Archway: A bustling area with unique history

People seeking flats to rent in Archway will find that the area offers a vibrant community, combining a range of amenities, strong travel links and a fascinating cultural background.

Situated in the London borough of Islington, Archway is located on the Great North Road, also known as the A1, and is part of the Junction Ward, an area of the capital that is home to around 12,100 people.

Named after the arch built between Highgate and Hornsey in the late 19th century, Archway has passed into popular culture due to its pivotal role in the famous story of Dick Whittington, which has since become immortalised in pantomimes performed across the country each year.

According to local legend, it was in Archway that Dick heard the Bow Bells of London ringing out to send him a message that he would one day become lord mayor, leading him on his quirky adventures with his trusty cat.

A statue of the feline now stands at the point where this was said to have taken place and is a popular attraction for tourists.

This is not the only interesting note in Archway's cultural history, as the area was home to the world's first cable car and is also the site for St John's Church, designed by Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament.

More recently, the suburb was immortalised on the cover of The Kinks' classic album Muswell Hillbillies, while many works by the well-known graffiti artist Banksy can be seen around the region.

However, there is more to Archway than old history, as nowadays the district remains a bustling and vibrant place to live, thanks to its strong retail sector and robust transport links.

Those wishing to get in and out of the area can travel via Archway Tube station or the nearby Upper Holloway Rail Station, while Waterloo, London Bridge, Camden Town, Finchley and the West End are all a single bus ride away.

Once in Archway, consumers can sample a wide range of British and international produce at the Archway Market, which operates each Saturday and is located at the corner of St John's Grove and Holloway Road.

Visitors can sample and purchase fresh fruit, vegetables and meat or buy a tasty snack to go at the food market, while jewellery, handicrafts and a large selection of second-hand books are also available.

Elsewhere in Archway, residents can benefit from a well-stocked local library with internet access, family activities and a homework club, as well as a pleasant and scenic park near Miranda Estate and a leisure centre that offers gym facilities, a swimming pool, a sauna and water slides.

Meanwhile, those with artistic inclinations can also visit Jackson Lane Theatre, a multi-arts venue on Archway Road which hosts theatre, dance and circus performances, as well as being notable as the site where Little Britain's Matt Lucas and David Walliams performed together for the first time.

Thanks to these and other factors, Archway remains one of the liveliest and most interesting places in London in which to find a property.

Posted by Charles Mackay

Published 30th December, 2011

© 2011 Estates IT Limited