Canonbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canonbury |
|
|---|---|
 Canonbury Square Gardens |
|
 Canonbury
|
|
| Population | 12,072 (2011 Census. Ward) |
| OS grid reference | TQ325845 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | N1 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
|
| London Assembly |
|
Canonbury is a friendly neighbourhood in London, found within the London Borough of Islington. It's located in North London, generally between Essex Road, Upper Street, and Cross Street, and also around St Paul's Road.
Around 1253, some land here was given to the Canons (a type of priest) from St Bartholomew's Priory. That's how the area got its name, 'Canonbury'! For a long time, it was mostly open land. But in the early 1800s, it started to grow into a busy neighbourhood. Later, when trains made it easier to live further away, Canonbury became less popular for a while. But since the 1950s, people have been fixing up old buildings and building new ones, making it a great place to live again.
Contents
Exploring Canonbury's Location
Canonbury is part of Islington, a borough in London. It's not a separate town, but a neighbourhood within Islington. Its exact borders aren't officially set, but it's generally found between Essex Road, Upper Street, and Cross Street, and around St Paul's Road. The local voting area, called the Canonbury ward, stretches east to Southgate Road.
East Canonbury is the south-eastern part of the area. It borders the Regents Canal, which is a waterway. In 1993, some parts of this area were moved from the London Borough of Hackney to Canonbury.
Cool Places to Visit in Canonbury
Canonbury Tower: A Historic Landmark
The main house of Canonbury was built between 1509 and 1532. When monasteries were closed down, it was given to Thomas Cromwell, a powerful figure. In the 1590s, Sir John Spencer, who was the Lord Mayor of London, rebuilt the house and added its famous tower. Many important people have lived in the tower, including the philosopher Francis Bacon and the writer Oliver Goldsmith. Today, it's used as a research centre.
Canonbury Square: A Beautiful Green Space
This square was developed between 1805 and 1830. It has many different styles of buildings. In 1812, a new road, now called Canonbury Road, was built right through the square. Many famous writers and artists have lived here, like George Orwell and Evelyn Waugh.
Art and History at Estorick Collection
The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art is a museum located in Canonbury Square. It's a great place to see modern Italian art.
John Spencer Square: Another Lovely Garden Square
This residential garden square is named after Sir John Spencer. Famous people like the politician Barbara Castle have lived here.
New River Walk: A Historic Waterway
The New River is an old aqueduct built in 1613 to bring fresh water to London. The walk along it is split into two parts. The southern part has a special system that makes the water flow like the original aqueduct.
Arlington Square: A Top Garden Spot
Arlington Square is another beautiful garden square in Canonbury. It has even been voted one of the best garden squares in the UK!
Canonbury's Literary and Artistic Connections
Many famous writers and artists have called Canonbury home. George Orwell moved to 27b Canonbury Square in 1944 after his previous home was bombed. Evelyn Waugh lived at 17a Canonbury Square from 1928 to 1930. Charles Dickens even wrote a Christmas story about a lamplighter in Canonbury, which features the Tower.
Churches in Canonbury
St Paul's Church: Now a School
St Paul's Church was designed in 1826-28. Since 1997, this building has been used as a Steiner school.
St Stephen's Church
St Stephen's Church was built in 1839 and is located on Canonbury Road.
Community Groups in Canonbury
- Greenpeace UK has offices in Canonbury Villas.
- The Canonbury Society works to protect the special look and feel of Canonbury.
- The Islington & Stoke Newington (T.S Quail) Sea Cadet Unit is also based here.
- The Islington Society, founded in 1960, helps to improve life in Islington. They focus on buildings, transport, and public spaces.
Getting Around Canonbury
Nearby Train and Tube Stations
Canonbury is well-connected by public transport. The nearest stations are:
- Angel (Tube)
- Essex Road (Train)
- Canonbury (Train)
- Highbury & Islington (Tube and Train)
Bus Routes Serving Canonbury
Many London Buses routes pass through Canonbury, making it easy to travel around. These include routes 4, 19, 30, 38, 56, 73, 236, 263, 341, 393, and 476.
Education in Canonbury
Canonbury Primary School
Canonbury Road School, now called Canonbury Primary School, opened in 1877. It's a school for boys and girls aged 3 to 11. In 2013, the school was rated as "Good" by Ofsted, an education inspection body. At that time, it had 460 students.
St Mary's Church of England Primary School
This school started as a charity school in 1710. Since 1967, it has been on Fowler Road in Canonbury. In 2012, it was also rated as a "Good" school by Ofsted, with 178 students.
North Bridge House Senior School
North Bridge House Senior School is another school located in Canonbury.
Famous People Who Lived in Canonbury
Many well-known people have lived in Canonbury over the years!
- Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII, lived in Canonbury Tower from 1533 to 1540.
- Sir Francis Bacon, a famous philosopher, lived in Canonbury Tower from 1616 to 1626.
- John Newbery, who published children's books, lived in Canonbury House.
- George Orwell, the famous writer, lived at 27b Canonbury Square.
- Evelyn Waugh, another well-known writer, lived at 17a Canonbury Square.
- Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, who were painters, lived at 26a Canonbury Square.
- Professor Sir Basil Spence, a famous architect, lived and worked at 1 Canonbury Place.
- Dame Flora Robson, an actress, lived in Alwyne Villas.
- Louis Macneice, a poet, lived at 52 Canonbury Park South.
- Barbara Castle, a politician, lived in John Spencer Square.
- Alan Davies, an actor and comedian.
- Cate Blanchett, a famous actress, lived at 7 Canonbury Grove.
- Dame Stella Rimington, who used to lead MI5 (a UK security service), lived in Canonbury.
- Dido, the singer, lived at 1 Willow Bridge Road.
- Alison Moyet, another singer, lived at 6 Alwyne Road.
- Keira Knightley, an actress, moved to Canonbury in 2014.
- Kit Harington, an actor, moved to Canonbury in 2015.
- James Bay, a singer, moved to Canonbury in 2016.
- Emma Watson, an actress, lived at 2 Canonbury Place.
Images for kids
-
A map showing the Canonbury ward of Islington Metropolitan Borough as it appeared in 1916.
 |
Holloway | Highbury | Newington Green | |
| Barnsbury |  |
Dalston | ||
 Canonbury  |
||||
 |
||||
| Islington | Hoxton | De Beauvoir Town |
