Living over the Hackney Brook
A river, the Hackney Brook, is believed to run below Northview.
The course of the Hackney Brook below Northview was traced by comparing maps from 1740 and 1848 and following communication with an engineer who worked on watercourse diversion for the St Pancras redevelopment.
A comparison of maps dated 1740 and 1848 indicates that Hackney Brook runs under Northview.
The map of 1740, showing the river’s course – tinted blue – has been superimposed with the 1848 map showing roads that were built later, such as Parkhurst Road and Tufnell Park Road, as well as buildings and where the river had been covered. The map here is approximate.
The river is believed to be the cause of a collapse of Holloway Road outside Barclays Bank some years ago.
It has also been blamed for movement in the buildings at Northview.
A moat and a fountain
Other signs that water was nearby include a 19th century map showing a fountain near the site of back block, and the well-documented moated medieval manor house, which was approximately where the Holloway Odeon is now. Romans settled by rivers, and it is believed that there was a Roman settlement where Barclays Bank is.
After running below where Northview is now, the brook ran along Holloway Road. It fed the lakes in Clissold Park, before finally flowing into into the River Lea.
Northview’s part of river was made part of London’s sewerage system by Joseph Bazalgette in the 19th century.
The Hackney Brook rises in two places in Holloway – one, shown on the 1740 map, is Mercers Road, and this is fairly well documented. No records confirm the site of the other spring, but local anecdotal evidence points to this being at the rear of 6 Dalmeny Road in Tufnell Park.
While the presence of the river does not relate directly to local listing, it does affect any planning or building proposed for the site in that the buildings may not be able to carry further weight, especially given that this area, like most of Islington, is made of London blue clay.
Home: Northview – a rare survivor of its time
Northview’s architecture – an enclave with deco features
A 1930s corner of Holloway – group value
It started with a Nissen hut … stop architectural vandalism