5 Tips for Visiting Camden Market in London
Camden Town is one of the absolute coolest places on earth and, most definitely a place you want to make a stop in on your visit to London. Camden is a historic UK neighborhood, famed for being the home of many artists, authors, poets and musicians. Filled with fashion, food and fun, it’s not surprising that Camden Town is a massive tourist attraction.
One of the best-known things in this part of the city is Camden Market. Camden Market, also known as Camden Town Market and Camden Lock, was started all the way back in 1973 and its popularity has only grown ever since then. Camden Market isn’t just one marketplace. It’s a series of markets strewn all around Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road. The market has over 1000 cafes and shops and is renowned for its place in counter-culture. In fact, it’s the fourth-most popular visitor attraction in London and attracts roughly 250,000 people every week.
For tourists, the idea of visiting such a massive and monumental location can definitely seem daunting. However, there are plenty of tips and tricks to make your way through the sprawling arches and cobbled alleys of the eclectically eventful Camden Market.
Tip 1:
Camden Market is open throughout the week, but some stalls shut shop on weekdays. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days at Camden Market but also allow you to experience it in full swing. If you want to witness punk rock and gig culture at its finest, the weekend is the best time to visit.
Alternatively, if you’re keen on shopping without the crowd, it makes more sense to visit Camden Market in the late morning of a weekday. You might miss out on a few stalls but you also won’t have to deal with a throng of people.
Tip 2:
The easiest way to reach Camden Market is via the London Tube. The entire market area can be found between the two stations from the Northern Line, Camden Town and Chalk Farm. If you prefer the bus, take one of the following routes: 24, 214, 274 or 393. The shops and stalls of the market are placed along both sides of the two streets, Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road.
Tip 3:
Camden Market is composed of many markets. These are Camden Lock Market, Stables Market, Camden Lock Village, Buck Street Market, The Electric Ballroom and Inverness Street Market.
If you only have time to visit one of these six markets, ensure that it is Camden Lock Market, the place where it all began.
In Camden Lock Market, you won’t find your run-of-the-mill, generic stuff to shop for. Camden is all about the indie scene. And you can find anything under the sun, including jewelry, accessories, clothing, vinyl records, books, furnishings, crockery, cutlery and much more.
There’s a range of diverse food stalls, dishing delightfully affordable meals from all over the globe.
If you’re a bit of a history buff, you’ll probably enjoy a visit to Inverness Street Market. While Inverness Street Market is not as famous as Camden Lock it’s the only market to have been in existence before the 70s.
Tip 4:
If you consider yourself a bargaining pro, you might be able to try your luck at Camden Market. A little bit of haggling here and there might work. But remember that sellers only tend to be this generous when you’re purchasing more than one item. Needless to say, avoid pushing it too far if a seller has fixed prices.
Tip 5:
As is the case with most popular tourist spots, Camden Market has had plenty of pickpocketing incidents take place. Don’t carry an excess of cash or anything overly valuable. Keep an eye on your belongings and keep your wits about you.
Conclusion:
Enjoy Camden Market in all its glory but remember that you’ll be walking around quite a bit. Wear comfortable shoes and make sure that you have a comfortable place to stay after a long day of shopping and sightseeing. Take a look at places like London-Hotels.co to find the perfect hotel to match your budget and luxury preference.