Today I want to share my guide to Barnsbury, London with you. Part of the London Borough of Islington, this north London neighborhood manages to hide in plain sight. But it’s worth exploring for its beautiful streets and squares, local pubs, and beloved coffee shops. Read on for A Lady in London’s Barnsbury area guide.
Barnsbury
Just west of Islington and Upper Street, Barnsbury is one of the great off-the-beaten-path areas of London to explore. It’s central enough that it’s easy to get to, and the neighborhood is ideal for walking and discovering local London.
If you’re wondering where to live in London, it’s also a good option. Its location between Islington and King’s Cross and its slightly lower housing costs (in some parts, anyway) than its neighbors make it worth considering.
How to Get to Barnsbury
Barnsbury is easy to get to. The Caledonian Road & Barnsbury Overground station serves the area. There’s a Caledonian Road tube station on the Piccadilly line a bit farther north, too.
Highbury & Islington station, King’s Cross and St Pancras stations, and Angel tube station are also nearby. They make it easy to get to Barnsbury on the tube and train.
Plenty of local buses stop on Caledonian Road and other streets as well. The area is also within walking distance of areas like Clerkenwell, Highbury, and Canonbury.
Once you’re in this north London neighborhood, you’ll discover plenty of things to do in Barnsbury that will encourage you to stick around and explore.
Pubs, Restaurants, and Coffee Shops
Barnsbury is home to a number of good pubs, restaurants, and coffee shops. The area around the intersection of Offord Road, Roman Way, and Hemingford Road has some of the best.
Pubs like the Hemingford Arms are draped in vines on the outside and full of character on the inside. Across the street, Sunday Cafe & Restaurant is a local favorite (the banana bread is popular with people who live in the neighborhood).
On the other side of Offord Road, Southpaw serves some of the best coffee in Barnsbury.
Barnsbury Streets
Barnsbury was named after the Berners family. These medieval lords of the manor owned the local land after the Norman Conquest in 1066. While their estates are long gone, elegant streets in the area are redolent of the neighborhood’s past.
I love walking down Richmond Avenue and taking in the unique sculptures in front of the houses on the south side of the street.
Ripplevale Grove is another favorite of mine. The colorful doors are a treat for the eyes, and the areas in front of them are great for London garden ideas.
Caledonian Road is one of the major streets running through the neighborhood. While busier and not as eye-catching as the others, it has vibrant street art and lots of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Barnsbury Parks and Squares
The area has great green spaces, too. I love walking through Barnsbury Square and admiring its central garden. Mountfort Crescent, Mountfort Terrace, and Barnsbury Terrace transport me back in time, too.
Not far away, Thornhill Square is lined with attractive brick houses and has pretty public gardens to stroll through.
Just north of Thornhill Square, Barnsbury Wood Nature Reserve is a wildlife garden and woodland that’s a great little secret. Said to be the smallest local nature reserve in London, it’s a fun place to discover (just make sure to check opening hours before you go).
Barnard Park is one of the main green spaces in Barnsbury, and it’s a great place to sit or have a picnic on a sunny day. The streets around it are full of attractive houses with colorful doors, too.
Regent’s Canal
The southern edge of Barnsbury borders Regent’s Canal. It’s fun to take canal walks in London along the Regent’s Canal Towpath. It leads to King’s Cross, Camden, and other exciting parts of London.
Barnsbury
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this Barnsbury area guide and that it’s gotten you excited to discover this place yourself. It’s a great London neighborhood, and an ideal spot to get a feel for a local part of the UK capital.
Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!
New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.
Pin it!