Your guide to all the things to do in Camden Town, including the best restaurants, shops, pubs, live music venues and Camden Lock Market. PLUS our guide to property in the area

Ham & High: Camden LockCamden Lock (Image: Archant)

Shopping and culture

Camden is synonymous with its market, which is actually a series of six adjoining markets. The original Camden Lock market started in a former timber yard in the early 1970s. This early market now extends to cover Buck Street, Stables, Lock village and an indoor market in the Electric Ballroom. All are now major tourist destinations, crammed with rock t-shirts, street food and souvenirs but it’s still a go-to spot for those of an alternative bent.

There are also vintage clothing and homeware gems to be found if you’re not in the market for a Nirvana hoodie and a piercing.

Best for vintage… Planet Bazaar, based in one of the arches at Stables Market, sells an eclectic hand picked selection of vintage lighting.

Ham & High: Dublin CastleDublin Castle (Image: Archant)

Best for foodies… Food shoppers should head to Parkway Greens, an old school grocery complete with brown paper bags.

Music

Camden has a historic reputation as a centre of the music scene. While there may not be much in the way of new happenings in the area nowadays, drinkers can hark back to the glory days of Britpop at the Good Mixer, which acted as a social club for members of Blur, alongside lesser known acts like Menswear and Shampoo. The Dublin Castle round the corner is open later and still puts on indie gigs in its back room. The Camden Roundhouse is a leading venue for a range of cultural events, spanning everything from circus performances, theatre and comedy to big name music acts.

Ham & High: Camden TownCamden Town (Image: Archant)

Best for jazz fans… The Jazz Café on Parkway is the best known jazz venue but Green Note also puts on folk, jazz, country and roots.

Food and Drink

Head to the fabled Gilgamesh in the Stables, for pan-Asian dining with a bar and nightclub attached. For the thirsty, The Black Heart promises a heady mix of beer, booze and bands, whilst their alcoholic slush puppy machines appeal to the inner child.

Best for a sugar hit… Crosstown Doughnuts with its hybrid sourdough base and ingenious topping combinations.

Ham & High: Daughter BarDaughter Bar (Image: Archant)

Best for vegetarians… the Camden outpost of Soho veggie mecca Mildreds is based out of an 18th century townhouse on Lexington Street serving solid veggie fare.

Best for a pint… Craft beer hounds should head to BrewDog.

Sports and leisure

Ham & High: Hartland RoadHartland Road (Image: Archant)

Following Triyoga’s relocation to Camden Town from Primrose Hill, north London yoga fiends can be spotted heading to an Ashtanga, barre or pilates class.

Best for cycling… the path along Regent’s Canal provides some of the most scenic cycling in the city. There are Santander bike hire stands at strategic locations, or you can go to Giant Camden for expert advice and high quality gear.

For families

Ham & High: Castlehaven Community ParkCastlehaven Community Park (Image: Archant)

The Pirate Castle offers a range of sporty activities for all ages, including sessions in kayaking, canoeing and narrow boating on the canal. Evening youth clubs are hosted for eight to 17 year-olds and cost £2 for two hours.

Primary and secondary schools

Camden Town Hawley Infant School is a small mixed school for children aged between three and seven and has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. The same rating goes to Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School, a small religious school. North Bridge House offers primary and secondary fee paying education and has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. The Camden School for Girls is a popular girls’ state secondary school, also rated ‘Outstanding’.

Ham & High: Albert StreetAlbert Street (Image: Archant)

Transport

Camden Town is in zone 2 and is served by the Northern line. London Overground station Camden Road is also nearby.

Goldschmidt & Howland says… “Camden Town has a great atmosphere, varied architecture and still very reasonably priced. It is surrounded by some of north London’s most desirable areas and is well located for easy access to the open green space of Regent’s Park, the fast evolving King’s Cross and the West End.”