Marvelous Markets, pt. 4: Camden Market – London
Ah, Camden Market. Where do I even begin? Oh, I know…this is one of my favorite things to do in London. I make sure to stop by every time I’m there. Honestly I’d go as far as saying it’s the best market I’ve ever been to. And that’s saying a lot, because I’ve been to a LOT of great markets. London has a lot of amazing markets which are all great if you’re looking for free activities in London. But Camden Market is one of my favorites!
A maze of food, souvenirs, vintage, trinkets….my actual happy place. There’s something for everyone here, and you could all day wandering around the web of vendor stalls and shops.
Technically, Camden Market is actually more than just one market. It’s a series of adjoining markets in Camden, a hip area of London easily accessible by the underground. The markets are open every day and are really busy every day but especially weekends, attracting over 100,000 people each weekend.
Even though this place is really popular with tourists (it’s actually the 4th most popular tourist attraction in London), I still find it diverse in terms of the crowd. You’ll see stereotypical tourists with cameras around their necks and fanny packs around their waist looking around in awe. But you’ll also see hipster locals with gages and Dr. Martens searching for the latest vintage find.
“Camden Market” is comprised of 5 markets:
1. Camden Stables Market
My favorite of all the markets! With over 700 stalls built into a historical industrial building, there’s something for everyone here. Shop for antiques, crafts, footwear, alternative fashion, and vintage clothes. You could also get a piercing or tattoo. Or just grab some food from the variety of stalls offering cuisine from around the world, find a place to sit down, eat, and watch people passing by. Make sure to check out the catacombs, an underground web of stalls housed in Victorian brick arches that were once part of a railway station.
2. Camden Lock Market
The original Camden Market, this place has everything from old films, home decor, crafts, jewellery, books, and all things vintage. Although there’s stalls open every day, this market is jam-packed on weekends and has tons of options for food too!
3. Camden Lock Village
This general outdoor market has over 500 independent shop-units not only with the usual market finds, but more unusual products as well!
4. Buck Street Market
This market is situated right next to the Camden Town tube station. So, many tourists see it and think that this is the famous Camden Market when really, this is just a small one out of many! This houses 200 stalls in a web of narrow alleyways. To me, it seemed like many vendors were selling the same t-shirts and clothes, and the salespeople were very aggressive. I would pass this market and continue on Camden High Street towards the Stables and Lock Markets.
5. Inverness Street Market
Although primarily a fruit and vegetable market, more recently bargain clothes and souvenirs have started replacing produce here. The street also boasts lots of good restaurants!
When to go to Camden Market
Weekends are the peak period for the markets, and when you’ll find it absolutely sprawling. However, you can still find lots of vendors open there on weekdays (more so at the Stables and Lock Markets), and you’ll avoid the heavier crowds if that isn’t your cup of tea. You can find out more about the opening hours of Camden Market here.
How to get to Camden Market
Another plus about Camden Market is that it’s super easy to get there by public transport! Taking the Northern Line to Camden Town is the most popular way. Just take a right out of the tube station and you’ll follow the crowds on Camden High Street to the various markets. But there are alternate, less crowded ways as well! Chalk Farm and Mornington Crescent tube stations, also on the Northern Line, are both a short walk to Camden Market, are less crowded, and don’t face Sunday afternoon restrictions to avoid overcrowding like the Camden Town station does.
I would definitely suggest visiting the Camden Market, specifically the Camden Stables, during your trip to London! It’s one of my favorite free things to do in London! Well, it’s technically free… if you don’t buy anything. If you’re anything like me, you’re guaranteed to walk away with some unique and totally awesome items!
Markets are seriously the best if you’re looking for a fun and free activity in London. You could spend all day wandering the many stalls at the Camden Market!
