Finsbury Town Hall

Finsbury Town Hall is a municipal building in Islington featuring an asymmetrical nine-bay frontage with a central cast iron porch and a projecting clock on Rosebery Avenue. The structure now houses a performing arts college while serving as an approved wedding venue.

Construction began in 1894 with a design following Flemish Renaissance Revival style, replacing an earlier vestry hall that was famously one of London's smallest municipal buildings. This replacement marked a significant expansion in the town's civic infrastructure.

The great hall showcases the Clerkenwell Angels sculptures, which hold brass light fittings and demonstrate how practical objects received artistic attention. These decorative elements reflect the craftsmanship valued in the building's design.

The building stands on Rosebery Avenue and is easily identified by its projecting clock and prominent cast iron porch. Access for viewing requires advance arrangement since the structure now operates as an educational institution.

During World War II, an air raid shelter and control center were built underground directly beneath the building and connected from within. This hidden bunker served local authorities and residents during bombing campaigns.

Location: London Borough of Islington

GPS coordinates: 51.52700,-0.10798

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01