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Despite my many trips to London, I had never been to the neighborhood of Camden before. It was always high on my list, based on the following factors:
1) It was cool (so I had heard). And
2) Amy Winehouse lived there (RIP).
That was enough for me!
After arriving in Camden, I was struck by just how colorful it was, especially considering how gray London is most days. (Obviously, the weather helped enormously!)
Camden has long been London’s center of counterculture. Back in the day, it was primarily a working class neighborhood, and quite seedy, but like all neighborhoods of this nature, the creative class moved in and it became much more upmarket.
These days, Camden is still home to a number of unusual stores, tattoo studios, cool shoe shops, and brightly colored buildings.
Camden is home to a spectacular market as well. It reminded me of the markets by San Lorenzo in Florence more than anywhere else.
And I wanted every single one of those vintage dresses!
Camden’s most famous landmark is the Camden Lock. If you’re not familiar with canal locks, boats need to either be raised or lowered in order to keep going through the canal.
It was around here that Chris got “discovered” by a fashion blogger. She wanted pictures of him for her site and he just let her do whatever she wanted!
One of the markets in Camden used to be a stable, so there’s plenty of horse, saddle and lasso decor, including this giant head!
They sell postcards of this horse head. They make great gifts for your equinophobic friends.
As I spent my days exploring London from a post-touristic perspective, I rediscovered my love for neighborhoods. No matter how short your visit is, take time to explore neighborhoods. Camden better be on your list!
I feel like you could probably spend hours and hours just looking at things in Camden. It will definitely make my list of “must-visit” spots whenever I finally make it to London! (Though, I may emerge with one too many of those vintage dresses….)
You might or might not be taken there by me 😉
I will hold you to that! 😛 You gotta come through with those fencing tickets. Lol.
Yeah yeah, still trying to get my hands on those tix…well if that doesn’t work out you can always watch the action when I’m kitted up for a fencing match :p
Please do! The neighborhood and the dresses!
BREAKING NEWS: Waldo spotted in Camden by fashion blogger
HAHA, yes he was!
That blogger doesn’t seem too fashionable to me. When did fanny packs come back in style? I never knew they were in.
I LOVE Camden Markets. You could spend hours looking around and still have so much left to see.
I had such a great time in Camden town.
We hung out that sheesha place across from cyberdog and just people watched. I loved tasting all the food and picking out lunch from all those stands.
I also ran into John Lynch – World’s Most Pierced Man by Guinness World of Records and got a photo op with him.
Haha, I would have got a picture with him, too!
Looks like SUCH a cool place!
This neighbourhood is amazing! (And i also really want a few of those vintage dresses)
It looks like a fascinating place. I could definitely see myself spend an entire day there. Love the picture of the giant horse head! 🙂
I agree, exploring city neighborhoods is awesome! I was in Camden back when I stayed in London for a month, but that was 14 years ago, so I don’t remember it too well. You conveyed the feeling of the area well in these photos!
How can you not like a town named Camden!? After it was the town I was born – in South Carolina, not England. Looks like a great place to explore!
Camden is one of my fave places in London!
First time I’ve been on your site in a while and it had to be when you’re covering the UK……the one place my heart longs for! I miss Camden soooo much. Everyday is a new day in Camden! It’s a must visit everyone!
I actually got a vintage dress from one of the shops in Camden:)
Great for summer parties!
haha! I can’t believe how similar your pictures and mine of Camden Town are!
I fell in love with the whole neighbourhood, the colours, the tattoo and piercing shops and how vibrant it is. I was lucky enough to see Amy Winehouse when she crossed the street right in front of ME!! My friend thought I was joking when I told her I just saw Amy, and we ran after her to take photos lol!
When I visit London this summer I’ll make sure I get one of those Gothic wellies. I’ve regretted that I haven’t done that in my last visit.