Gibson Square Park

Yes, I’m reviewing yet another square… well there are a lot of them around, and I’ve recently been exploring them, often with dogs.

I had to include this one, as in many ways it’s an archetypal garden square, and also beautifully kept. It’s down a back street between Upper Street and Liverpool Street, so free from through traffic. Surrounded by grand (Georgian?) houses. The gardens at the centre have iron railings and hedging. Inside they include a strange, but quite pretty building I did theorise was probably a gardener’s shed (there’s usually one…) but apparently it’s a ventilation shaft for the Victoria Line. There are also some superb gardens with a variety of paths, borders and little lawns.

When giving 5 stars one of the criterion I usually use is that a reasonable number of average people would want to travel to see it. I’m not sure that any square would fulfil that (though promoters of Trafalgar Square might argue, really, would anyone book a coach trip JUST to see Trafalgar Square?). However in this case I decided that this one, because it’s both an archetype and very well kept, deserved that mark of distinction compared to other squares. I wouldn’t recommend anyone to travel to see it, but, should you be interested in Islington’s squares, this one is a good one to include on your list.

If you’d like to live there you’d need to be just slightly rich… Read the Islington Gazzette story on the Millionaire Square. Apparently the houses are worth 7 times the produce of an entire country.

Nice little park well situated close to upper street and the n1 centre. Perfect to sit in and relax on a sunny day after shopping. Well looked after flower beds and treees make this a perfect picnic spot. Beware it does close quite early so don’t leave it too late.