It’s time for some rock and roll, and there’s no better place to feel the energy and bohemian vibes than Camden Town located in north London.
With thumping music, bustling markets and sizzling street food, Camden draws people from all walks of life – goths, punks and tourists alike – with its eccentric charms and lively atmosphere. A life is definitely less ordinary in London’s north west.
Camden is easily one of the my favourite places in London, its really unique and different, and an essential place to visit if you are going to be visiting London for the first time.
When in Camden (and only in Camden) these cool places not to be missed:
Morning – Camden Market
Camden gets busy, even on weekdays so if you want to experience the highlights its best to start early and avoid the crowds.
The Camden Markets are probably what this area is most famous for. The collective name given to the many local stalls, together they make up the biggest street market in Europe and have evolved into one of the capital’s most popular attractions.
If you’re travelling by tube to Camden Station, you’ll find Buck Street Market is the first you come to. This has everything from weird and wonderful jewellery to slogan-heavy t-shirts, and it is generally where you’ll find a lot of the lower-priced clothes and such.
Walk down the street a little further until you reach the railway bridge and you will come to Camden Lock Market. Here, you can peruse stalls selling everything from tasty Thai food and delicious fresh doughnuts to unique jewellery, crafts and clothes.
Camden Canal Market, Camden Stables Market and Inverness Street Market make up the remainder of the famous Camden Markets group.
Explore the colourful labyrinth of Camden Market, but be prepared get lost within its 1000+ stores, stalls, cafes and bars. Buzzing since its inception as an arts and crafts market in 1972, the market is housed at a former warehouse and stables site on the tranquil Regent’s Canal.
From kooky threads to peculiar art pieces, vintage finds to pop culture souvenirs, this is a place where you can find just about anything and everything – just make sure you find your way out!
The newly revamped Camden Lock Markets brings all the glitz and glamour to the street food scene, with over 35 quirky street food vendors to choose from.
There are so many really tasty street food stalls, grab yourself something to eat for cheap prices. Perhaps a French-inspired beef bourguignon cheeseburger (Nourriture pour l’âme!) tickles your fancy, or a chicken tikka marsala, tightly wrapped in oven-cooked roti bread? A flavour trip around the world doesn’t have to cost you the earth, with most eats available for under ten quid.
Afternoon – Primrose Hill
All shopped out after Camden Market? Time for some relaxation.
Take a moment to breathe and take in the ‘down the rabbit hole’ effect of Camden. London’s most famous hill is only moments away from the hustle and bustle of Camden Town, where locals come to relax and soak up the spectacular views of London.
Admire the beautiful and super expensive houses not he short walk from Camden high streets and try to spot the odd celebrity.
The grassy Primrose hill is closely located close to Regent’s Park and ZSL London Zoo. Primrose Hill offers one of the best free places to see the amazing London skyline, and weather permitting, it is a great place to grab a blanket, some food and spend an afternoon relaxing.
Dinner
Also having a great reputation for food, Camden is a great place to go if you like trying new flavours and culinary experiences. There’s everything from fairly high-end restaurants and ice cream parlours to small stalls and chains, which means is a real mix of things to sample.
If you’re looking for somewhere for a nice meal out – or if you love burgers – one of the best places to call in at is Hache. Well known for its Gallic twist on the American burger, this restaurant is a real treat, with a great range of sides and delicious milkshakes too. It’s also got a lovely decor – a lot of dark wood and chandeliers – which gives it a nice, intimate atmosphere.
Alternatively, those with a sweet tooth should head to Chin Chin Laboratorists – one of the town’s more unusual eateries. Here, you can buy ice cream in a host of incredible flavours and, when you have placed your order, it will be fast frozen with liquid nitrogen before your very eyes. The flavours change weekly, and there are lots of interesting toppings you can choose from, including salted caramel sauce and bacon sugar shards.
Evening – Hawley Arms
Camden is famous for bars and clubs, so you’ve got to make the most of the entertainment and nightlife.
Located a few steps away from Camden Lock, The Hawley Arms has been a hit with beer drinkers, pie lovers and board gamers alike for over ten years.
It’s most famously known as the late Amy Winehouse’s favoured pub; she was a frequent visitor and performed at the pub numerous times.
Get a true taste of British culture by stabbing your fork into pub-favourite beer-battered fish and chips while sipping on locally brewed ale. With its two bars, lovely roof top terrace, jukebox, patio and celebrated wall of visiting celebrities, this pub allows you to revel in the best of Camden’s fork and sinkhole culture.
Night – Live Music
Another thing Camden is celebrated for is its live music. The town has a long history of hosting exciting up-and-coming bands, which have since turned into names known the world over. So, if you decide to go to a gig or two here, you have the chance to see the next big thing – and often it will be fairly low-cost, too.
Among the most famous venues is the Barfly, the upstairs room of which has previously hosted acts including The Vines, Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads when they were breaking into the industry. The Roundhouse on Chalk Farm Road, meanwhile, is another staple for live music aficionados, while The Underworld – which sprawls underneath Camden High Street – is a safe bet for metal fans.
The cream of the crop when it comes to rock and roll is a visit to the renowned Roundhouse. Labelled as one of the best live music venues in London, this beautifully restored building dates back to 1847 and was originally established as a maintenance and storing goods centre for London’s rail.
Fast-forward to the 1960s and it was revamped as a cultural haven supporting the arts and providing a platform for live music; one of the first musical acts to grace the stage was a little-known band called Pink Floyd.
These days the Roundhouse mixes old with new, showcasing the remains of its former past while expanding its space to further encourage the arts with multiple performance areas. If you’re a diehard music fan, catching a show here is not to be missed!
Go Visit Camden
If you are planning to visit London for the first time you really need to visit Camden or spend a day here if you want to see a little of London’s alternative side.
I hope my guide to the best places to visit in Camden has given you some ideas for what to do.
If you also love Camden and have any recommendations for places I’ve missed, bars, restaurants or anything, let me know.
