• Tube stations: Highbury & Islington, Angel
  
• Rail stations: Highbury & Islington, Essex Road
  
• Location: north of Finsbury, northwest of Hoxton, east of Camden, south of Highbury
  
• Borough: Islington (www.islington.gov.uk)
  
• Postcode: N1

Landmarks:
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that the N1 Islington shopping centre (www.n1islington.co.uk) has all the high street shops without the actual street.

Known for:
Islington is often associated with New Labour and Tony Blair, although much of the area, just like the party, has changed vastly since Blair lived there.

Who’s there?
A mix of media professionals, young families, council flat occupants and roving gangs of teenagers in hoodies trying to get into the local bars and pubs.

Making history:
Islington was the dairy capital of pre-Victorian London, but eventually (as per usual) development and expansion caught up with the place. Huge manor houses sprung up, but by the 20th century the area was a bit scummy. The property lost during WWII bombings was turned into housing estates, but over the last quarter of a century media types and young politicians have started to colonize the area.

Pub quiz facts:
While not writing about the vast reaches of space and time, sci-fi favorite Douglas Adams used Islington as a setting for many of his novels. The original radio series of Hitchhiker’s Guide mentioned a phone number that actually belonged to Adams’ Islington friends – until they moved in the late eighties, they would quite happily chat to the fans that bothered to call.

Famous faces:
Islington is home to songstresses Lily Allen and Dido, as well actress Neve Campbell, lad mag staple Abi Titmuss and comedian Jimmy Carr.

When it’s hot:
There’s loads of parks and open spaces, and unlike in slightly more posh areas, they’re open to everyone – not just residents. Try Rosemary Gardens off Southgate Road, Laycock Street Open Space and Barnard Park off Copenhagen Street.

When it’s not:
If you fancy experiencing some Islington culture, head for the Almeida Theatre (www.almeida.co.uk) for some award-winning contemporary drama or the Islington Arts Factory (www.islingtonartsfactory.org.uk) for exhibits and performances.