A rollicking weekend in London’s infamous Camden Town!
Overview
Calling all lovers of music, markets, beer and good times! There’s a fairytale place in London that serves them all up with a side of grunge and peppered with laughs, the strum of a guitar and Amsterdam-style canal locks! I am of course talking about Camden Town: London’s alternative district where Amy Winehouse rose to fame.
Camden by Day
Camden Town is a livewire of movement and energy; a town that’s constantly humming with the vibrations of instruments or of the people dancing to them. I was once told that ‘it’s not a real Camden Pub unless there’s a stage for live music’. After visiting, I can see why! Days are spent with people manouvreing about its concrete jungle, ambling through markets of eclectic fashion along Camden High Street. There are also boutique stores featuring up-and-coming fashion labels and others selling general brick-a-brac. The lustrious Regent’s Canal provides a daytime break where hungry shoppers can refuel at the quaint restaurants along its waterfront.
Camden by Night
Then, as the retail day comes to an end, the energy shifts towards the bar and happy shoppers sink en-masse on bar stools in Camden Town’s best pubs and bars to amiably recount the day’s events. Continuing on, the evening brings with it an excited air as newcomer bands are set to take the stage and eager fans await the sounds that will befall their ears. Camden Town is popular with tourists and locals of all ages, and this wide mix of people, taste and culture makes each evening a completely unpredictable surprise packet. No two nights are the same and no two venues are either!
Safety note
Note that while Camden Town is eclectic and super fun, the area can be a little edgy in the evening so be sure to consider your safety and hold on to your wallets.
Closest tube station
Is there a tube station at Camden Market? Not directly within the market but Camden Town Station is closest and the stops at Chalk Farm and Mornington Crescent are within walking distance.
Keep reading for all of Camden Town’s very best, combined into one helluva weekend!
And… if you have additional time in the region, then be sure to check out my review of The Best Pubs and Parks in beautiful leafy Hampstead, just up the road from Camden!
Where is Camden Town?
Camden is is a district of northwest London, England, UK
Itinerary
Day 1
Camden Markets
Amy Winehouse Statue, Camden Stables Market
Lock Tavern
Roundhouse
Stop for a Bubble Waffle
Blues Kitchen
Day 2
Camden High Street shopping
Regent’s Canal boat trip
The Lucky Bar
PowerHaus (formerly known as Dingwalls)
KOKO
Be At One
Alternative iconic Camden Town Music Venues to visit
Electric Ballroom
Jazz Cafe
Dublin Castle
Underworld
The World’s End
Day 1
Camden Markets
Ready for a day of fanciful foot-loose and fancy free shopping? Well in Camden Town, there are in fact 6 different markets but the main 2 are The Camden Lock Market and The Stables Market. However, in 2014 they both came together to form ‘Camden Market’ as a whole. Be sure to stop by on a weekend where sales are in full swing!
Camden Lock Market
The Camden Lock Market can be found at the end of Camden High Street, just over the bridge of Regent’s Canal. It was only in 1972 that two friends bought the derelict timber yard of T.E Dingwalls and set up Camden Lock Market. Here you will find high-quality craft items located in and around a building with 3 floors. There are also a wide range of delicious and fragrant food stalls representing cuisine from all over the world!
Camden Stables Market
The historic former Pickfords stables and arches under an ancient railway viaduct located along Chalk Farm Road have now been converted into approximately 700 shops. You’ll find alternative fashion, vintage clothing, furniture, books, antiques and second-hand items in what was once a Horse Hospital!
Amy Winehouse Statue, Camden Stables Market
Camden Town was the playground of famous singer Amy Winehouse before her sad passing. In honour of her lustrious life, a bronze statue depicting Amy’s signature beehive hairdo has been erected within the Stables Market. You won’t believe how many people pose with Amy’s statue so be quick to line up!
Lock Tavern
One of the most popular hangouts in Camden (including for Amy Winehouse!) is the uber cool Lock Tavern. As its name implies, it’s a busy lockside pub with roof terrace that serves up a variety of craft beers. This beloved North London bar also carves up a great Sunday roast and offers visitors a rustic drinking den under a gorgeous roof terrace. As is expected of any great Camden pub, it of course hosts music events (often with big names)!
It’s a great intermediary to bridge a day of shopping at Camden Market into an night of tunes! Come for your first cheeky one (or two) of the evening before heading on to other great live acts and sips!
Roundhouse
This local London institution showcases acts from some of the UK’s top theatre companies, as well as films, art installations and gigs. Ok so The Roundhouse is oh-so-technically just outside of Camden Town but lies basically on the outskirts. The Roundhouse is a performing arts and concert venue situated in a former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm. Its reputation precedes itself and upcoming gigs include the likes of Midnight Oil, The Dandy Warhols, Milky Chance, Hanson, Belle & Sebastian, Lorde and Crowded House. Book tickets ahead to avoid disappointment. This is one of the unmissable venues of your weekend itinerary!
Treat yourself to a Bubble Waffle!
Bubble waffles are taking over London and why not treat yourself to one from its flagship store at Bubblemania! These delicious jam-packed sweets are available well into the night and are the perfect stomach filler on a night out in Camden Town.
Blues Kitchen
Ask me what my favourite Camden Town venue was. Go on, I dare you! Ok ok, sorry to get so excited. Blues Kitchen was completely, undeniably my favourite experience in Camden! This dimly lit, fluorescently overloaded, unassuming bar drummed up live act after live act in a thrillingly smoky space (it was artificial for the stage, don’t panic). This dedicated Blues Bar serves hickory-smoked comfort food and consistently features regular live music & DJs. I was absolutely captivated in my little corner amidst the packed bar of people eager to hear new sounds and quality vocals. The Blues Kitchen is the very best way to complete your day in iconic Camden Town!
Day 2
Camden High Street shopping
This London high street is located in the midst of all the popular Camden markets and provides a highway for numerous groups of visitors wandering around. Along the way, you’ll find amazing shops, indoor and outdoor market and restaurants. Be prepared for throngs of crowds along this backbone of Camden on a weekend. More importantly, get ready to walk and enjoy a day of exploring fabulous shops!
Regent’s Canal boat trip
Put up your feet and enjoy a leisurely one-way guided boat trip on the Regent’s Canal between Little Venice and Camden Town passing by sights such as London Zoo. You’ll pass through the Maida Hill Tunnel along a canal that was once used for important trade between 1820 until the 1960s. The canal linked King’s Cross to the major industrial cities in the North of England and for over 140 years brought coal, goods and building materials to London. Nowadays visitors will enjoy a peaceful ride along the tree-lined waterway.
The Lucky Club
The Lucky Club in Camden commands an iconic space over the historic horse hospital and Camden Stables Market. This high end cocktail bar is an exciting addition to North London’s skyline and its rooftop location boats a retractable roof and state of the art gas heaters which allow for year round alfresco drinking and dining. The modern space of pared back materials and decorative foliage in a neutral colour space is particularly inviting after a day of activity. Come and enjoy a specialty Margarita or Mezcal cocktail and refuel with contemporary tacos, quesadillas and modern Mexican fare.
PowerHaus (formerly known as Dingwalls)
One of the main live music venues in Camden, PowerHaus reopened its doors in 2020 after being forced to rename the original (and iconic) venue called Dingwalls due to a copywrite issue. Dingwalls originally opened in 1973 as a dancehall and has played host to iconic shows such as Blondies debut, Coldplay, Etta James, Foo Fighters, R.E.M, The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Strokes and The Ramones. Continuing in this leading music vein, PowerHaus has hosted a range of great acts and pours a solid beer to stimulate all band-led conversation!
KOKO
Previously a Victorian theatre in the late 1800s which hosted the likes of Charlie Chaplin, KOKO has since evolved into a 21st century, state of the art venue. Its highly adaptable space has seen it used for a range of artistic performances; from small intimate comedy to international awards to a radio studio to thumping club nights to stylish cabaret evenings. It notoriously provided a platform for the first-wave punk bands such as The Sex Pistols and The Clash. More recently it was known as The Camden Palace and hosted the early gigs of the Eurythmics and even the first UK performance of Madonna! Other leading acts such as Wham, Boy George and Prince have also graced its stage cementing it in history as one of the most legendary theatres of all. Head to the official website to book ahead because this place sells out in no time. Ticketholders enjoy discounted drinks so why not head there early and enjoy a quick brew before a thrilling evening of music!?
Be At One
This lively chain bar is the perfect ending to a weekend in Camden Town, offering over 100 cocktails (and even a mixing masterclass!) Head on over to join the unbeatable good vibes and welcoming atmosphere under the indoors large neon ‘Camden’ sign. Make some friends amongst the good tunes and enjoy all that Camden Town has to offer.
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