Camden Passage, Islington

You are walking along a narrow, pedestrianized path that began its life in 1767. It was originally laid out as a service alley running behind the prestigious houses facing onto Upper Street. At that time, this space was essentially a collection of smaller alleys known by names like Cumberland Row and Pierrepont Row, serving as the quiet, utilitarian backbone for the main road. The name Camden Passage did not appear until the 1800s, borrowing a title from the nearby Camden Street which had been named to honor Charles Pratt, the first Earl Camden and a celebrated Chief Justice of the eighteenth century.