Pentonville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pentonville
Pentonville
OS grid reference	TQ315835
• Charing Cross	1.75 mi (2.8 km) SSW
London borough	Islington
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
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	Islington South and Finsbury
London Assembly	North East
List of places UK England London 51°31′55″N 0°06′50″W / 51.532°N 0.114°W / 51.532; -0.114

Pentonville is an area in North London, England. It is part of the London Borough of Islington. Pentonville is about 1.75 miles (2.8 km) north-northeast of Charing Cross. It is located along the London Inner Ring Road. The area grew on the edge of the old Clerkenwell parish. It was developed along the New Road. The name Pentonville comes from Henry Penton, who helped build up the area.

History of Pentonville

A map showing Pentonville ward in 1952.

The area is named after Henry Penton. He started building many streets here in the 1770s. Before that, it was just open countryside. Pentonville was originally part of the old Clerkenwell parish.

Later, it became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury in 1899. This change happened because of the London Government Act 1899. Since 1965, Pentonville has been part of the London Borough of Islington. From 1965 to 1978, Pentonville even had its own local council ward. This ward elected three councillors to the Islington London Borough Council.

The church of St Mark the Evangelist in 1828.

Many important people have connections to Pentonville. John Stuart Mill was born here in 1806. He was a very famous philosopher and economist. Forbes Benignus Winslow, a well-known psychiatrist, was also born here in 1810.

In 1902, Vladimir Lenin lived near Pentonville Road with his wife. Lenin was a key leader in Russian history. It was during this time that he first met Leon Trotsky. Trotsky was another important political figure.

Geography of Pentonville

Pentonville is surrounded by other interesting places. Nearby areas include Islington, St. Pancras, and Finsbury.

It is important to know that HM Prison Pentonville is not actually in Pentonville. The famous prison is located on Caledonian Road. This is some distance north in an area called Barnsbury.

Transport in Pentonville

Getting around Pentonville is easy with the London Underground. The closest tube stations are Angel and King's Cross St Pancras. These stations connect you to many parts of London.

Pentonville in Popular Culture

Pentonville has appeared in many books and songs.

• Mr Brownlow is a character from Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist (1838). He lives on a quiet street near Pentonville in the book. However, in the musical Oliver!, he lives in Bloomsbury Square.
• Mr Guppy is a law clerk in Dickens' novel Bleak House (1853). He has a home in Penton Place, Pentonville. It is described as "airy, open at the back, and considered one of the 'ealthiest outlets."
• Hyacinth Robinson is the main character in Henry James' book The Princess Casamassima (1886). He lives in Pentonville with his adoptive mother. She works as a seamstress.
• "Pentonville" is also the name of a song. It is a track on the Babyshambles album Down in Albion, released in 2005.

See also

In Spanish: Pentonville para niños