Saturday 17 October 2026
Led by Peta Bridle and Michael Hill
In October we head to Angel, Islington, for our monthly sketchwalk. Angel is a busy North London district and an area of contrasts. Georgian townhouses line the streets behind the busy thoroughfare of Upper Street, while Chapel Market is a traditional street market selling everything from fruit and vegetables to clothing and street food. Islington is also well known for its independent shops, cafés and antiques, particularly around Camden Passage.
Key Times and Meeting Points for the Day
Saturday 17 October 2026
11am – Our 11am meeting point is the War Memorial on Islington Green, at the junction of Upper Street and Essex Road, London N1 0NY.
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1pm – First throwdown and group photograph at the same place.
3:30pm – Final throwdown and group photograph at the same place.
Afterwards: We’ll head to The Old Queen’s Head, 44 Essex Road, London N1 8LN, for a drink.
What to Sketch
There is plenty to discover within a relatively small area, from market stalls and busy streets to historic buildings, public art and the architecture of Angel’s shopping areas.
Bob the Cat Sculpture, Islington Green – Sitting on a bench on Islington Green is a life-size sculpture of Bob the Street Cat, created by sculptor Tanya Russell and unveiled in 2021. Bob became famous through his friendship with James Bowen, whose book A Street Cat Named Bob tells their story. The sculpture sits opposite the Waterstones where Bowen wrote the book.
Chapel Market – A traditional street market that has served the local community for more than 150 years. Look out for its stalls selling fruit and vegetables, clothing, bags, food and other everyday goods.
The Angel Clock – The Angel Clock, also known as the Islington Clock, stands on a traffic island at the junction of City Road and Goswell Road. The clock was made by J. Smith & Sons and presented to the Borough of Finsbury in 1906.
Angel Central Shopping Centre – The shopping centre provides a mixture of shops, cafés and places to shelter if the weather turns against us.
Islington Square – A modern development combining residential buildings, independent shops, cafés and restaurants, with a mixture of contemporary and more traditional architectural details.
Camden Passage – A pedestrianised street lined with independent shops, cafés and antiques. The main market days are Wednesday and Saturday, making this a particularly interesting place to sketch on our Saturday visit.
Practical Information
Transport
Tube: Angel is on the Northern line. Highbury & Islington is also within walking distance.
Rail: Various train lines, including Elizabeth and Thameslink, also serve the area. Highbury & Islington and Essex Road stations are both nearby.
Bus: Several bus routes (108, 19, 204, 205, and 318 ) serve Upper Street, Essex Road and the surrounding area. Check TfL for the latest routes and service information before travelling.
Toilets
There are public toilets on White Conduit Street, just off Chapel Market.
There are also toilets inside Angel Central Shopping Centre, around a two-minute walk from Angel Underground station.
Food and Drink
There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and food stalls around Angel, Chapel Market and Upper Street.
Trampoline is a favourite local café and is close to the meeting area.
After the sketchwalk, we’ll meet at The Old Queen’s Head, 44 Essex Road, N1 8LN. The pub is a Grade II listed building incorporating early 17th-century interior features.
