Today I want to bring you my Camden High Street guide. This famous shopping road in north London is a cool place to eat, drink, browse, and explore. Its colorful atmosphere and variety of alternative entertainment throughout the day and night make it a local London favorite. Read on for my top picks for things to do on Camden High Street. I’ve included a map, too.

Camden High Street

Camden High Street is one of the best-known areas in north London. It runs from Mornington Crescent in the south to Chalk Farm Road in the north, and it’s known for its abundance of colorful shops and off-beat atmosphere.

The street is surrounded by some of London’s best markets, and the side roads coming off it are bursting with character and life. They help make this part of London worth a special trip.

Camden Town was once known for its non-traditional vibe, but over the years the area has become more mainstream. You can still find some of the goth shops and quirky building facades that put this part of the city on the map, though.

How to Get to Camden High Street

It’s easy to get to Camden High Street by tube, bus, bike, scooter, or on foot from other parts of central and north west London. Camden Town station is right on the road and it’s served by both branches of the Northern Line and numerous local buses.

The Camden Road Overground station is nearby, too. It’s a good alternative to taking the London Underground to get here.

You can also walk, cycle, or ride a scooter here from nearby areas like Primrose Hill, Euston, King’s Cross, Kentish Town, Regent’s Park, Belsize Park, Hampstead, and Mornington Crescent. In short, there’s no excuse to stay away.

Camden High Street Shops

Once here, one of the most popular things to do on Camden High Street is shop. This road numbers among the best high streets in London, and there are lots of independent stores and market stalls to be found here.

The best stretch of the street is between the Camden Town tube station and Chalk Farm Road. This is where you’ll come across all the famous shops the road is known for.

From classic souvenir outlets to clothing boutiques, tattoo parlors, and piercing studios, you can find everything here. Whether you’re looking for leather goods, vintage finds, jewelry, or candy, there’s something for everyone.

Add to that the most photogenic facades in London, and you’re in for a treat. From larger-than-life shoes to street art, goth icons, and dragons, their bright colors and unique decor make Camden worth a special shopping trip.

Pubs

When it comes to nightlife, Camden High Street has some great options. There are famous pubs and bars here, and they’re worth a special trip to the area.

From The Elephant’s Head to The World’s End, the Bucks Head, and The Oxford Arms, there are lots of good ones to choose from.

The The World’s End is particularly famous for music. Everyone from The Cranberries to Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead has played in its Underworld club.

The Elephant’s Head is also known for its role in Camden’s live music scene. It hosts regular events and performers, and it’s a great place to get into the area’s soul.

Camden Markets

But what really draws people to Camden High Street is the markets. This part of London is known for them, after all, and there are a number of good ones along the road.

Whether you’re looking for vinyl, clothing, food, antiques, or souvenirs, there’s a market here for you.

The most famous is Camden Market. Right on Regent’s Canal, this is the largest market in London. From the Horse Tunnel Market to the Italian Alley, Egyptomania, Camden Lock Place, West Yard, and Stables Market, there’s a warren of stalls and spaces to explore.

This is also where you’ll find the famous Amy Winehouse statue and the picturesque umbrella alley.

Another market on Camden High Street is Buck Street Market. This one is comprised of repurposed shipping containers stacked on top of one another around a central courtyard.

It’s a fun place to pick up coffee, clothes, food, and other finds. There’s a great rooftop, too.

Not far from Buck Street Market is Hawley Wharf. This big canalside complex is full of market stalls selling everything from ice cream to records, home goods, and gifts.

There’s even a Curzon cinema in the railway arches and a subterranean theme park for kids. This is a fun place to pick up souvenirs or get something to take away and eat along the Regent’s Canal Towpath.

On the more traditional end of things, Inverness Street Market has stalls selling everything from street food to handicrafts and clothes. The road is lined with shops, too, so there’s plenty to browse and buy.

Camden High Street Hotels

Camden is one of the best places to live in north London, and if you want to make like a local and stay on Camden High Street, you have a number of options.

If you’re after something traditional, there’s everything from a Holiday Inn to other large chain hotels conveniently located on and around the street.

If you’re looking for something unique, my top pick for a hotel is The Wesley. This quirky hotel in London is housed in a 19th-century chapel. You can book a stay here.

You can see a range of other accommodation and places to stay in Camden here. From hotels to B&Bs, apartments, and suites, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Entertainment Venues & Concert Halls

Camden High Street is also famous for live entertainment. In addition to the aforementioned pubs, the road is home to some well-known performance venues.

One of the best is KOKO. Located right at the bottom of Camden High Street, this iconic London concert hall is housed in a former theater by the Mornington Crescent tube station.

KOKO has been around in one form or another since 1900, and everyone from Charlie Chaplin to The Rolling Stones, Prince, The Clash, Kanye, and Madonna has performed here. I’ve been to gigs at KOKO and I can personally vouch for how good the venue is.

Other places on and around the road include The Blues Kitchen, Jazz Cafe on Parkway, Electric Ballroom, Hampstead Comedy Club, PowerHaus, Comedy Carnival Camden on Crowndale Road, and The Etcetera Theatre.

From live music to fringe acts, DJs, comedians, and club nights, they’re great places to get into the scene in Camden and great spots to go in London at night.

Camden High Street Restaurants

If you get hungry while you’re here, there are lots of restaurants on Camden High Street. This road has a range of casual places to eat, and you can find food from around the globe here.

Whether you’re looking for pancakes, burgers, ice cream, or baked goods, there are plenty of options here. From fast food outlets to sandwich shops, coffee places, bakeries, and sit-down restaurants, the road has something for everyone.

My favorite places to eat here are the markets. From the big range of food stalls in Camden Lock Market to the variety of places to eat in Buck Street Market and Hawley Wharf, you’re spoiled for choice.

Landmarks

Camden High Street also has a number of local landmarks that are fun to seek out. They’re great ways to turn your visit into a treasure hunt.

One is the Music Walk of Fame, which launched in 2019. Like the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, it features a trail of stone records that pay homage to music icons.

From Amy Winehouse to David Bowie, The Who, and Soul II Soul, you can spot them on the ground in front of the shops along Camden High Street.

Another is a blue plaque dedicated to 19th-century pugilist Tom Sayers. Installed at 257 Camden High Street in 2002, it’s a tribute to the famous boxer who died here in 1865.

A third is the statue of Richard Cobden at the southern end of Camden High Street. It’s dedicated to the politician who led a successful campaign for the repeal of the Corn Laws in the 1840s.

Then there are the street’s rainbow crossings. Like the colorful facades on many of the buildings, they add a vibrant tone to the road. They’re great for photos, too.

Local Area

There’s more to Camden than just the main thoroughfare. There are a lot of places around Camden High Street that are worth a visit when you’re in the area.

From the plethora of restaurants on Parkway to the pleasant scenery along the Regent’s Canal Towpath, there are plenty of good spots to explore in the neighborhood.

Add to that the stretch of Chalk Farm Road that extends north from Camden High Street, and there’s a lot more to get excited about while you’re here (including the Roundhouse, which is a great entertainment venue).

You can read my full Camden area guide to see more of my top picks for places to go in this part of the UK capital.

You can also take a guided tour of the area. There are lots of fun ones to choose from, including Camden walking tours, delicious food tours in Camden Market, fun pub crawls, local brewery tours, and street art tours. You can see more options and book one here.

Camden High Street Map

Camden High Street

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Camden High Street guide, and that it’s gotten you excited to discover this part of north London. There’s a lot to do and see around here, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy exploring this street as much as I do.

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