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.

Tattoo shop

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.

Camden stalls

Bamboo Sax

Chandelier

Camden cafe

Smoothies

Brit shop

bicycles

Recommended London Days Out: The Natural History Museum | A luxury shopping spree in Harrods | Unusual Places to Visit in London

The Stables Market

Camden isn’t one market, it is actually a collection of markets. Whether you are into vintage clothing, crafts, shoes, antiques and collectables, there are over 700 shops in The Stables Market alone.

Rearing horse

Horse

Horses

Horse head

Military memorabilia

Camden Lock

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 into 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). I’d go for the nearby hotel if you can.

Related Articles and Links

Teppanyaki culinary extravaganza in Camden by Kathryn Burrington

Other ‘London Days Out’ on Travel with Kat include Stonehenge and the City of Bath, both easy day trips from London.

 

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