Description
In 1805 the land here was a large meadow, part of which later became brick fields. Annett's Crescent was built in 1822-26 by William Burnell Hué for Thomas James Annett who had acquired the land from Thomas Scott. Apart form Charlton Crescent this is the only early crescent in the area. The three central houses were first to be built. At each end the three end houses have unusual motifs on their balconies. The garden in front was originally planted with trees around the periphery and in 1928 was described as having a low wall with iron railings, with grass and trees, much as at present. The Crescent was rehabilitated by Islington Council in the 1970s.
Practical Information
| Site location | Annett's Crescent/Essex Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N1 |
| What3Words | ///rigid.tender.blast |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Islington |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Public Transport | Rail: Essex Road. Bus: 38, 56, 73, 341, 271 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2004 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ323842 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.09 |
| Site Ownership | LB Islington |
| Site Management | Greenspace |
| Dates | 1822-26 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Surrounding terraces and attached railings |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Islington |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | CA23 |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Rail Safeguarding Area |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
New River Walk follows part of the former waterway of the New River, constructed in 1609-1613 to bring fresh water from springs in Hertfordshire to supply London's growing population. The section of the route through Islington is formed into a series of linear parks, preserved as a nature trail, although the continuous stretch of water in these gardens is actually formed by ponds landscaped to resemble the former river. It was first planted as a garden in the 1860s by the New River Company but remained open water until 1946. It was transferred to Islington Council in 1951, who undertook re-landscaping and opened the public gardens in 1954. Astey's Row Rock Gardens are at the southern end of the New River Walk where the river had been enclosed in pipes in 1892-93 when the area was built over. In the 1950s the pipes were removed and the rock gardens laid out by Vanstone's of Much Hadham. Additional re-landscaping took place in 1996-98, and the gardens were re-opened by Princess Alexandra on 18 June 1998.
Tibberton Square consists of two terraces facing each other, between which is an area of garden that was once for the communal use of the residents. The houses were built by Thomas Wontner in the grounds of his house, after the death of his wife in 1823, who he had met in Tibberton. The 'square' was closed by railings and gates, leaving a view to the south-east. In 1970 Islington Council purchased the square, which had become run-down. The houses were restored as flats and the garden was newly landscaped and levelled and new railings erected. The new scheme was opened in July 1979 at a ceremony attended by Sir Hugh Wontner, a descendent of Thomas Wontner.
The Manor of Canonbury is so-called for its one-time ownership by the Priory of St Bartholomew, dating back to Henry III's reign. The manor was purchased in 1570 by Sir John Spencer and inherited by his daughter whose husband became Earl of Northampton in 1618, and whose family continues to own the property. Canonbury Tower adjoins the main Canonbury House, and was leased separately from the 1650s and both had a number of illustrious tenants. The Tower was used as the Tower Theatre from the 1960s to 2003, and is now managed by Canonbury Tower Charitable Trust. In the small garden is a mulberry tree said to be planted in the early C17th when Sir Francis Bacon was tenant.