Barnsbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barnsbury |
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 Thornhill Square |
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 Barnsbury
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| OS grid reference | TQ305845 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | N1, N7 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Barnsbury is a lively area in north London, England. It is part of the London Borough of Islington and falls within the N1 and N7 postcode areas.
Contents
Discovering Barnsbury's Past
Barnsbury has a long and interesting history. Its name comes from Bernersbury, which was used in 1274. This name came from the Berners family. They were powerful medieval lords who owned a large part of Islington after the Norman Conquest of England.
From Farmland to Homes
For a long time, Barnsbury was mostly countryside. It had farms and open fields. But by the late 1700s, things began to change. Wealthy people wanted to move out of the crowded City of London and busy Clerkenwell. Barnsbury was a great choice because it was close to the city but still felt like a peaceful, rural area.
The area was also important for trade. It was the first stop for travelers going from London to the north. Farmers also drove their cattle through Barnsbury to the Smithfield cattle market in the city.
Parks and Prisons
Barnard Park is a large green space in Barnsbury. It covers about 10 acres (4 hectares) and has many football pitches. This park was created in 1967 on land where houses once stood. These houses were destroyed during World War Two bombings. The park is named after Cllr George Barnard, who was a mayor of Islington.
Pentonville Prison is also located in Barnsbury. It is a well-known prison that was built in 1842.
How Barnsbury is Governed
Since 2006, the Barnsbury area has been represented by three Labour Party councillors. These councillors are elected officials who help make decisions for the local community. They work to improve services and address the needs of the people living in Barnsbury.
Famous People from Barnsbury
Many well-known people have lived in or have connections to Barnsbury.
- Gillian Anderson (born 1968) is a famous actress, activist, and writer.
- Tony and Cherie Blair once lived in Barnsbury with their family. Tony Blair was a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- Michael Faraday (1791–1867) was a brilliant chemist who made important discoveries.
- Owen Jones (born 1984) is a writer and activist for the Labour Party.
- Enid Marx (1902–1998) was a talented painter and designer. She was known for her textile designs for the London Transport Board and the Utility furniture scheme.
- Ivor Moreton (1908–1984) was a pianist and singer who was born in Barnsbury.
- Grayson Perry (born 1960) is a celebrated artist.
- Emily Thornberry (born 1960) is a Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Islington South and Finsbury.
Getting Around Barnsbury
Barnsbury is well-connected by public transport. Here are the nearest train and tube stations:
- Caledonian Road & Barnsbury Overground station
- Angel tube station
- Caledonian Road tube station
- Highbury and Islington station
Neighbouring Areas
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Kentish Town | Highbury | Hoxton | |
| Camden Town |  |
Canonbury | ||
 Barnsbury  |
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| St Pancras | Bloomsbury | Clerkenwell |
See also
In Spanish: Barnsbury para niños
