Holiday Inn London Camden Lock by IHG
London - 30 Jamestown Road
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Camden Town is one of London’s most vibrant and alternative neighbourhoods, a place where diverse cultures meet to create a truly unique atmosphere.
Located in north London, this district has reinvented itself over the years, transforming from an industrial area into a cultural and commercial hub. Its history is closely tied to the Regent’s Canal, which contributed to its development as a centre for markets and trade.
Today, Camden is known worldwide for its famous markets, thriving music scene and rebellious spirit that defines it.
The Camden Market is undoubtedly the main attraction of the neighbourhood, a vast market complex that draws millions of visitors every year. It’s not a single market, but rather several interconnected commercial areas that have developed over time.
The heart of Camden Market is Camden Lock Market, established in the 1970s as a small craft market and now transformed into a lively open-air shopping centre. You’ll find dozens of stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery to vintage clothing, artwork and designer objects. The area is particularly attractive thanks to its location along Regent’s Canal, where you can watch the original 19th-century locks still in operation.
Another unmissable market is Stables Market, located in the former stables and old veterinary clinic of Pickfords, a well-known Victorian removals company. The brick archways and wrought-iron horse sculptures recall the original function of this space, now transformed into a labyrinth of shops selling alternative clothing, accessories and vintage furniture. Here you’ll also find Cyber Dog, an iconic futuristic and rave fashion shop with its neon lights and booming techno music perfectly capturing Camden’s eccentric spirit.
Don’t miss Buck Street Market, recently renovated and transformed into London’s first eco-sustainable market, built using recycled shipping containers. Here you’ll discover independent brands committed to sustainability and a wide range of food offerings.
During the summer months, Camden Market regularly organises After Hours events, when the market stays open late with DJ sets, live performances, outdoor film screenings and special offers at restaurants and bars. These events create a unique festive atmosphere and allow you to experience the markets in a literally different light.
The Regent’s Canal forms a natural backbone running through Camden Town, offering an oasis of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the markets. This canal, completed in 1820, originally linked the Grand Junction Canal at Paddington with the Thames at Limehouse and played a crucial role in the area’s industrial development.
Today you can walk along the towpath (the path beside the canal) to admire the colourful narrowboats (the traditional English floating homes) and discover a more relaxed side of Camden. From Camden Lock bridge you’ll enjoy one of London’s most photographed views, with boats passing through the historic locks.
For an even more atmospheric experience, consider taking a canal boat tour or a walk from Camden Lock to Little Venice, a roughly 45-minute journey that will allow you to see the city from a completely different perspective, passing through London Zoo as well.
The Roundhouse is a circular building that represents one of Camden’s most important cultural venues. Built in 1847 as a railway locomotive depot, it was transformed in the 1960s into a significant cultural centre that hosted concerts by legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.
After a period of decline, the building was completely restored in 2006 and is now a prestigious performing arts centre hosting concerts, theatrical performances and various cultural events. If you’re a music enthusiast, check the events calendar on the official website to see if there are concerts during your London stay.
The building’s architecture, with its dome roof supported by cast-iron columns, is a reason to visit in itself. If you don’t have the chance to see a show, you can always stop at the café-bar inside the venue to admire the fascinating industrial design of the building.
Camden Town was home to the talented singer Amy Winehouse, and the neighbourhood has paid tribute to her with a life-size statue located in Stables Market. Created by sculptor Scott Eaton and unveiled in 2014, the statue depicts the singer with her iconic hairstyle and has become a pilgrimage site for fans from around the world.
The statue has become an important symbol for the neighbourhood, further linking Camden’s identity to its vibrant music scene. Nearby you’ll also find several street art works dedicated to the artist, testament to the neighbourhood’s continued affection for her.
The Jewish Museum London offers an interesting immersion into the history and culture of the British Jewish community. Located in an elegant Victorian building, the museum houses a permanent collection that tells the story of Jews in the United Kingdom from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Particularly noteworthy is the Holocaust Gallery, which presents poignant testimonies and personal objects belonging to survivors, and a recreation of a typical Jewish home from 1930s East End London. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on various aspects of contemporary Jewish culture.
A visit to the museum is an opportunity to discover a lesser-known aspect of Camden and London, away from the stereotype of the alternative neighbourhood, yet equally rich in history and cultural significance. The museum is open daily except Saturday (Shabbat) and admission is charged. For up-to-date information, visit the museum’s official website.
Camden Town is a genuine open-air art gallery, with numerous murals and street art works adorning the walls and buildings of the neighbourhood. Walking through the streets, you’ll admire works by renowned and emerging artists who have contributed to creating this district’s unique visual identity.
Particularly rich in murals is the area around Hawley Street and Hawley Mews, where you’ll find large colourful works. Another point of interest is the railway bridge near the market, decorated with large coloured figures.
The works change frequently, so each visit can bring different surprises. If you’re particularly interested in street art, consider joining a guided tour specifically focused on street art that will take you to discover the most significant works and tell you about the artists who created them.
Camden Town boasts a legendary music scene that has seen artists of the calibre of The Clash, Madness, Amy Winehouse and many others emerge and flourish. The numerous pubs and music venues in the neighbourhood continue this tradition, offering live concerts almost every evening of the week.
Among the historic venues not to be missed is the Dublin Castle, an unassuming pub but with a rich musical history, where Madness performed early in their career and which continues to be an important stage for emerging bands. Equally legendary is The Electric Ballroom, a venue that since 1978 has hosted concerts by artists such as Paul McCartney, U2, The Killers, Prince and many others.
Other worthy venues include PowerHaus, located in a former warehouse near the canal, The Underworld, famous for metal and rock music, and the Jazz Café, which despite its name hosts concerts of various musical genres.
If you’re a music enthusiast, spending an evening at one of these venues will allow you to experience the authentic atmosphere of Camden and perhaps discover new musical talent before they become famous.
The Camden Fringe is a performing arts festival held every year in August. Born as a more accessible and informal alternative to the famous Edinburgh Fringe, this event transforms Camden into a dispersed stage with theatre, comedy, poetry and music performances hosted at various venues throughout the neighbourhood. It’s an excellent opportunity to discover new talent in an intimate and lively atmosphere.
Camden lends itself well to being explored from different themes and perspectives. Among the most common tours you’ll find:
The name Camden comes from Charles Pratt, 1st Earl of Camden, who began developing the area as a residential neighbourhood in 1791. However, it was the construction of the Regent’s Canal in 1820 that radically transformed the area, which became an important industrial centre thanks to the new transport route that facilitated the movement of goods.
The warehouses and stables that today house the famous markets were built to support this commercial and industrial activity. In particular, the structures that now constitute Stables Market served as stables for horses that pulled boats along the canal before the advent of motors.
During the 20th century, with the decline of industrial activity, Camden went through a period of economic hardship. The turnaround came in the 1970s and 1980s, when the neighbourhood began to attract artists, musicians and alternative traders thanks to relatively low property prices. The first permanent market, Camden Lock Market, opened in 1974 and marked the beginning of the neighbourhood’s transformation into the cultural and commercial mecca we know today.
In more recent years, Camden has faced significant challenges, including a devastating fire in 2008 that destroyed part of the market and increasing gentrification that risks altering the neighbourhood’s authentic character. Despite this, Camden continues to reinvent itself, maintaining its rebellious spirit and its importance as a cultural centre of London.
Camden is always lively, but visitor numbers vary considerably depending on the day and time:
Camden Town is easily accessible by public transport, making it a very accessible destination for London visitors.
The simplest way to reach Camden is to use the Northern Line (black) of the Underground to Camden Town station. This station is in Zone 2 and is served by both the Edgware and High Barnet line branches.
At weekends, particularly between 1pm and 5pm, the station becomes extremely crowded, to the point where a one-way system is sometimes implemented or the station is temporarily closed to incoming passengers. In these cases, you can use the alternative stations of Chalk Farm (also on the Northern Line, just a 10-minute walk from Camden Market) or Mornington Crescent (also on the Northern Line, approximately 15 minutes’ walk away).
Numerous bus routes connect Camden Town with other areas of London. The main routes serving the neighbourhood are:
London buses offer the advantage of being able to observe the city during your journey, but journey times can be longer than the Underground, especially during peak hours. For more information about London buses, you can consult our comprehensive guide to London buses.
The nearest railway station to Camden Town is Camden Road, served by London Overground trains. From here you can easily reach other parts of London such as Stratford to the east and Clapham Junction to the south-west. The station is about a 5-minute walk from Camden High Street.
An alternative and scenic way to reach Camden is to navigate along the Regent’s Canal. The London Waterbus Company water bus service offers regular trips between Little Venice and Camden Lock, with stops at London Zoo. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and offers a unique perspective of the city. This service operates mainly at weekends and on public holidays, but during summer it is also available on weekdays.
Camden Town is connected to several other areas of London by pleasant walking and cycling routes, particularly along Regent’s Canal. From central London, you can reach Camden on foot in approximately 30-40 minutes from King’s Cross or Regent’s Park. If you prefer cycling, you can use the Santander Cycles bike-sharing service, with several pick-up and drop-off stations available throughout the neighbourhood.
Camden is generally safe for visitors, especially in busier areas such as the markets and main streets. As with any tourist area, it is always advisable to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas where pickpockets may take advantage of the confusion. At night, some side streets can be less well-lit, so it’s best to stick to main streets if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
Yes, Camden is also suitable for families with children. The markets offer many colourful and interesting attractions, and there are several family-friendly restaurants and cafés. At weekends, crowds can be intense, so you might prefer a weekday visit or early morning. London Zoo, accessible on foot or by a short boat trip along the canal, is an excellent attraction to combine with a visit to Camden for a child-friendly day out.
Camden Market hosts an extraordinary variety of street food from around the world. The areas with the greatest concentration of food vendors are:
Specialities not to be missed include Chinese dumplings from Yum Cha, Dutch pancakes from The Sweet Tooth Factory and gourmet burgers from Honest Burgers.
Yes, Camden is visitable even in the rain. Many parts of the markets are covered, particularly much of the Stables Market and some sections of Camden Lock Market. There are also numerous cafés, pubs and restaurants where you can take shelter in bad weather. However, some outdoor stalls may close in heavy rain, and walking along the canal is certainly more enjoyable in fine weather.
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