Canonbury Square is one of the elegant public garden squares of Islington. It’s a great place to stop for a rest. You can admire the view from one of the many park benches inscribed with the names of many of its late admirers. It was built between 1805 and 1830 in a variety of distinct styles which are still well preserved. It was originally intended, and planned, as a complete enclosed square. But after the land was bought for development it became clear that a public right of way bisected the land and could not be built on nor diverted. The New North Turnpike out of the City (now Canonbury Road) bisects the square thus giving a unique facet to its character. It has had some famous residents. George Orwell and Evelyn Waugh (Authors) lived at numbers 27b (see the blue plaque) and 17a respectively. There is also a plaque to Samuel Phelps (Tragedian) on the south west side.
The Western half of the square has recently had some vines planted from the Loire region. During World War 2 the eastern half of the square was the site for an anti aircraft battery, stationed here to help defend London from German aircraft. The small brick building with black steel shutters and a sloping roof is an entrance to an old WW2 air raid shelter.
On the North bisection of the square sits the The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art. The core of its collection is its Futurist works, but it also includes figurative art and sculpture dating from 1890 to the 1950’s. It has a small cafe serving good quality food and drink. In the summer, its small garden is a delight to sit in.
For refreshments, The Canonbury (formerly the Canonbury Arms), 200m east of Cannonbury Square along Canonbury Lane, is a newly refurbished gastropub with a good selection of beers and London’s largest pub garden. Another excellent gastropub Marquess Tavern; 32 Canonbury St N1 2TB serves a fine selection of beers and has a few outside tables looking onto the backs of Alwyne Villas. This could link you with the interesting New River Walk which has further Geocaches along its route. For wine enthusiasts, try The Sampler at 266 Upper Street N1 2UQ (head west out of the square to Upper Street, then 30-40m south on your left). A winner a several innovation awards where you can try 80 different wines from their Sampling Machines (prices from 30p per sample glass to much, much more for the fabled ‘Wine Icons’ which are often £1000+ per bottle).
