The smell hits you first: sizzling noodles, spiced curries, smoky barbecue, fresh churros and strong coffee, all mingling in the air beside a canal. Narrow boats painted in bright colours are moored by the lock, and crowds spill over a bridge towards a maze of stalls selling vintage leather jackets, handmade jewellery, vinyl records and band T-shirts. Shopfronts on the high street are decorated with giant sculptures of boots, dragons and aeroplanes. Somewhere, a busker plays guitar. This is Camden, one of London's most colourful neighbourhoods.
Camden Market, in north London, is a sprawling collection of markets beside the Regent's Canal, famous for street food, alternative fashion and music history. This guide explains its story and how to explore it.
A canal and a working neighbourhood
The Regent's Canal, opened in the 1820s, made Camden an industrial area of wharves, warehouses and stables, where horses pulled barges along the towpath and goods were transferred between the canal and the railway. As the canal's commercial traffic declined in the 20th century, many buildings fell empty.
The birth of the market
In 1974, a small weekend craft market opened in the yard beside Camden Lock. It quickly grew in popularity, attracting artists, designers and young people looking for something different. Over the following decades, the market spread into neighbouring buildings and yards, and Camden became a centre of alternative culture, associated with punk, goth and other music and fashion scenes.
The Stables Market
The Stables Market occupies the former stables and horse hospital that once served the horses working on the railway and canal. Its brick arches, cobbled lanes and old tunnels, known as the Catacombs, are now full of shops selling vintage clothing, furniture, crafts and curiosities. Bronze horse sculptures recall its past.
Street food
Food is one of Camden's biggest attractions. Dozens of stalls serve dishes from all over the world, from Thai, Indian and Ethiopian food to burgers, dumplings, pizzas and vegan specialities. It's a great place to graze, trying a little of everything.
Music and Amy Winehouse
Camden has a legendary music history. Venues such as the Roundhouse, the Electric Ballroom and the Jazz Café have hosted famous bands and artists. The singer Amy Winehouse lived in Camden and was a regular in its pubs, and after her death in 2011, a bronze statue of her was unveiled in the Stables Market in 2014.
Canal walks and boat trips
From Camden Lock, the towpath of the Regent's Canal offers a peaceful walk west to Little Venice, past Regent's Park and London Zoo, or east towards King's Cross. Waterbuses also run along the canal between Camden and Little Venice in season.
Things not to miss
- ✓Try street food from around the world by the canal.
- ✓Explore the Stables Market and its tunnels.
- ✓See the Amy Winehouse statue.
- ✓Browse vintage clothing and records.
- ✓Walk or take a waterbus along the Regent's Canal to Little Venice.
- ✓Climb Primrose Hill nearby for a view over London.
How to get there
Camden Town and Chalk Farm tube stations, on the Northern line, are a short walk from the markets. Camden Road Overground station is also nearby. On busy weekends, some stations may operate restrictions, so allow extra time.
Best time to visit
The markets are open daily, with the most stalls at weekends, when it's also extremely crowded. Weekday mornings are calmer for browsing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden Market open every day? Yes, though weekends are busiest.
Is it free? Yes, entry is free.
How long should I spend there? Two to four hours.
Sit by the canal with a plate of street food as the narrow boats glide past and music drifts from the stalls, and you'll feel the creative, rebellious spirit that has made Camden a London legend.
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