Back to our Parks/Green spaces series, this time focusing on the little squares and community spaces around Islington, N1.
This is a small selection of the little parks, meaning no more than 5 acres. Several green spaces appear on the maps, but are either private, fenced off, or restricted.
Starting in the North West Corner nearest Caledonian Road and Barnsbury Overground, you can find the first park on the list.
Barnsbury Wood Local Nature Reserve
We have only ventured in here once, as it is mostly filled with children running amok and breaking trees whilst parents gossiped about whoever was missing from their group (as is standard in the area), which was a shame, as it looked like a promising safe haven for birds and wildlife. It’s only open Tuesday, 2 pm to 4 pm so it’s a pretty small window, and Saturday, 2 pm to 5 pm, but this is for “Teaching”. The space itself is a former bomb site from the Second World War, so there are trees from that time period.
Animal Friendly – Only wild animals, no pets of any kind.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Wildlife Areas – It is a nature reserve when there are no children, seemingly they always seem to be there, disrupting any kind of peace to be found.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Ponds/Water Features – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Formal Gardens – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Specimen Trees/Plants – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Covered Seating Areas/Pavilions – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Paths – No, there is a desire line as it doesn’t go anywhere.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Seating and Picnic Areas – There is no Picnic area but there is a couple of wooden benches and logs around if so desired.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Playgrounds – No formal playground.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Kid’s Areas – As said above.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Sports Courts/Pitches – Nope.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Forest/Tree Walkways – The whole area is mostly covered with Trees and overgrown foliage so yes!
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Coffee Shops/Restaurant – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Toilets – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Manor Houses/Buildings – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Open Peace and Quiet – We think it was supposed to be a quiet little gem, but with all the children NO!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Bins – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Rules and Signs – There are a couple of posts outside outlining rules and a history of the place.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Quirks – It’s only open for 2 hours once a week, so I guess that’s a quirk.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
General Vibe/Aesthetic – If it were open more with fewer children, this little space may be a perfect spot to sit and bathe in nature, do some bird watching, chill out, or even meditate. Sadly, this is not the case.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Total
Rating: 1.5 out of 10.
15% out of 100
Thornhill Square Garden
To be honest, we had never really thought of Thornhill as somewhere to walk the dog, mostly because we thought it was a No Dog area, but after some research, we realized otherwise. There are two sections, one with a Church (which is strictly No Dogs) and the other side, which has a Playground but some open spaces for people and dogs alike to relax.
Animal Friendly – Yes, some sections are closed to dogs, but for the most part, it’s pretty open, though a little small.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Wildlife Areas – Not so much, there are some bug hotels and wildflowers for Bugs and Butterflies, etc.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Ponds/Water Features – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Formal Gardens – Not so much a formal garden, but some flower features are gated off
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Specimen Trees/Plants – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Covered Seating Areas/Pavilions – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Paths – Yes, there are many paths leading around to create a symmetrical layout. Towards the wooded area, it becomes a natural mulch path.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Seating and Picnic Areas – There is no Picnic area, but there are a fair number of wooden benches dotted around.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Playgrounds – Yes, a decent-sized playground and kids’ area with soft ground.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Kid’s Areas – As said above.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Sports Courts/Pitches – Nope.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Forest/Tree Walkways – Yes, the northern edge is mostly covered with Trees and overgrown foliage, but it’s not dense.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Coffee Shops/Restaurant – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Toilets – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Manor Houses/Buildings – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Open Peace and Quiet – When there are no children around, the park is actually pretty serene.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Bins – Yes, there are at least 6 bins dotted around.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Rules and Signs – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Quirks – There is normally a man really dressed up with a tophat, juggling.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
General Vibe/Aesthetic – It’s a pretty laidback park, and dogs tend to be under control. Kids tend to stay in their designated area, so it’s good.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Total
Rating: 4 out of 10.
38.5% out of 100
Thornhill Road Garden
The smaller, privately tended 120ft garden. The people are really friendly, it’s really well tended to and pretty!
Animal Friendly – Yes, Signs are around the entrances especially for dogs. There are often dogs inside and a dog bowl is maintained outside the Cafe.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Wildlife Areas – Yes, the gardens are specifically catered towards flora and fauna.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ponds/Water Features – Yes, there is a fountain right in the middle and a newly dug wildlife pond!
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Formal Gardens – The whole space is not formal, but is a well-maintained, tended garden, so yes!
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Specimen Trees/Plants – Yes, there’s even a couple of Bonsai!
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Covered Seating Areas/Pavilions – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Paths – Yes, there is a path all the way around and through the middle.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Seating and Picnic Areas – There is no Picnic area, but there are a couple of seats and tables outside the cafe and there are a fair number of wooden benches dotted around.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Playgrounds – No, thank god! If there are Kids then they are normally helping tend to the garden.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Kid’s Areas – As said above.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Sports Courts/Pitches – Nope.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Forest/Tree Walkways – There are some trees, but not a forest.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Coffee Shops/Restaurant – Yes!
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Toilets – I think so.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Manor Houses/Buildings – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Open Peace and Quiet – Yes, there are often people doing Yoga.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Bins – Yes, there are a couple for the size of the park.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Rules and Signs – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Quirks – It’s a small, almost private little oasis of calm and nature.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
General Vibe/Aesthetic – It’s a pretty laidback park, People are nice, there’s water, coffee, animals and the children are not privileged tw**s.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Total
Rating: 5 out of 10.
51.5% out of 100
Lonsdale Square garden
Not an animal-friendly park, so we don’t visit often if even more than a handful of times ever.
Animal Friendly – Absolutely Not!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Wildlife Areas – No
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Ponds/Water Features – Nope
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Formal Gardens – No, I think there might be a couple of rose bushes, but not much more than that.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Specimen Trees/Plants – Nope, there is a Cherry Blossom Tree, but that’s about it.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Covered Seating Areas/Pavilions – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Paths – Yes, there is a path through the middle.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Seating and Picnic Areas – There are no Picnic area signs now saying no sitting on the grass, too.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Playgrounds – No
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Kid’s Areas – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Sports Courts/Pitches – Nope.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Forest/Tree Walkways – There are a couple of trees but nothing more.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Coffee Shops/Restaurant – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Toilets – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Manor Houses/Buildings – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Open Peace and Quiet – I guess it can be, there’s not a lot to do, and nothing is allowed either.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Bins – Yes, one.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Rules and Signs – Yes, there is a list at the front gate.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Quirks – It feels like being in Japan.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
General Vibe/Aesthetic – A strict piece of land where you can maybe drink a coffee.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Total
Rating: 2 out of 10.
16% out of 100
Milner Square & Gibson Square
Both of these are private squares, so we cannot comment on them.
Barnsbury Square garden
A small square which is fairly peaceful.
Animal Friendly – Yes, apart from a small enclosed area!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Wildlife Areas – Yes, there is a small fenced-off area for wildlife, and there are always a lot of birds.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ponds/Water Features – Nope
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Formal Gardens – There is a formal style rose garden.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Specimen Trees/Plants – A couple.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Covered Seating Areas/Pavilions – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Paths – Yes, there is a path around the outside and through the middle.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Seating and Picnic Areas – Nope.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Playgrounds – No
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Kid’s Areas – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Sports Courts/Pitches – Nope.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Forest/Tree Walkways – There are a couple of trees spotted around the outside, but no forest area to speak of.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Coffee Shops/Restaurant – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Toilets – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Manor Houses/Buildings – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Open Peace and Quiet – Fairly quiet. There is even a bookshelf swap
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Bins – Yes, a couple
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Rules and Signs – No.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Quirks – There is often Guide dogs being trained in here.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
General Vibe/Aesthetic – It’s a smallish square, pretty quiet and a good place to rest, sit, or spend some time with your dog.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Total
Rating: 4 out of 10.
34% out of 100
Islington Green
This triangle of grass and paths sits outside Waterstones and between Upper St and Essex Road, in the heart of Angel, a popular little park for lunch breaks and coffee chats.
Animal Friendly – Yes. There are some resident animals, and it’s known for past animals, including Bob the Cat, who even has a statue dedicated to him.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Wildlife Areas – Not really, it’s a very urban park between busy roads, but you often see Sparrows, Magpies, and Parrots, as well as the occasional Squirrel.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Ponds/Water Features – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Formal Gardens – No
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Specimen Trees/Plants – No! It’s all Plane Trees
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Covered Seating Areas/Pavilions – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Paths – Yes, one big path through the centre.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Seating and Picnic Areas – There is no real Picnic area, but there is a low granite wall/step which allows people to sit and lay out food. There are two rows of wooden benches all along the path.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Playgrounds – No, it’s not that sort of park.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Kid’s Areas – As said above.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Sports Courts/Pitches – No, there is room for a Table Tennis Table, but not at the moment.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Forest/Tree Walkways – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Coffee Shops/Restaurant – Yes, there is a Kiosk/Truck at the northern end, which we have reviewed in the past and is generally pretty good.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Toilets – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Manor Houses/Buildings – No. Although it is the formal garden of the former Walton’s Music Hall, which is now Waterstones, does that count?! And there is a large Statue of Sir. Hugh Middleton at the southern end!
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Open Peace and Quiet – It is wedged between two of the busiest roads in London. But does give a little green and calm on a lunch break!
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Bins – Yes, there are bins dotted around, although they are often overflowing.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Rules and Signs – No.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Quirks – There is a large War Memorial and Diego, a massive, friendly dog, so that’s a quirk!
Rating: 3 out of 5.
General Vibe/Aesthetic – Although it’s busy and on busy roads, it does give a break and a bit of tranquility in the busy area..
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Total
Rating: 3 out of 10.
30.5% out of 100
St. Mary’s Church, Islington
The gardens and grounds of the church offer a peaceful break from the busy Upper St and a quiet cut-through to the other main road in the area.
Animal Friendly – Yes, it’s just an open churchyard. Some dogs seem to be there a lot, and there is a Water Tap with Dog Bowls.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Wildlife Areas – Not so designed to cultivate wildlife into the area, but there are birds there all the time.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Ponds/Water Features – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Formal Gardens – Yes, a small circular garden with benches around it. Nothing special! And some flowerbeds and fenced-off garden beds.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Specimen Trees/Plants – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Covered Seating Areas/Pavilions – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Paths – Yes, there are a number of paths crisscrossing the churchyard, giving access to different routes.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Seating and Picnic Areas – There is no Picnic area, but there are a fair number of wooden benches dotted around and if you really want to, you can sit on a tomb!
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Playgrounds – No, not that sort of place.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Kid’s Areas – As said above.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Sports Courts/Pitches – Nope.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Forest/Tree Walkways – No, but there are a few paths that wind and weave around the church, which are a bit random!
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Coffee Shops/Restaurant – No! But no shortage of them nearby.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Toilets – No!
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Manor Houses/Buildings – Does a massive Church count? Then yes, a lovely church it is too, if you like that sort of thing!
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Open Peace and Quiet – It’s pretty quiet away, given it’s on one of the busiest roads in London.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Bins – Yes, there are a number dotted around, but they are often overfull.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Rules and Signs – There are opening times, do’s and don’ts, and the required signs (mostly).
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Quirks – It’s got a vibe but it’s mostly just somewhere to sit – we mean, there are the Bells that sporadically start chiming!
Rating: 2 out of 5.
General Vibe/Aesthetic – It’s a nice enough little area to chill out and waste some time in.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Total
Rating: 3.5 out of 10.
35% out of 100
Well, there you go, a quick (or not) round-up of the Islington Small Parks, in case you need to know where to go for a picnic or a coffee break.
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