Angel 

The Angel (in Islington) is an extremely popular area just to the North East of London City. At least that's what everyone says, for The Angel (more commonly known as simply "Angel" nowadays) is an informal name and as such clear boundaries for where this area supposedly starts and ends are not and cannot be set. One thing is for sure though, and that is where the heart of this imaginary district is, for the name comes from a building which was once an inn, and appears in writings as far back as Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Speeding up to the present, Angel is another one of those areas of London that is enjoying itself as a trendy hub for upmarket arts and culture. Popular with the "young folk", the area has a very bohemian feel to it and there are a fair few small theatres around (along with the rather larger and mainstream Almeida Theatre). It also has a large antiques presence, having it's own Antiques Quarter, and it certainly won't disappoint anyone looking for all things rare and vintage. The antiques quarter is one of the most beautiful parts of the area, with traditional and old-fashioned narrow back-streets (cut off from traffic) with these quaint little shops lining your walkway. On certain days of the week, you'll also find small antiques fairs and markets spilling out of their permanently designated concrete stages. As you may now imagine, moving away from the independent boutiques to the high street, you have a fair range of shops providing big name fashion stores, while buried in more side streets you'll find plenty more independents offering bargains on all sorts, and not forgetting the market all the way up the appropriately named Chapel Market road. For your entertainment pleasure (and a few more shops) the N1 Centre (taking it's name from the local postcode) is at your disposal, boasting a magnificent piece of contemporary sculpture resembling a pair of Angel's wings - of course. The popularity Angel enjoys during the day certainly doesn't waver when the sun goes down and the lights come on, being a hot spot for the young and trendy wanting up class wine bars, funky cocktail bars and a broad selection of pubs and restaurants... certainly enough to tempt any good Angel to fall, or at least make that halo crooked.