Things you didn't know about... Islington

Islington is known to children the world over
Where did the makers of board game Monopoly get the idea of putting Angel, Islington (the area to the south of the borough) on the map? From the coffee shop where they planned the creation of the world-famous game, according to legend.

Islington helped launch a fleet of celebs
Thanks to the famous Anna Scher Theatre, an acting school set up in the 1960s. Ex-students include many of the cast of EastEnders, such as Patsy Palmer and Gillian Taylforth, plus Kathy Burke, Dexter Fletcher and even Gary and Martin Kemp, formerly of Spandau Ballet, now actors.

Douglas Adams made it a bit more famous
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy author lived in Islington, and managed to get a couple of references into his books. For instance, Adams used the name of a local Islington estate agent—Hotblack Desiato—for the lead singer of an intergalatic rock band.

Now, where did we put that Tube station?
Beneath Islington's streets lies one of London's many disused Tube stations. Opened in 1901 but closed in 1922 due to lack of use, all that's left of City Road Tube station (on today's Northern line between Angel and Old Street) is the old brick building that housed the lift shaft.

The Blairs were part of the Islington crowd
Tony and Cherie Blair have been long-term residents of the Islington area, moving from Dalston to Highbury, then settling in at 1 Richmond Crescent, Barnsbury, Islington, before unpacking at No 10 in 1997.

It's blooming lovely in Islington
Tucked away down a side street is a very floral surprise, Culpeper Community Garden, a verdant patch started in 1982 as somewhere for local Islington children to learn about growing and caring for plants. This little-known sanctuary has pathways, ponds, vegetable plots and a picnic area, and is tended by volunteers.

Islington likes its beer healthy
The Duke of Cambridge Organic pub has been dishing up organic beer, wine and food down an Islington side street since 1998. Certified as organic by the Soil Association, everything is recycled, the soap is made out of special oil, and the building's electricity is wind and solar generated. To your good health!