Located in the popular East End area of London, Victoria Park is a charming village area in the large open space of the Victoria Park area in the London Borough of Town Hamlet. The area is largely opened to the public, and acts as a delightful escape from the busy congested areas of city life.

Victoria Park has several noteworthy architectural pieces being London’s first public park. The park has been referred to as the Regents Park of the east. The Hackney Wick Great War Memorial can be seen in the park as quite a remarkable piece. There is also the pedestrian alcove surviving from the London Bridge as well as the impressive drinking fountain erected by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts in the 1800s. The village area caters mainly to residential properties and small businesses. The Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, Geffrye Museum and Sutton House should not be missed.

Several exciting events are held in Victoria Park especially during the summer. Here you can enjoy music and other performing arts events, speeches and important public gatherings. Victoria Park is well known for its open air music festivals as well as its programs which facilitate children. These include the One O’ Clock club for children under five, the deer and goat herds, children’s play park with paddling pool and children summer activities. Cricket is a major past time in the summer as well, and opportunities for football are readily available. The Hackney Empire can be accessed from the area, where entertaining music shows can be seen.

Several lovely cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants of all kinds can be accessed in Victoria Park. Nice places to eat include the Britannia on Victoria Road, Pavilion Cafe, Fish House, the Empress of India and the Approach Tavern.

Victoria Park is well equipped with designer boutiques, specialist interior shops, pottery and gist shops and hair and beauty salons. The remarkable wine store of Bottle Apostle or the Park Boutique which has the latest fashions is hot shopping spot in Victoria Park. Memorable memoirs and souvenirs can be had at the gift shops in the area. The Cardinal Place Shopping Centre has everything all in one place. Nearby markets can also be accessed in the Town Hamlet area.

The park itself has many green spaces and recreational facilities, beautiful ponds and picturesque gardens. The Old English Garden is a major highlight and a flower lover’s paradise. The green areas surrounding the small lakes are great for picnics, reading or just relaxing.

Victoria Park is served by the Hackney Wick and Homerton train stations. The nearest tube stations to the town are the Mile End station which has district and central lines, Bow Road which is a district line and Bethnal Green. There is also the Cambridge Heath Overground rail station and the Bethnal Green National Rail. Buses and cabs are other ways of getting around the area.

The local authorities in charge of services in Victoria Park area are the Hackney and Tower Hamlet Councils. Council tax rates depend on the area one occupies with cheaper rates in those areas under the Tower Hamlet Council. The average values are £791 to £2373. Your tax rates are set annually and are based on your property value and your postal code. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax; these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, is the only person who lives on the property or if you qualify for the second adult rebate.

Victoria Park is home to families, a few professionals and many working class people. A wonderfully relaxing and pleasant time can be experienced by families, couples and singles amidst the romantic treasures of Victoria Park.

Relevant Links
Hackney Local Authority
Tower Hamlets Local Authority

Tufnell Park is a pleasant district in the border of Islington and Camden in North London. The district lies along an ancient Roman road and is most noted for its dairy produce in previous centuries. Tufnell Park has the advantage of being nested between two very popular areas and as such, is quite attractive to those seeking a base to explore the best of London from.

Tufnell Park is one of those areas served by the Piccadilly Line where you can reach central London within a few minutes. A number of bus routes are in operation along Holloway Road while the Tufnell Park underground station among other such, facilitate popular modes of transport by train. The Upper Holloway and Gospel Oak are the closet over head stations. A wide variety of tubes and trains can be accessed.

Tufnell Park is served by both Islington and Camden Councils due to its location. Those areas under Camden’s jurisdiction have council rates from £857 to £2,571 while those in Islington have rates between £794 and £2,381. You might also be eligible for a reduction in council tax; these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, only person lives on the property or if you qualify for the second adult rebate.

Uniformed and consistent architecture is one of the area’s most appreciated traits when it comes to buildings in Tufnell Park. Tufnell Park’s beautiful Victorian terraces, tree lined streets, and the well developed properties away from Holloway Road form the basis of property types in the area. Many notable business properties are located around Holloway Road. Lady Margaret Road and Huddleston Road have lovely family houses.

Holloway Road is the main shopping area in Tufnell Park with a wide variety of stores and shopping centres to choose from. An indoor market is also available. The Blue Carbuncle is one of the popular shopping places in the town. Many enjoyable restaurants can also be found on Holloway Road and in the vicinity of Islington. The Chameli Indian Restaurant for example specialises in tantalising Indian cuisines while African dishes can be enjoyed at Lalibela Restaurant. Also worth trying is the Chinese cuisine at Eatzone Noodle House. Ethiopian restaurants are also available. Of course, there are always the good old pizza shops, ice cream counters, bars and snack shops.

While Tufnell Park in itself is not heavily concentrated with entertainment options, there are a few good pubs and bars worth having a drink or two at. These include Lord Palmerston, the ¬Junction Tavern and the ¬Dartmouth Arms. The Dirty Water Club is one of the better night time spots in the district. The many theatres, cinemas and leisure centres which include swimming, tennis and skating parks in Islington can also be accessed quite easily. The Mapalim venue centre hosts enjoyable events from time to time while places such as Cash City, Agora Amusements and the HMV Forum are popular entertainment spots.

There are quite a few parks and garden areas which can be reached quite easily from Tufnell Park. Hampton Heath is one such open space. This large park with its beautiful greeneries has wonderful opportunities for walking (or jogging) and sightseeing. Swimming and fishing can also be enjoyed in some of the parks in the park. Tufnell Park is home to several middle class families, journalists and other film and television workers, young professionals and persons buying property for the first time. There are also the interesting hippies who occupy some parts of the district.

Relevant Links
Camden City Council

Stoke Newington is a beautiful district in the London Borough of Hackney in England. The area is defined by refreshing open spaces, a rich history and culture and a wide range of energetic activities for the young at heart.

While there are no tubes in Stoke Newington, you can get around easily by buses and rented cars, or travel from the underground station at Finsbury Park. The district does have a rail station however and there are trains such as Dalston Kingsland, Hackney Downs and London Fields.

The Hackney Council is responsible for the delivery and care of services to Stoke Newington. As such, council tax rates range from a high of £2,574 to a minimum of £858 depending on property values. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, only person lives on the property or if you qualify for the second adult rebate.

Stoke Newington is home to quite a few grade II and grade II architectural sites. St. Matthias Church is the only grade I building in the area. The church dates back to the 1800s and is a major landmark in Stoke Newington. The fine architecture of places such as Saint Mary’s New Church, Clissold House in Clissold Park, Saint Andrew’s Church of Bethune Road and the Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes and the unusual architecture of the Climbing Castle.

There are quite a few wonderful Victorian terraces in the area, most of which have been converted to flats. Housing blocks and flats are also available for those seeking to reside in the area. Beautiful properties for residential can be found in areas near Stoke Newington Church Street, Defoe Road and Oldfield Road.

The main shopping areas in Stoke Newington are High Street and Church Street where you can find fashion shops and several variety stores. A number of restaurants, bars, cafes and wine bars can also be found in that vicinity. Stoke Newington is richly endowed with a variety of restaurants offering a delicious taste of different cultures.

Chinese restaurants such as Haikksun and the Turkish restaurants of Caglayan, Clicia and Canli Balik are worth visiting. There is also the Cirik which specialises in Greek cuisines, the Indian Abi Ruchi and the European Fifty Six Restaurant. Stoke Newington is well known for its lively musical performances and shows, excellent pubs, bars and cafes.

Contemporary jazz performances and comedies are quite popular. Among the favourite entertainment spots are Ryans and the Lion and the other clubs on Church Street. The Others is another great spot and can be found above the snooker hall while Bodrums in Stoke Newington. Entertaining events are held on a regular basis at places such as the Abney Tigers Karate Club and Tango ConeXion. Other entertainment centres include Sixofone, Future Fire, Frititi Traditional African Drumming and Dance and Dance Europe.

Stoke Newington’s splendid open spaces include the West Reservoir in the north which is a major leisure and green area, the Castle Climbing Centre and the Clissold Park-all great areas for leisure and fun. The Abney Park Cemetery represents one of England’s finest cemeteries while the charming Stoke Newington Commons is ideal for walking, reconnecting with nature and other recreational activities. Several leisure facilities can be accessed from Stoke Newington. Being a major water supplier in London, area has magnificent reservoirs.

The Stoke Newington area has a rich diversity of people from differing ethnic backgrounds including Afro-Caribbean, Turkish and Jewish residents, young professionals and middle class workers and people employed in the advertising and publishing industries. There are quite a few teachers in the area as well. Stoke Newington provides a wonderful experience of the various aspects of living in a major city.

Relevant Links
Hackney City Council

Shoreditch represents a developed, stylish and trendy section of London’s inner city area in the London Borough of Hackney. The area lies within the central section of the city and has a busy network of businesses. The Shoreditch High Street represents the historic centre of the town where interesting sights and stories about the city’s development can be seen.

The train station on Liverpool Street presents a great way of getting into Shoreditch. There are also several buses, taxis, car hires and limousine services available for rental. The Shoreditch High Street Underground Station opens in 2010.
The local authority in charge of delivering services to Shoreditch is the Islington council. Council tax rates can be as low as £794 or as high as £2,381. Your tax rates are set annually and are based on your property value. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax.

There are several Victorian styled buildings in the Shoreditch area. A major landmark is the impressive Shoreditch Church from Saxon origins in the 12th century. This medieval church was later rebuilt in a fine Palladian style and sits beautifully in the city today. Shoreditch is home to many modernised industrial complexes which have been converted into multi storey office spaces. There are several commercial buildings in the area. Residentially speaking, there are several expensive high quality housing such as flats, lofts and shift studios which have the advantage of being close to Old Street. Towards Kingsland Road, Dalston and other areas, affordable housing in Shoreditch can be obtained by multi sharing.

Shoreditch boasts a variety of great shops, restaurants and takeaways. Several shops and art galleries can be seen from Whitechapel to the Brick Lane area. Brick Lane has many fashion shops and curry restaurants, the Spitalfields Market has fashion and other miscellaneous items and Kingsland Road is known for its Vietnamese restaurants. Bethnal Green Road has a lovely Turkish restaurant known as Tas Firin which is great as well. You can enjoy Italian at the Lena restaurant amidst a live jazz and cocktail lounge in Shoreditch.

Shoreditch has no shortage of bars, clubs and pubs when it comes to entertainment. You can start at Old Street where there are several lively bars opened until decent hours into the night. Shoreditch High Street is known for its historic music halls and strip tease spots while fashionable clubs and pubs can be found on Curtain Road and Old Street. Joplin’s ‘White Cube’ in Hoxton Square has several opening views events and art lovers can enjoy the numerous art exhibitions which take place in the area.

Great bars in the area include The Redchurch, Catch on Kingsland Road and the Cocomo on Old Street. The most prominent open space in Shoreditch is the Shoreditch Park with its beautiful green space, sports facilities, adventure and children’s playground. Here you will find the only outdoor beach volley ball court in London.

Shoreditch is populated with persons from many different international ethnic groups. The area is known for its highly creative working class residents, artists and other individuals most of whom are involved in one creative industry or the other. There is also a high concentration of East Londoners in the area. Many wealthy persons reside in the area. Shoreditch is ideal for those who enjoy basking in a modern up beat environment.

Relevant Links
Islington Council

Regents Park is one of Britain’s most famous parks, listed as one of the Royal Parks of London. This is the hereditary possessions of the crown and the park covers some of the London Borough of Westminster but most of it sits in the Camden Borough. Regents Park has exceptional sports and leisure facilities, gastronomic delights, educational centres, heritage and wildlife spots among other attractions.

The park divided into two rings, with an outer inner road and an inner one. The park’s architecture represents a planned master design of the landscape. St John’s Lodge and the Holme represent the most historic buildings within the park. Here there are commercial properties, natural sites, and high class residential areas along the ring. White stucco terraces and houses by the famous architect, John Nash are the main residential properties there. The Regents canal runs through the park. The park is also home to nine remarkable villas, impressive facades and places like the London Central Mosque.

Regents Park is home to several exciting events, bars and cafes, clubs and other entertainment spots. The Camden Green Fair is a major event in the park held to encourage the preservation of the green environment in the area. You can enjoy thrilling shows at the Open Air theatre in Queen Mary’s Garden, which is a popular event venue. Other popular spots in the park include the Hub, Boathouse Cafe along the canal, Garden Cafe, Honest Sausage and Cow and Coffee Bean. You will enjoy the delicacies at these eateries. The Tennis Centre in the park has lovely games lined up with great meals at the end of the match. Sports facilities include boating and other water sports, the exercise area and those at Primrose Hill and Bandstand. You can take advantage of the guided walks and summer Sunday jazz concerts.

There are several breathtaking gardens in Regent’s Park to enjoy. These include Queen Mary’s Garden, the Wildlife Garden which is perfect for nature enthusiasts and St John Lodge Gardens, the English Gardens and Avenue Gardens. Lakes, wildflower gardens, secluded woodlands and meadows can also be seen in Regents Park. A most sought after attraction in the park is the ZSL London Zoo. This world renowned conservation centre has over 650 species of fauna from all over the world and is the world’s first scientific zoo. The park’s main shopping areas can be found at Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park Road and includes food stores, cafes, fashion stores and other variety stops.

Regent’s Park has an excellent connection of transportation links, with several trains, tubes and buses serving the area. There is also a host of cabs, buses and for those wishing to travel in style, limousines. Train stations serving the area include places like Camden Road, London Marylebone, London Euston and St Pancras. There are several tubes on Baker Street, Euston Square and in the park itself.

Both the Camden and Westminster Councils are the local authorities responsible for delivering services to Regents Park. Westminster areas have very affordable council taxes from £439 to about £1,318. However, the Camden council taxes for the park are approximately two times that of Westminster’s. Your tax rates are set annually and are based on your property value and your postal code. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax; these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, is the only person who lives on the property, or if you qualify for the second adult rebate.

For the most part, Regents Park supports persons engaged in the manufacturing industry, technicians and trade workers. The more affluent sections are home to wealthy folks and young professionals. Regent’s Park represents an oasis of naturalist, culture and creativity amidst a busy cosmopolitan environment.
Camden Local Authority: http://www.camden.gov.uk
Westminster Local Authority: http://www.westminster.gov.uk

With its high energy environment, sophisticated shopping streets and medically advanced technologies, Marylebone is a popular area in central London that is loved by visitors and locals alike. This intense thoroughfare sits next to Regent’s Park with its rich natural heritage and charming delights chief of which is the London Zoo. Some of the most sought after attractions in the Marylebone area include Madame Tussaud’s, The Planetarium and the fictional haunt of Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street.

Because of its outstanding medical facilities, Marylebone supports several stylish residential properties. Victorian Terraces, modern homes and luxury apartments can be found in abundance in Marylebone, complimented by many stylish commercial properties. The neoclassical Wellington Arch is a major landmark in the area, while Speaker’s Corner represents a historic religious site popular in ancient times. The architecture of places like the Marble Arch is worth looking at.

With its active population, there are many great entertainment spots in Marylebone. Much activity is concentrated around places like Baker Street, which is home to the Everyman Cinema, Mansfield Street, Queen Anne Street and Wimpole Street along with Bentinck Street. You will enjoy the London Friday nights skate and one of London’s best cinemas and bar, the Curzon Mayfair. Great places to have a drink and be entertained include Coco Momo, Jetlag, Windsor Castle, Low Life and the Volunteer. Wigmore Hall is the ideal music stop while sports such as tennis, softball and netball can be enjoyed in Marylebone.

A host of great restaurants and cafes can be accessed in Marylebone and include places like Edgware Road, which has many Middle East and Lebanese restaurants. Worth trying out is the Maroush, Carluccio’s Caffè with its Italian cuisine, the French delicacies at Paul on Marylebone High Street and Giraffe, which serves International meals at welcoming prices.

Shopping is one of the most treasures past times in Marylebone. A major shopping area is Oxford Street, which literally has everything available, while Bond Street is more suitable for those with an extensive budget. Wigmore Street has interesting home furnishes and designs while Hamley’s on Regent Street is England’s largest toy store. There are fashion shops, shops for expecting mothers, cologne stores and gift shops among many others.

Marylebone also has beautiful open spaces. The most popular is the Regent’s Park while beautiful areas like Hyde Park provide exciting recreational opportunities. The annual Party in the Park event in Hyde Park is one of the largest and most thrilling events in Marylebone and London. Kensington Gardens is home to the Kensington Palace and the Albert Memorial.

Marylebone has a dense transportation network. The most reliable services can be obtained from the tube stations on Baker Street and Regent’s Park. A number of trains and tube stations serve the area, including the Marylebone, Euston Street, Edgware Road and Warren Zone tubes and the Camden Road, Euston London St Pancras and London Marylebone trains. Several buses, cabs and car hires are also available.

Marylebone is well represented by the Westminster Council which regulates upgrades and supplies services to the area. Council tax rates are quite affordable compared to other popular areas in London and range from £439 to about £1,318. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, only person lives on the property, or if you qualify for the second adult rebate.

Marylebone is home to many young professionals, wealthy doctors and medical personnel, affluent families and working class people, particularly from the middle class. Marylebone offers an enjoyable and entertaining time in a beautiful professional setting.

Relevant Links
Westminster Local Authority

Kings Cross is an attractive district in London, situated partly in Islington and Camden. The area has been extensively redeveloped to create a strong network of restaurants, shopping sites, businesses and cultural venues. There are also several nearby attractions.

Kings Cross is the proud terminus of the Eurostar rail service at St Pancras International providing services to well known countries such as France and Belgium. The main transportation areas in the district are the London Kings Cross and the London St Pancras. There is also the King’s Cross St. Pancras which is the nearest underground station to the area. Taxis and buses are also readily available. The Platform 9 3⁄4 station is a major attraction, as this is where “Harry Potter” boarded the train for Hogwarts in the hit book and TV series.

Kings Cross is managed by the Islington and Camden councils and the council tax rates in the area range from approximately £857 to £2,571 in Camden and £794 to £2,381 in those areas in Islington. Your postal code will determine who to pay your taxes and you may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, only person lives on the property or if you qualify for the second adult rebate.

The architectural beauty in the Camden area can be seen at Alexandra Road Estate, the BT Tower, The Great Court at the British Museum and the ITN building. Property types in the area include commercial lots, council house estates, flats and apartments among others.

From Kings Cross, you can experience the best of shopping and eating in both Islington and Camden. Shopping can be a very enjoyable event in Kings Cross with places such as the Brunswick Centre which caters for a wide variety of shopping itineraries. Local markets such as the Camden Lock Village Market, Electric Market, Swiss Cottage Market and the Kingsgate Community Centre Lamplight Market can also be visited.

There are also several great restaurants to sample. These include the Carrot Café, Acorn House which is very affordable, The Harris and Carluccios with its unique dishes. You can also access Italian, West Indian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese and other culturally diverse eateries in Kings Cross. The Ruby Lounge on Caledonian Road, St Chad’s Place and the Griffin Pub are nice places to have a drink.

Kings Cross offers the best opportunities for entertainment being located in two energetic districts. You can enjoy a variety of bars, pubs, clubs, theatres, cinemas and outdoor and indoor sports complexes. The Shaw and Bloomsbury Theatres are great places to experience cultural performances while the Place and Canecao are superb for night time entertainment. Cinemas such as Renoir on Brunswick Centre and Odeon Swiss Cottage with its uncommon digital projecting facilities are great places to enjoy a good show or two in Kings Cross.

Green flag awarded parks and open spaces such as the refreshing Camley Street Natural Park can also be accessed. You can take a tour of Camden’s nature reserves which include the Westbere Copse Local Nature Reserve and Adelaide Local Nature Reserve. Other noteworthy parks include Bloomsbury Square, Brunswick Square, Russell Square and St Georges Gardens among many others. Kings Cross is filled mainly with city type individuals, professionals and families from various ethnic groups.

Relevant Links
Camden Council
Islington Council

Located in North West London, Kentish Town can be found in the Camden Borough as a well developed area in the city. Kentish Town area is best known for its superb shopping and business facilities as well as its great entertainment spots. Kentish Town sits beside beautiful places such as Parliament Hill Fields, Highgate and Hampstead and is a busy residential area.

Kentish Town has several old buildings from before World War II still standing. However, most of these are drowned out by modern facades which line most streets. Large council estates and beautifully designed houses characterise the residential properties. Kentish Town also boasts some attractive Victorian houses and terraces, four storey town houses and cosy villas.

There are several high points of entertainment in Kentish Town. Its close proximity to Camden Town means there are several opportunities to enjoy an intense nightlife. There are many good pubs and bars such as Pub rock and Bull & Gate which has been known to feature entertainment by international artistes such as Coldplay. The Forum, which was a popular cinema up to the 1950′s, hosts many exciting musical events on a regular basis. For wild entertainment, adults can enjoy the famous public nudist baths known as Rio’s.

The historic pubs known as The Leighton and The Torriano can be found on Torriano Avenue which is one of the town’s most popular streets. Barrio North is a great Latin bar and at Dartmouth Bar there are some great nightly events. The Assembly House, Annies Bar and the George IV are other superb pubs in Kentish Town. Kentish Town’s restaurants include delightful places like Lalibela, the Oxford, Kiplings and Cafe Rouge. Other eateries like the Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant, the Italian Pain Vino and the Monsoon Indian Restaurant are great for dining. Delicious Mediterranean, modern European and British cuisines are also available in Kentish Town.

Kentish Town offers many wonderful options for shopping. A colourful street market can be accessed at Queen’s Crescent while Kentish Town Road has shops for all your basic needs and more. Popular shopping spots include the gift shop Fish which is owned by a notable actress, Fairfax Meadow Farms and Mayfair Gallery. There are several fashion stores and beauty salons. For an even wider variety, there are many wonderful shopping centres and stores in Camden.

The St Pancras public baths represent one of the largest indoor open spaces in Kentish Town. The baths will be reopened in 2010 with a more modern appeal. Many beautiful outdoor parks can be accessed from Kentish Town including places like Regents Park, Waterlow Park, Leighton Crescent Gardens and St. Pancras Gardens. Parliament Fields is the town’s most exciting park area with facilities such as outdoor bathing pools, tennis, bowls and a running track.

Kentish Town is well served by trains and the Kentish Town tube station. There are three London Underground and three overland railway stations in Kentish Town. The Gospel Oak, Kentish Town and Kentish Town West Trains are among the main transport links in the town. Both Camden Road Railway and Camden Town Tube stations also serve the town.

Kentish Town is managed by the Camden Council which is in charge of services in the town. Local council taxes vary according to property types and range from £857 to £2,571. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, only person lives on the property or if you qualify for the second adult rebate.

There are several different ethnic groups in Kentish Town. There are also young professional couples, many artists and creative individuals and low income families in the area. Kentish Town provides a lovely opportunity for experiencing London.

Relevant Links
Camden Council

Islington is one of London’s most popular districts in the London Borough of Islington in the UK. Historically speaking, the town was a popular place in the 17th and 18th centuries as its abundant water supplies led to the district being known as London’s vegetable centre.

Train stations, tubes and buses can be found in much abundance. The Archway is a major transport hub with a number of tube, rail and bus connections. The international rail terminus, Seven Sisters and the Northern Line at Upper Street Angel tube station serve the area. There is also Finsbury Park with its overground services, buses and pubs at the station for entertainment while you wait on your transport.

Remarkable architectural complexes such as the Archway Tower, the Victoria Miro Gallery with its impressive art exhibitions and the Parasol Unit and Crafts Council are in the area. The Kenwood building is very pleasant spot, with its fine architecture, art collections and charming lakeside environment. The property types in the district consist mainly of Victorian buildings and terraced housing which are very beautiful, and include places such as Gibson Square, Cloudsley Square and Canonbury Square. Duncan Terrace is a very prominent area, being located in close proximity to the Angel Underground Station. A number of council housing estates, flats and houses are available for rent in Islington.

Islington is well equipped with shopping areas, wonderful gastronomic delights, various places for entertainment and over 127 parks, gardens and open spaces. Stand up comedies are major highlights at the Angel Comedy Club, while the beauty of Waterlow Park is great for outdoor activities. The park is surrounded by green hills, beautiful trees, lakes and a perfumed garden. There is also a visitor’s centre, cafe, tennis courts, and children’s playgrounds. The largest park is Highbury Field with many outdoor activities available.

A few minutes from the archway is Swain Lane with its delightful cafes such as the Kalendar. A number of film and theatre events are held in the district. The Almeida Theatre is great for cultural performances while Islington hosts the exciting festival known as Rise each summer, which focuses on anti-racism. The Emirates Stadium is the venue for many football matches by the famed Arsenal Football Club.

Fonthill Road which offers a unique Asian shopping experience and the Islington High and Upper Streets are great shopping areas. Islington has a few great libraries, museums like the Arsenal Museum, Islington Museum and the British Postal Museum; sports and leisure centres such as the Ironmonger Row Baths. Several clubs, many with a cultural base, free internet access cafes and colourful Islington street markets such as the Whitecross Street Market and the Archway Market can also be visited in the area.

The area is characterised by several professional couples and families as well as a few mid range income settlers. The population consists of a number of blacks and Middle East occupants, but is dominated by native English residents.
The council tax rates in Islington are subjected to change each year based on property values. The lowest rates are from £794 moving up to the highest rate of £2,381. The Islington Council and the Camden Council, heads the local authorities and the head of the decision making process as it relates to local day to day operations in the district. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, only person lives on the property or if you qualify for the second adult rebate. The council opens each day from 8am to 8pm Mondays to Saturdays and also provides online forms for general enquiries.

Relevant Links
Camden Local Authority
Islington Local Authority

Hoxton, situated in the London Borough of Hackney, is a district with a rich wartime history and a charming English atmosphere. The area is characterised by a rich historic setting, a few open spaces and commercial sites. Hoxton has many trains and tube stations. Several tubes are located on the Old Street. Popular tubes include the Archway, Kings Cross, Tottenham Hale and Seven Sisters. Train stations include Angel Road, South Tottenham and Northumberland Park among others.

The local authority in charge of the Hoxton area is the Hackney Council. There are eight council tax rates depending on property types in the area. The lowest rate is £858 while £2,574 is charged on the highest valued properties. You may also be eligible for a reduction in council tax these reductions are applicable if you are disabled, only person lives on the property or if you qualify for the second adult rebate. Council taxes are set annually in Hoxton.

There are quite a few council housing estates in the town, Victorian style properties, businesses and a wide variety of art galleries. Luxurious town houses are also available for sale. Hoxton has several architectural sights from previous centuries. The Hoxton Hall is a major cultural stop with its ancient architecture. Hoxton Street has a plaque marking the past location of the Britannia Theatre.

The southern section of Hoxton is a lively blend of art galleries, restaurants, shops, bars and entertainment spots. The Hoxton Square, especially noted for its unique sense of fashion, is one of the most popular shopping areas in the district. The glass-topped White Cube art gallery is a notable landmark in the square. Several clothes and fashion stores can be found lining Hoxton’s streets, each with its own unique sense of style.

Hoxton has a wide variety of restaurants which flaunt many interesting themes. You can enjoy tasty cocktails amidst a trip back in time at the Old School Yard Restaurant while the envious location of the Breakfast Club on Rufus Street makes it a very sought after restaurant. Other recommended restaurants include Saf which is an organic food restaurant, Little Hanoi and the Hoxton Apprentice. Many bars can be found in the district serving all kinds of drinks.

Hoxton’s many pubs and bars create a vibrant setting for night time entertainment. Several cinemas and theatres can be accessed including Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, the City Beach Club, Mile End Genesis Cinema and Rich Mix. The Kings Hall, Britannia and Clissold leisure centres open up a world of adventure for swimming and other sports enthusiasts. Canoeing, sailing and rock climbing opportunities are also available. A great rugby pitch is available at the Shoreditch Park. You can also take advantage of Hackney’s friendly “walking together” program. Hoxton Garden is another beautiful hang out area in the district. Popular hangout spots in Hoxton include the Hackney Business Information Library for those seeking relaxing and informative environment, the 333 Mother Club, Plastic Nightclub, the Alpine Club and the Aquarium among many others.

Hoxton is home to several of London’s older residents although efforts are being made to encourage more young professionals to the area. Famous residents from the area include the political activist Charles Bradlaugh, Lenny McLean, fames the ‘hardest man in Britain”, actor Peter Dean and Jason Pierce from the Spaceman 3 and Spiritualised Bands. Hoxton is a nice way of experiencing ancient Britain.

Relevant Links
Hackney Council