CAMDEN TOWN

Camden Town is one of my favourite places in London. The moment you step outside the tube station,

Camden attacks the senses. Bass thumps from the market stalls' speakers, the scent of street food

and incense permeates the air, and goths, punks, pushers and tourists shove past, giving the area an

unorthodox charm. Come to Camden for the atmosphere, but stay for the cheap restaurants and

awesome live music scene. It is absolutely buzzing with life and culture and every street has its own

little surprise. When you leave the tube station you step out into the main shopping street. Nothing

too fancy here, just your usual retail outlets. But as you head east down the street, more and more

little niche shops begin to appear. The further you walk, the heavier the punk influence becomes. But

don’t fear. It does not rule the street; the once prominent punk scene is slowly being taken over by

the underground music scene of today. Amateur hip hop artists stand on corners selling their newest

tracks whilst smaller shops selling trendy clothing are popping up around the streets.

But it’s the market place that earns top marks. The market is filled with little boutiques and food

shops selling any and every type of food you could possibly want. The best part being that on a good

day you don’t even need to buy lunch as each food vendor offers samples. After six samples you’ve

essentially had lunch!

However my favourite moment in Camden wasn’t buying knickknacks from a hippy holding a rabbit the

size of a small dog, or stuffing my face with the biggest burrito I’ve ever seen. Nor was it drinking a

few pints in the very pub favoured by the irreplaceable Amy Winehouse. It was the afternoon spent on

a snowy winter’s day in February outside a small shisha bar above the Stables Market that is my

most prized memory. I sat outside the bar with one of my closest friends for almost 2 hours,

watching the heavy snow fall across the market, reminiscing about times past whilst sharing our latest

tales of travel.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN CAMDEN TOWNWhether you're a rocker, cool kid, metalhead, hippy, vintage queen or muso (person obsessed with music), you'll find something to delight you in this fun part of North London. Enjoy!

1. Shopping

If you love Camden chances are you love shopping! Take the Tube to Camden Town, then head north along Camden High Street past stores selling Doc Martins, goth and punk clothing, body piercings, tattoos and more. Allow yourself a few hours to explore the extensive Camden markets. Top tip: Don't miss the futuristic styles of Cyberdog.

CYBERDOG FRONT INSIDE CYBERDOG

2. Vintage

Camden is one of the top places in London for vintage gear. In Stables Market you'll find stores and stalls selling new and second hand clothes, shoes, accessories, homewares, posters, furniture and music on vinyl. There's also lots of new, retro-style stuff, plus vintage-style hairdressers and beauticians (try Dappa Boutique on Chalk Farm Road).

STABLES MARKET VINTAGE CLOTHES STALL

3. Pubs

There are loads of great pubs in Camden. Chill at the Hawley Arms or The Lock Tavern; rock with the rockabillies at The Elephant's Head; kick on until way past your bedtime at The Good Mixer; hobnob with emos and metalheads at the Hobgoblin; or drink a toast in the Spread Eagle just off Parkway.

THE LOCK TAVERN

4. Live music

From Pink Floyd and The Doors, to Madness, Blur and Amy Winehouse, Camden was and is one of the most happening places for live music in London. Catch world-famous acts or the Next Big Thing at The Roundhouse, Dingwalls and The Dublin Castle. Try Underworld for metal and The Jazz Cafe for jazz, blues and retro.

5. Nightlife

As well as Camden's wide selection of pubs, and live music venues, there's plenty of fantastic bars and clubs. Barfly is great for a late night boogie, Proud Camden's quirky setting attracts a hipster vibe, Koko hosts everything from bands to burlesque, plus there's plenty of boutique taverns and cocktail bars. Try The Foundry, Fifty Five and The Black Heart.

6. The Canal

A visit to this area is not complete without spending some time along Regent's Canal, which runs through the heart of Camden and the markets. From the picturesque Camden Lock you can take a boat tour to Little Venice (and back, naturally).

CAMDEN LOCK BUILDING CAMDEN LOCK - BARGE

7. Eating

You'll get the world on a plate in Camden. Find fab cheap eats at Camden Lock Market, get your BBQ meat fix at Q Grill or Shaka Zulu, kick it up a notch at the Gordon Ramsay's York & Albany, or experience a crazy cornucopia of pan-Asian delights at Gilgamesh. Top tip: Be a Brit, eat fish and chips at Poppies.

CAMDEN FOOD STALLS

8. People

Camden is ideal for people-watching – from the colourful characters on the street and behind the stalls to celeb spotting in nearby Primrose Hill. Whether you're waiting to meet a friend or just need a bit of down-time, park yourself near the Lock, grab a coffee and watch the world go by.

9. Animals

After seeing Camden's weird and wonderful human inhabitants, you can visit the cool creatures at nearby ZSL London Zoo. Here you'll find exhibits including Tiger Territory, Gorilla Kingdom and Penguin Beach as well as a fantastic kids' area with water play and a petting zoo.

10. Folk music

Cecil Sharp house is the home of English folk music, holding an astonishing archive of sheet music, recordings and manuscripts documenting the history of traditional English folk dance and song. The venue hosts regular talks, workshops and family-friendly events such as Ceilidhs, Morris Dancing and more.

CECIL SHARP HOUSE MORRIS DANCERS