Go for a walk on Camden High Street to discover the colourful and free-spirited lifestyle of Camden Town. Watch as goths, punks, mods and rockers mix in harmony. Attend concerts by upcoming and big-name artists, dine on eclectic food and drink in pubs often frequented by world-famous celebrities. Camden High Street stretches for about 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) between Regent’s Canal and Harrington Square.
The street, most notably the northern section, is a paradise for shoppers. Stroll past boutiques that cater for everything from burlesque and gothic to rockabilly and vintage styles. Browse chain stores, leather outlets and second-hand record shops. Peek inside tattoo parlors and pause to read the comic slogans, emblazoned across T-shirts that hang from store windows.
Explore the collection of markets known as the Camden Markets. Camden (Buck Street) Market is home to dozens of independent fashion retailers and street food stands. Across Regent’s Canal is Camden Lock Market, where galleries and jewelers elbow up against tailors, thrift stores and sought-after designers. Visit the market’s food court to sample cuisine from Ethiopia, India and Vietnam, among other nations.
Since the 1960s Camden Town has been synonymous with music and today continues to welcome established and rising stars. Venues, including the Electric Ballroom and Koko, have hosted bands such as Blur, Joy Division and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Spend an evening mingling with extroverted crowds in the street’s traditional pubs. Just off the northern end of the street is The Hawley Arms, a favourite haunt of Hollywood actors and the late Amy Winehouse. Visit the Etcetera Theatre for a night of alternative entertainment. It’s one of the main venues during August’s Camden Fringe, a month-long festival of comedy and theatre.
Camden High Street cuts through the heart of Camden Town, a neighbourhood located in north London. The Tube stations of Camden Town and Mornington Crescent have direct access to the street and offer underground transport links across the city. Public buses also stop at various locations along the street.
Check the websites of the markets and music venues for opening times and an up-to-date schedule of events.
