Islington N1 - N7
Nearest Tube: Kings Cross/Angel

London N1
Nearest Tube: King's Cross
King's Cross is the area of London that lies just north of central London between Islington and Camden Town. Legend has it that this is the site of the battle between Boudicca and the Romans in AD60, but this is historically unsubstantiated.
For much of its history the King's Cross area was largely unpopulated and rural. But by the mid 18th century the area boasted a fashionable spa attracting hundreds of visitors each day. 
And during its early history the name of the district was Battle Bridge. But then, in1836, a monument of George IV (1820-30) was erected at the junction between Euston Road, St Pancras Road and Pentonville Road. 
This led to the name of the district being changed to King's Cross. Due to adverse public opinion, by 1845 the monument had been demolished - nevertheless, the name stuck.
The main tourist attraction is the Canal Museum located on New Wharf Road. 

Islington District
N1, N7
Nearest Tube: Angel
The district of Islington is situated just to the north of central London. For much of its history the area was rural, and it was favoured by London's wealthy merchants and even royalty - Henry VIII (1509-47) in particular liked to hunt here. 
By the 18th century the area was well known for its good farms, fresh spring water and rural attractions. It was also well known for its several schools and academies which educated many of London's middle classes.
Then in the 19th century, Islington became one of the first of London's outer districts to become industrialised. This was because the Grand Union Canal, and then the railway reached the area in the early 1800s, spurring on development.
By the 18th century the district was a popular residential district and was well known for its shops, theatres and music halls. But in the early 20th century the area went into decline.
For several decades the district had a dubious reputation and wasn't very popular. But then in the 1960s and 1970s Islington, like other areas such as Camden Town, was "rediscovered" and once again became a fashionable residential area.
Since then the district has undergone increasing gentrification, the most famous recent resident being Tony Blair. 

Canal Museum 
12-13 New Wharf Road, N1
Nearest Tube: Kings Cross
This museum is situated on the banks of the Regent's Canal near Kings Cross. It is housed in an old warehouse that dates from the 1850s when it was built by the Italian Carlo Gatti. Gatti worked on the canal for much of his life and made a fortune importing ice for his ice cream business.
The museum tells the story of Gatti and other workers who lived and worked on the canals during the Victorian era. 
The Grand Union Canal dates from the 18th century when it originally linked the canal systems of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. Over time various other canals joined the Grand Union Canal, linking canal systems all over the UK. 
Until the early 19th Century it reached as far as Paddington in London, but then the Regent's Canal section was added so that it extended all the way to Limehouse in the London Docklands. 
If you are particularly energetic, there is now a National Waterway Walk, which follows the route of the Grand Union Canal all the way from London to Birmingham at a distance of nearly 150 miles.

Regent's Canal
The Regent's Canal dates from 1820 and is part of the Grand Union Canal, which links London to various other canal systems across Britain. Previously the Grand Union Canal had reached as far as Paddington and so the Regent's Canal was added in order to extend it all the way to Limehouse in the London Docklands.
Also known as the North Metropolitan Canal, the Regent's Canal runs from Little Venice in the east, past Regent's Park to Camden Lock, where the famous Camden Market is held, and on all the way to the Docklands.
Along the way there are numerous waterside pubs and restaurants, which make up a very pretty route right through the centre of London. You can also go on various narrowboat cruises along the canal, which is a lovely way to see a hidden part of London.
On New Wharf Road, near King's Cross Station, there is a Canal Museum where you can find out more about London's canals.