If you’re thinking of living in Holloway, now is the time to move. The last decade has seen regeneration engulf London, turning once-forgotten neighbourhoods into trendy hotspots in the process. The North London area of Holloway is one of the beneficiaries of redevelopment and is now an in-demand postcode.
The N7 postcode is brimming with independent cafés, shiny new developments (including Vantage Point) and an eclectic mix of restaurants. It’s an appealing alternative to nearby Islington, Highbury and Camden.
Here are some of the best things to do and see in the area.
Things to do in Holloway
The Emirates Stadium
It’s impossible to venture into Holloway without hearing a story about Arsenal, the local Premier League football club. Their home ground, The Emirates Stadium, is a 60,000 capacity stadium located right in the heart of N7.
Watching a pulsating Premier League football match at the Emirates Stadium should be on the agenda for anyone living in Holloway. Even if you don’t like football, the stadium puts on regular events throughout the year. In the past, artists like Lionel Ritchie, Coldplay and Enrique Iglesias have all performed at The Emirates.
Find at Hornsey Rd, London N7 7AJ
Phone no: 020 7619 5003
Email: [email protected]
Follow @arsenal
The House of Illustration
You’ll find The House of Illustration just a stone’s throw away from Holloway in King’s Cross. The museum charts an array of illustrative history, from old Ladybird book illustrations to propaganda posters that impacted the course of history.
The three galleries display works from a host of illustrators from all over the world. There are also cartoons in newspapers, comic book designs and posters. Visitors can opt to take part in workshops and find their inner creativity.
Find at 2 Granary Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4BH
Phone no: 020 3696 2020
Follow @illustrationHQ
D&A Binder
If you’re living in Holloway and looking for some furniture for your new digs, head to D&A Binder. The antique shop specialises in shop fittings but has a few homely treasures in the form of mirrors, shelving units, chairs and lights.
D&A Binder has been going strong for more than 40 years and has kitted out places all over the world, including the US and Japan. Those after rustic looks will be sure to find a gem or two, whether it’s a bathroom mirror or hallway stand.
Find at 101 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LT
Phone no: 020 7609 6300
Email: [email protected]
Follow @Dand ABinder
The Odeon
A visit to The Odeon, the UK chain of cinemas, isn't usually somewhere considered to be a typically unique experience. However, Holloway's Odeon is housed inside a Grade II Listed Art Deco Picture House. It was originally built in 1932 and retained plenty of the original charm.
Not many Odeons provide movie-goers with the opportunity to watch the latest flicks in historic buildings. But Holloway’s Odeon does just that. It also happens to be the last of 10 cinemas in N7, with the last once — The Coronet — closing in 1996.
Find at 419-427 Holloway Rd, London N7 6LJ
Phone no: 0333 014 4501
Follow @odeoncinemas
The Coronet
Formerly a cinema, The Coronet was purchased by Weatherspoons in 1996 and remains part of the pub chain to this day. It's one of the grandest pub conversions in the UK and was formerly known as The Savoy in the 1940s. Back then, it was a high-end cinema that saw visits from Roger Moore, Joan Collins and Diana Dors, to name a few.
Much like the adjacent Odeon, this Wetherspoons establishment is about as fancy as they come. It retains its high ceilings and vintage charm from days gone by. Every Friday and Saturday night, The Coronet fills to capacity with locals who like to enjoy conveniently-priced drinks in a setting that has its own little slice of history.
Find at The Coronet, 338-346 Holloway Road, N7 6NJ
Phone no: 020 7609 5014
Places to eat and drink in Holloway
500 Restaurant
Italian cuisine doesn’t come much snazzier than 500 Restaurant, where a chef from the Jamie Oliver stable is running the kitchen. The bare-table decor creates an aura of style, while the menu backs up the aesthetics with mouth-watering Italian dishes.
Opened in 2008, many saw 500 Restaurant as the beginning of a new era in Holloway. Back then, there was almost a two-week wait for a table. Today, securing a spot at the restaurant is more straightforward, but the food is just as good as when it first opened.
Find at 782 Holloway Rd, Upper Holloway, London N19 3JH
Phone no: 020 7272 3406
Follow @500restaurant
The Lamb
As far as watering holes go, The Lamb is a solid option for your next local. The pub combines Irish charm with local spirits. Try a locally brewed Hammerton N7 IPA while kicking back and listening to a collection of Irish folk hits.
There are plenty of craft beers and ales on offer, not to mention a regular quiz night for those who want to test their general knowledge. The Lamb has been a staple of Holloway ever since it first opened as a purpose-built boozer back in 1870.
Find at The Lamb, 54 Holloway Road, London N7 8JL
Phone no: 020 7619 9187
Follow @thelambpub
The Spoke
The Spoke is a cycle-themed cafe on Holloway Road. However, you don’t have to be a bicycling expert to enjoy the great grub on offer. The pub conversion makes some of the best burgers in N7 and is a firm favourite with locals and those from further afield.
The open kitchen, where you can see those tasty burgers cooking, is the centrepiece of The Spoke. The coffee is also highly sought-after at the cycle-themed restaurant where there’s a distinct lack of bike workshops and, well, cycles.
Find at 710 Holloway Rd, Archway, London N19 3NH
Phone no: 020 7263 4445
Email: [email protected]
Follow @thespoke710
Living in Holloway
Holloway has cemented itself as a bustling neighbourhood with plenty of local charm. Convenient travel links (there are six tube lines all within walking distance) only add to the area’s appeal, as does its position close to other popular postcodes. Living in Holloway is the smart choice for many who value the community spirit just a few miles from central London.
Do you have any Holloway hotspots? Let us know by tweeting @EssLiving.
