Guidebook for London
Local independent food shops
Our area of Highbury is very lucky to have a lot of small, independent retailers with the expertise to provide high quality goods.
Attractive independent local grocery (much organic) and green grocery (v little organic produce).
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Seasons & Blossoms
92 Highbury ParkAttractive independent local grocery (much organic) and green grocery (v little organic produce).
Fantastic range of great English and continental cheeses from independent producers
143 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Fromagerie
30 Highbury ParkFantastic range of great English and continental cheeses from independent producers
Highbury Vintners
71 Highbury ParkLocal sightseeing
Arsenal football stadium/modern stadium architecture
385 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Emirates Stadium
Hornsey RoadArsenal football stadium/modern stadium architecture
One of London's 7 great Victorian cemeteries. Suitably gothic and atmospheric. The resting place for local dissenters (Stoke Newington was the home of Mary Wollstonecraft, although she is buried in St Pancras churchyard) and Salvation Army dignitaries. Established as an arboretum and has become a natural wildlife sanctuary.
Some paths muddy in winter and wet weather.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Abney Park
Stoke Newington Church StreetOne of London's 7 great Victorian cemeteries. Suitably gothic and atmospheric. The resting place for local dissenters (Stoke Newington was the home of Mary Wollstonecraft, although she is buried in St Pancras churchyard) and Salvation Army dignitaries. Established as an arboretum and has become a natural wildlife sanctuary.
Some paths muddy in winter and wet weather.
Local Food Scene
These are just the tip of the iceberg. We are surrounded by an international range of cuisines all within 15 mins walk of the house
Michelin starred Thai restaurant 5 mins walk from the house
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Farang
72 Highbury ParkMichelin starred Thai restaurant 5 mins walk from the house
Locals' haunt for a delicious range of Italian food, and the host is so friendly it's great even if you're eating alone.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Il Guscio
231 Blackstock RdLocals' haunt for a delicious range of Italian food, and the host is so friendly it's great even if you're eating alone.
Bourne's Fishmongers
13 Highbury ParkLocal fresh fish shop with oyster bar
Fantastic fresh fish shop and restaurant, 15 mins walk from our house
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Prawn on the Lawn
294 St Paul's RdFantastic fresh fish shop and restaurant, 15 mins walk from our house
A top London cheese shop on our doorstep, with small cafe with great coffee etc. Catch the fondue night on Fridays.
143 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Fromagerie
30 Highbury ParkA top London cheese shop on our doorstep, with small cafe with great coffee etc. Catch the fondue night on Fridays.
Independent wine merchant with knowledgable staff and regular wine tastings. Impressive range of natural wines.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Highbury Vintners
71 Highbury ParkIndependent wine merchant with knowledgable staff and regular wine tastings. Impressive range of natural wines.
Rightly famous for lovely fresh, interesting food any time of day. In the evening the menu remains the same but prices double/portions halve.
364 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ottolenghi Islington
287 Upper StRightly famous for lovely fresh, interesting food any time of day. In the evening the menu remains the same but prices double/portions halve.
Local Arts & Culture
Intimate theatre, great acting, good choice of plays.
224 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Almeida Theatre
Almeida StreetIntimate theatre, great acting, good choice of plays.
Little Angel Theatre
14 Dagmar PassageFantastic puppetry
Beautiful, very atmospheric Victorian venue, assorted occasional music gigs - opera/jazz
Great bar, but only open to concert goers
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Union Chapel
19b Compton TerraceBeautiful, very atmospheric Victorian venue, assorted occasional music gigs - opera/jazz
Great bar, but only open to concert goers
This independent theatre at Finsbury Park is a lovely, intimate place to see (sometimes famous actors in) a variety of plays, including new writing.
Lovely cakes coffee and beers in the café during the day too.
100 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Park Theatre
13 Clifton TerraceThis independent theatre at Finsbury Park is a lovely, intimate place to see (sometimes famous actors in) a variety of plays, including new writing.
Lovely cakes coffee and beers in the café during the day too.
Favourite London Galleries, not on the doorstep
Not exhaustive, just looking beyond the major museums and galleries.
Modern art gallery - free entry - extraordinarily good exhibitions. Off the beaten track in a side street near King's Cross
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gagosian Gallery
20 Grosvenor HillModern art gallery - free entry - extraordinarily good exhibitions. Off the beaten track in a side street near King's Cross
Always an interesting take on educating the public about health matters. Past exhibitions I've enjoyed and learned a lot from include Dirt; Death; High Society (opiate drugs) to name but a few. Free entry to temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection.
122 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wellcome Collection
183 Euston RdAlways an interesting take on educating the public about health matters. Past exhibitions I've enjoyed and learned a lot from include Dirt; Death; High Society (opiate drugs) to name but a few. Free entry to temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection.
Raven Row
56 Artillery LnAnother free gem.
A very special place which requires guests not to speak as they look round the house and get a sense of what life was like in a Georgian house.
79 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dennis Severs' House
18 Folgate StA very special place which requires guests not to speak as they look round the house and get a sense of what life was like in a Georgian house.
Extraordinary home built for Sir Frederick Leighton RA, with the most beautiful use of Islamic tiles and interesting architectural details.
105 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Leighton House Museum
12 Holland Park RdExtraordinary home built for Sir Frederick Leighton RA, with the most beautiful use of Islamic tiles and interesting architectural details.
Behind Selfridges, a private house (fascinating in itself) with an extensive permanent collection of decorative French art and armoury. Free except for temporary exhibitions
230 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Wallace Collection
Manchester SquareBehind Selfridges, a private house (fascinating in itself) with an extensive permanent collection of decorative French art and armoury. Free except for temporary exhibitions
Fascinating as the first public museum in London (slightly predates the British Museum), housed in 2 town houses in Lincoln's Inn Fields, unchanged for 180 years.
Large collection of Hogarth, including The Rake's Progress, but principally known for the collection of plaster models which Soane intended students of arts and architecture to study and draw, hence opening his house as a museum to the public. Also home to a sarcophagus which was turned down by the British Museum as too expensive. Knowledgable volunteers on hand to answer questions.
Free entry, except to evening events.
183 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Museum kaSir John Soane
13 Lincoln's Inn FieldsFascinating as the first public museum in London (slightly predates the British Museum), housed in 2 town houses in Lincoln's Inn Fields, unchanged for 180 years.
Large collection of Hogarth, including The Rake's Progress, but principally known for the collection of plaster models which Soane intended students of arts and architecture to study and draw, hence opening his house as a museum to the public. Also home to a sarcophagus which was turned down by the British Museum as too expensive. Knowledgable volunteers on hand to answer questions.
Free entry, except to evening events.