I’m listing ten interesting things to do in Camden, London NW1. I wrote my first post about Camden in September 2015, and it was out of date, so I’ve been back to take new pictures and rewrite my article. What’s changed is that Camden Market looks much smarter with better street food huts and outdoor dining pods. Buck Street Market is a shipping container dining and shopping experience with a sustainable focus. Hawley Wharf Camden is a sophisticated canal-side development with eateries, shopping and a cinema. Planted based food has a strong presence throughout Camden, from the markets to the restaurants on surrounding streets. Some things haven’t changed, including the crazy shop fronts, the crowds and the abundance of music venues and pubs. Camden Town is gritty and rough around the edges, but it’s evolving with smarter options like Hawley Wharf. You’ll still find goths, rockers and punks mingling with tourists and the locals going about their chores. Camden reminds me of Harajuku in Japan, and if you’ve been there, you’ll know what I mean! If you love street food, markets, music and crowds, you’ll enjoy your visit.
Camden Lock
Ten Things To Do In Camden List
10 Things to do in Camden List
- Browse the sprawling and eclectic stalls at Camden Market
- Feast on street food at Camden Market for lunch
- Feel good by eating sustainable food and buying ethical fashion at Buck Street Market
- Socialise at the sophisticated canal-side Hawley Wharf Camden Development
- Take a canal boat ride or stroll along Regent’s Canal
- Enjoy a few drinks and a live gig
- Marvel at the unique Camden High Street shop fronts
- Admire Camden’s mix of old and new architecture
- Have your photograph taken next to the Amy Winehouse statue
- Discover Jewish history and culture in Britain at the Jewish Museum
My List of Ten Interesting Things To Do In Camden
1. Browsing around the sprawling Camden Market is a beautiful way to spend a sunny afternoon. The market dates back to 1974 and has undergone several makeovers. It is set inside the historic Pickfords stables with different areas, so make sure you take your time to explore every nook and cranny. You’re in for a treat because you’ll find an eclectic mix of stalls and shops selling everything from clothing to shoes, trainers, hats, jewellery, leather goods, retro signs, art, antiques, and the obligatory Nag Champa incense sticks. Many items are handcrafted, original and unique. The market is open seven days a week from 10 am until 7 pm at Camden Lock Place, London NW1 8AF.
Check out Cyber Dog, the trance music and cyber clothing and accessory shop and Dr Martens showroom.
2. Camden Market has an abundance of street food along with restaurants, cafes and bars. All your food cravings are catered for from Kosher Lebanese Wraps to Korean Hot Dogs, Hawaiian Poké Bowls and Argentinian Smoked Steak. If it’s raining, you can eat your food in one of the pods.
3. Eat sustainable food and buy ethical fashion at Buck Street Market, set inside recycled shipping containers. It’s the UK’s first dedicated market for the conscious consumer where you can eat sustainable, vegan and veggie food from places like Clean Kitchen or Bad Vegan and buy ethical fashion. The market has a zero-single use plastic policy and composts all food waste. It is open seven days a week from 11 am until 7 pm at 180-188 Camden High Street.
4. Socialise at the sophisticated canal-side development, Hawley Wharf Camden. The stunning new 550,000 square feet development includes restaurants, cafes, retail stores and entertainment venues, including a Curzon Cinema along with apartments and workspaces. It’s a relaxing haven from the chaotic markets and busy streets of Camden. The Spread Market (farmers and artisan food and drink producers) is there at the weekend from 10 am until 5 pm. The address is Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AA.
5. Take a canal boat ride or stroll along Regent’s Canal. Hop on the Jenny Wren canal boat where you can rise in the lock at Camden and explore the areas of London Zoo, Regents Park and Little Venice in a barge. Walking along Regent’s Canal is lovely; it runs from Little Venice to Limehouse Basin. Read my Regent’s Canal Walk feature for more information.
Take a padlock with you and secure it to the railings near the Jenny Wren at Camden Lock along with the other Love Locks!
6. Enjoy a few drinks and a live event. Camden is London’s destination for big boozers (pubs), gigs, live music and performances. I’ll mention a few of these venues; The Roundhouse is a live performance space for music, theatre, circus and spoken word. Powerhaus (previously Dingwalls) is a music venue in Camden Market overlooking the canal. On Camden High Street is The Underworld alternative music venue with gigs and club nights, Electric Ballroom club nights and live gigs and the Blues Kitchen serving Texan BBQ, rare bourbon with live rhythm and blues. The Jazz Café on Parkway is well worth a visit if you love jazz. There are so many pubs in the area, and if you’re an Amy Winehouse fan, you should seek out The Hawley Arms. Goths and punks may prefer The Black Heart at Greenland Place.
7. Marvel at the unique Camden High Street shop fronts. As you walk along the street leading to the various markets, you can admire the crazy 3-D shop front designs. These include bright and bold designs from dragons to scorpions, elephants, angels, trainers and boots. It’s a bit tacky, but it’s synonymous with Camden, and the tourists love taking pictures.
8. Admire the fantastic architecture in Camden. My favourites include the Victorian Camden Market stables/Market Hall, Art Deco Carreras Cigarette Factory with Egyptian Revival architecture, St Martin’s in the Fields Almshouses built 1817-18, the pretty pastel-painted Victorian terraces houses along Hartland Road and the bright colour modern MTV building.
9. Have your photograph taken next to Amy Winehouse statue, a life-size memorial bronze statue of Amy at Stables Market in Camden. The sculpture is by Scott Eaton, which shows the singer with a red flower tucked in her famous beehive hairdo. It was unveiled on what would have been the singer’s 31st birthday. Her father said that Amy “was in love with Camden,” and her fans associate the district with her. It’s an important memorial to a fantastic artist who tragically passed away at a young age. If you wander around Camden, you will see street art tributes to Amy.
10. While you’re in the area, visit the unique Jewish Museum. It showcases the vibrancy of Jewish history and culture in Britain. You can see some interesting films, photographs and objects along with a recreation of an East End London street. They also have a kosher café and shop on the premises. You’ll find this located at 129-131 Albert Street, NW1 7NB.
Camden London Information
You can reach Camden Town by travelling to Camden Town Tube on the Northern Line. Mornington Crescent on the Northern Line and Camden Road station on the Overground line are other options.
Make sure you plan to eat lunch or dinner into your visit. I stopped at Neat Burger for a Vegan Burger and Fries.
I finished with a Carmel Filled Churro at Churros London.
If you want to explore nearby and get a taste of upmarket London, you are very close to Regent’s Park and London Zoo. If you head up Chalk Farm Road and past the Roundhouse, you can visit Primrose Hill, which has a smattering of independent boutique shops and lovely little eateries. The Hill itself gives you a great view over London and connects with Regent’s Park. Read my Pretty Primrose Hill London Guide for more information. I hope you enjoy your visit.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.
