinyl on my mind. Last week however presented me with a fantastic opportunity to view this part of London through a Psychogeography lens.

We were lucky enough to get tickets to see the mighty Robyn Hitchcock at the Union Chapel in Islington on the Friday night, and our adventure started from there. After checking into our hotel for the evening, we proceeded up to the room and were immediately greeted with this spectacular view.

The view from the hotel, overlooking London

Walking up the Essex Road towards the venue, I had to pause briefly to take a picture of this wonderful ghost sign in the evening sun.

HOUSE OF WOLF
PURVEYORS OF FINE FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Ghost sign, Essex Road, Islington, London, N1

Having not been to the Union Chapel before, I was not sure of what to expect. Certainly not this, what a spectacular building.

Union Chapel, Islington, London N1

Union Chapel, Islington, London N1

The interior of the Chapel was pretty impressive too. Just time for a quick cup of tea while we waited for Robyn Hitchcock to come on stage. I won't do a gig review here, but needless to say he was both eccentric and excellent.

Union Chapel, Islington, London N1

The morning after the gig, having slept well in our hotel and breakfasted, we headed off to explore the surroundings.

Old Royal Free Hospital. Islington, London N1

If I'm honest I'm not quite sure why I took this photo. The frame of the church between the no entry signs perhaps?

Unidentified church, Islington, London N1

There are plenty of old squares and passageways to explore in Islington. Hard to think these are just a stone's throw from a busy London street.

Almeida Passage, Islington, London N1

Almeida Passage, Islington, London N1

Doorways, Islington, London N1

I'm always partial to a doorway mosaic, and this one is no exception.

Doorway mosaic, Islington, London N1

    

Come back soon for the next installment of this post.