Camden is one of my favourite parts of London. Full of life throughout the day and late into the night there’s plenty to see and do there whether you’re looking for interesting shops, great inexpensive restaurants, lively pubs, superb live music or simply fancy a spot of people watching.
Camden’s Markets
It is also home to London’s most famous open air market but if the weather is not so great there is plenty undercover too. There’s also plenty for me to photograph so in between exploring all the fascinating shops and stalls I snap away with my camera. I love it here and have bought everything from Turkish lamps to African jewellery to Indian mobile phone pouches! It’s the one place in England where I turn into a shopaholic.
The Stables Market
Camden isn’t one market, it is actually a collection of a markets. Whether you are into vintage clothing, crafts, shoes, antiques and collectables, there are over 700 shops in the Stables market alone.
Camden Lock
In the heart of the Camden markets you’ll find Camden Lock from where you can start a picturesque walk along the canals or you can hop on a narrow boat with the London Waterbus Company. Their ‘buses’ run along Regent’s Canal linking Little Venice, Regent’s Park and London Zoo with Camden Lock.
Getting there
The easiest way to get there is by the underground (metro). From central London join the Northern Line heading north. You don’t need to worry which branch you are joining as both stop at Camden Town. Exit the tube station on Camden High Street and turn right (heading north-west up Camden High Street) passing the Electric Ballroom on your right. The most interesting markets are a few minutes walk along this road just the other side of the canal on the left-hand side of the street.
Camden Nightlife
While Camden is a wonderful place to visit for a day out, if you want to take advantage of everything this vibrant part of town has to offer you will have to stay on in to the evening. Enjoy one of the many splendid restaurants then check out the live music scene for which the area is famous. Many of the gigs go on in to the early hours, long after the last tube has stopped running, so you will either need to have booked into a hotel within walking distance, pay out for an expensive taxi ride or use the night buses (which I have found to be unreliable). There are reams of hotels to choose from. When considering hotel booking in London, a high priority for me would be a hotel’s proximity to the evening venues I was interested in.
Related Articles and Links
Teppanyaki culinary extravaganza in Camden by Kathryn Burrington
For more information on all Camden Town has to offer as well as further ‘London Days Out’ ideas visit Time Out London.
Other ‘London Days Out’ on Travel with Kat include Stonehenge and the City of Bath, both easy day trips from London.
I love to wander through Camden Lock and when I get to the food stalls, I can never decide what I’m going to have
Often, when we have some time left, it’s Camden we head to.
Sofie recently posted..In search of the light: ‘Couleur Local’ in Senegal
Oh yes I know just what you mean about the food stalls!
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..Travel photography competition
Hi Kathryn, thanks for this post, I visit London few times a year but I have never been to Camden Market! After your pretty photos I’ll come to see it in my next visit
Jan Goldsmith ( recently posted..How to be Warm in Cold Winter Months
Yes, do check out next time your in London. I love Camden and I hope you will too.
As usual, no words are really required because the photography alone draws me in! Definitely added to my list! Also looks like a nice day and tugs at my spring fever trigger.
Thanks Leslyn. Glad you enjoyed my photos. Hope you get to visit sometime.
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..London Days Out: Camden’s Markets
Great pictures! You wouldn’t run out of things to see and do here…
Thanks Meg. I love it and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a part two to this photo essay at some point.
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..London Days Out: Camden’s Markets
I haven’t been to Camden Market for years – I worked right on the canal for a while in a job I hated and the crowds used to drive me mad getting to work. So I don’t have the best associations with the place and I usually head off straight down the canals if I’m in the area. You’re photos are selling it to me though and it might be time to give it another chance!
Lucy recently posted..Travel plans for 2013 (part 1)
While it had always been busy when I’ve been there I’ve never found it overcrowded, although I guess I’ve never been in a hurry to get somewhere. I do hope you go back there sometime and you never know, you might just fall in love with it like I have!
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..Travel Blogs to Follow in 2013
I haven’t been for a while, but it certainly has a great buzz to it, Kat, and I love the proximity to the canal network.
Johanna Bradley recently posted..Two by Two
Hi Jo, I need to do some further exploration (and photography) of the canals! Watch this space (although I might wait until Spring).
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..London Days Out: Camden’s Markets
Am almost ashamed to admit I haven’t visited Camden Market yet! Lovely vibrant shots.
Suzanne recently posted..My 2012 in Pictures
Oh Suzanne!! You’d love it. If you ever fancy a guided tour just let me know. We could see how far around the world we could eat (See Ship’s Cook comment!)
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..London Days Out: Camden’s Markets
You can certainly eat your way around the world at camden Lock
Ship’s Cook recently posted..Mexico 2012 – Anole Lizard
You most certainly could and I’m on the case!
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..London at Christmas
Wonderful photos. London is on my short list of possible trips this year. I’ll have to check out Camden when I go there again.
Ross recently posted..Found Money
Thanks Ross. Do check it out. I’m sure you’d enjoy it.
Have to agree with you here Kat, Camden is one of my favourite parts of London. That and Brick Lane, which probably says a lot about me as a person.
Chris Maskell recently posted..2012 in review
You and me both. Been meaning to write this post for ages and I’ve a similar post about Brick Lane tucked up my sleeve somewhere too! Happy New Year.
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..London at Christmas
Very cool…love the building for the stables market.
Anita Mac recently posted..Monday Morning Series: Winter Wonderland
I love it there
Kathryn Burrington recently posted..London Days Out: Camden’s Markets