Amwell Street is near Sadler's Wells Theatre and not far from King's Cross Station. It is at the heart of the Amwell area. Six busy roads - King's Cross Road, Farringdon Road, Rosebery Avenue, St. John's Street, Pentonville Road and Penton Rise - form the boundary of the area which is comparatively little known yet full of character and with links to the past. A high proportion of the houses and other buildings are 'listed'. This means that they are protected by law and changes to them are subject to rigorous planning processes. English Heritage and the London Borough of Islington [LBI] are responsible for the listing and planning processes and for maintaining the conservation area. Thus the Amwell Society works closely with officers from both organisations.
This part of London was a country district at the end of the 18th century. Its green meadows, once used for archery practice, were some of the highest ground adjacent to the City of London. Here were located the New River Head and a pleasure garden and theatre which became known as Sadler's Wells.
