Why Highbury isn’t Just a Former Football Stadium

Where is It?

Highbury is an area of North London, and is part of the London borough of Islington (known as ‘H and I’ by locals). Until 2022, there were two Highbury wards in central Islington, West and East; most of the West ward is now in the new Arsenal ward, while the East ward is now simply called Highbury.

The district gets its name from a former manor house in the area; Ranulf was the first lord of the manor. After the house decayed, a new one was built in 1271 – and, because it was built on a hill, it was called Highbury to distinguish it from its predecessor (the name means 'high fort').

This manor house was destroyed during the Peasants Revolt in 1381; the derelict site became known as Jack Straw’s Castle. Highbury House, a Georgian mansion, was built on the site in 1781. The third manor house was eventually demolished in the 1930s after it had functioned as a school for around 40 years; it is now the site of Eton House flats (on Leigh Road).

Highbury the Stadium

The name has long been synonymous with Arsenal Football Club, who moved to Highbury in 1913 from Woolwich. It took its name from the area; however, the move to all-seater stadia in the early 1990s meant the ground wasn’t big enough for the club’s needs.

When the club moved to the Emirates stadium in nearby Ashburton Grove in 2006, the crowd capacity increased from a little over 38,000 to 60,260, making it the third-largest football stadium in England. Arsenal’s original Highbury Stadium has since been converted into flats, retaining the iconic 1930s art-deco façade of the East Stand – which was a listed building.

Books and Films

However, there is a lot more to Highbury than just the name of a former football stadium. There are a number of recording studios in the district, for film, TV and music, including Wessex Studios and Highbury Studios, in Highbury New Park.

The district also gets a mention in the novels Vanity Fair (by Thackeray) and Emma (by Jane Austen) although the latter is actually a fictional Surrey village. More recently the old ground played a key role in the film The Arsenal Stadium Mystery, which was shot in 1939; and the 1997 film Fever Pitch (based on the book written by longtime Arsenal fan Nick Hornby) also used the streets around the stadium.

Current Facilities

These days Highbury is a thriving area of North London, centred around Highbury Fields, the largest open space in Islington, with plenty of sports pitches, an adventure playground and fitness centre. There are plenty of independent shops and restaurants, giving the area a 'villagey' feel even though it's in the heart of London.

For more information about schools, transport, shops and architecture, check out our information page here.

In terms of housing there is a good mix of modern apartments and flats (those at the old stadium were quickly snapped up), as well as Georgian townhouses and smaller Victorian properties (including terraced properties).

And Anthony Pepe Have an Office There

If you want to move into the area, then contact leading Highbury estate agent Anthony Pepe on 020 7704 2100. We are also a lettings agent for the Highbury area, so we can help if you are interested in renting and not just buying or selling.

It may be famous as the name of the former home of Arsenal FC, but this North London district has plenty of other facilities and claims to fame. Here Anthony Pepe, who are a leading lettings agent in Highbury, take a closer look at the area.