Islington and Angel

The Notting Hill of the East
Talk of the town: George Orwell, Evelyn Waugh and Joe Orton all lived here in the 20th century, securing its former reputation as a literary hub.

Word to the wise: Camden Passage antiques market is not - as the name suggests - in Camden, but here in Angel, with stalls spreading throughout the charming pedestrianised arcades.
The closest to a West London vibe you’ll find in North London, Islington is, however, slightly less expensive and slightly less refined. Upper Street has an ever burgeoning number of delectable delights from kooky design stores to cake shops, and at night turns into a one-stop destination for dressed-up drinkers.

It thrives on a shabby chic appeal with the renovated Georgian mansions and Victorian terraces home to stylish city workers and successful artists making it distinctively upper-middle class. Once a haven for independent stores, Angel is increasingly commercialised, but you can still find the vibrant edginess along the Essex Road. There are also a number of theatres and live music venues here, as well as the great 'Screen on the Green' independent cinema.