Summary of Camden Attractions
The London Borough of Camden features Camden Town, a shopping and entertainment hub renowned for its gritty, alternative atmosphere.
Surprisingly, much of Camden Town was a post-industrial area in the 1970s.
The counterculture movement revitalized this area, transforming wooden yards and stables into world-famous markets, while establishing a vibrant live music scene that continues to flourish regardless of its increased popularity.
Additionally, the broader borough serves as a contrast between Covent Garden in the south and Hampstead Heath in the north.
Camden boasts a couple of prominent West End theatres, as well as notable establishments like the British Museum and British Library, alongside some of London’s treasured green spaces including Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill.
Let us examine the top attractions in Camden:
1. British Museum
As the first national public museum globally, the British Museum was inaugurated as a cabinet of curiosities at the former Montagu House in 1753. Redeveloped from the 1820s through the work of Neoclassical architect Robert Smirke, it features the now-iconic portico.
Although some may view the museum as a remnant of imperial times, when antiquities such as the Elgin Marbles were obtained under questionable circumstances, one cannot overlook the vast array of artifacts and the extensive civilizations represented.
Among these treasures are the Elgin Marbles, metope and frieze carvings from the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, Assyrian lion hunt reliefs, the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial, the Sloane Astrolabe, a bust of Ramesses the Great, Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets, and an early representation of Christ from the Hinton St Mary Mosaic.
2. Camden Town
Continuing to be one of London’s premier nightlife destinations, particularly for those in their 20s, Camden has maintained a reputation for its alternative scene since the punk movement emerged in the late 1970s.
The area is dotted with various unconventional bars, many situated within historically significant buildings that previously serviced the canal or railway.
The majority of nightlife venues host live music, with well-established locations such as the Electric Ballroom, Koko, Dingwalls, Roundhouse, Dublin Castle, and Camden Assembly welcoming artists before they achieved mainstream success.
During the day, visitors can enjoy a plethora of shopping opportunities which will be elaborated upon later, alongside eclectic eateries of every conceivable cuisine, from Argentine steak to tapas, Brazilian flavors, and Tex-Mex.
3. British Library
Once part of the British Museum, the British Library became independent in 1973, transitioning into a large campus located on Euston Road.
This is the largest public building erected in the UK during the 20th century and holds the title of the largest national library worldwide.
It contains a copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland, which totals over 14 million volumes, along with a collection that spans more than 4,000 years.
Casual visitors can enjoy an array of engaging exhibitions, most of which are free of charge.
The Treasures of the British Library exhibit showcases some of the most significant items in the collection, including the Magna Carta, handwritten manuscripts by composers such as Handel, Chopin, and Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook, and first editions of works by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
4. Hampstead Heath
Located on Camden Borough’s northern edge, Hampstead Heath encompasses 350 acres of sprawling common land on a sandy ridge, marking one of London’s highest vantage points.
The park is surrounded by some of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods and connects to the grounds of Kenwood House, a historic Georgian estate.
Visitors can explore the estate’s art collection, featuring works from artists such as Rembrandt, Turner, and Gainsborough, alongside sculptures by Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.
The most notable attraction in Hampstead Heath is Parliament Hill, renowned for offering what many consider to be the finest view of London’s skyline.
This protected vista includes historic sites such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, along with the towering skyline of the City of London and Canary Wharf.
Along the eastern edge of the heath, a series of former reservoirs feature three outdoor swimming pools open year-round.
5. Highgate Cemetery
Also situated in the northern part of the borough, Highgate Cemetery is celebrated for its remarkable burials, exquisite funerary monuments, and natural beauty.
Despite being an active burial ground, Highgate is accessible year-round, with the exception of Christmas.
Notable interments include Karl Marx, actor Bob Hoskins, painter Lucian Freud, architect Frank Matcham, and authors Douglas Adams and George Eliot, among others.
The East Cemetery, which houses Marx’s grave, allows self-guided visits, while access to the West Cemetery, featuring architectural highlights such as the Egyptian Avenue and the Circle of Lebanon, requires a guided tour.
6. Sir John Soane’s Museum
Situated in the former residence of Neoclassical architect John Soane (1753-1837), this museum offers more than a mere display of his personal collections.
The space is somewhat restricted, allowing only 90 visitors at a time, thus arriving early is advantageous.
Interestingly, exhibits are minimally labeled, but knowledgeable attendants are present in each room to provide insights into the artifacts.
An act of Parliament in the 1830s mandates that the museum remains as it was during Soane’s occupancy.
The collection is replete with ancient artifacts, including Roman mosaics, glass relics, cinerary urns, Greek and Roman busts, and an array of ceramics and pottery from Peru and China, along with medieval fragments from the Old Palace of Westminster.
Additionally, the museum houses an extensive selection of Soane’s architectural models and drawings, notably his design for the Bank of England.
7. Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park, one of London’s eight Royal Parks, spans 410 acres, primarily featuring open lawns interspersed with long, straight avenues lined with trees.
At the park’s center lies the meticulously maintained Queen Mary’s Gardens, encircled by a ring road known as the Inner Circle.
Visitors can rent pedal boats at the Boating Lake and enjoy a coffee at the Boathouse Cafe.
Much of Regent’s Park’s charm arises from the terraced stucco townhouses that outline the southern, eastern, and parts of the western boundaries, designed by renowned architect John Nash and Neoclassicism proponent Decimus Burton.
The northern fringe is bordered by Regent’s Canal and houses the London Zoo, which will be discussed further below.
8. Primrose Hill
By crossing Prince Albert Road from Regent’s Park, visitors can ascend this 65-meter hill for another breathtaking view of the London skyline.
Primrose Hill features open parkland, and from its summit, one can admire landmarks such as the BT Tower, the London Eye, and the Shard, as well as the burgeoning cluster of high-rises in the City of London, notably the Cheese Grater and the Gherkin.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Primrose Hill is its tranquil ambiance.
9. London Zoo
Located on the northern edge of Regent’s Park, London Zoo was established in 1828, initially focusing on zoological research rather than public exhibitions.
Opening to the public in 1847, it remains a favorite destination for family outings, housing nearly 700 species across 36 acres, and continually investing in new habitats.
Children particularly enjoy Penguin Beach and the interactive B.U.G.S. exhibition at the Millennium Conservation Centre, while the recent Land of the Lions has been designed to emulate the Gir Forest National Park in India.
As of 2018, a colobus monkey walkthrough was in development, designed by the acclaimed firm of Norman Foster.
The zoo features architecturally significant structures, including two Grade I and eight Grade II-listed monuments.
10. Regent’s Canal
This 8.6-mile waterway forms a vital part of Camden’s landscape.
Commencing in 1820 and designed by John Nash, the Regent’s Canal connects Little Venice, where it meets the Grand Union Canal, to the Docklands, where it merges with the Thames.
The Camden Lock, a pair of manually operated locks, remains active and is bustling with narrowboats during summer.
The historic wharf serves as a pleasant spot to relax by the water, with a unique walking path through London that few tourists explore.
Boat cruises generally depart from Little Venice, and kayak tours are also an option.
The London Canal Museum, located in a Victorian ice warehouse at King’s Cross on the Regent’s Canal, recounts the history of London’s waterways while preserving an original ice well that once stored ice from Norway.
11. Jewish Museum
London’s Jewish Museum relocated to this townhouse in Camden Town in 1995, reopening in 2010 after substantial renovations and expansions.
The museum chronicles Jewish life in England over many centuries, showcasing ceremonial artifacts such as the Lindo Lamp, an 18th-century menorah, a glass-encased Torah, and a 17th-century synagogue ark crafted in Venice.
Additionally, the museum features poignant testimonies, including that of Leon Greenman, a survivor of Auschwitz born in Whitechapel who was affected by the war after relocating to Rotterdam shortly before its invasion.
Temporary exhibitions delve into specific periods and notable individuals, such as the influential designer Michael Fish from the 1960s or the renowned singer Amy Winehouse.
12. Grant Museum of Zoology
We will conclude this exploration with a couple of lesser-known museums, starting with the Grant Museum of Zoology at University College London. This institution, established in 1828, honors zoologist and anatomist Robert Edmund Grant, making it one of the oldest in the UK.
The exhibition embraces a distinctly traditional approach, displaying specimens, many preserved in formaldehyde, housed in glass cabinets across two floors in an atmospheric historic hall.
Notably, this museum showcases exhibits of extinct species, including dodo bones, a quagga skeleton, and a thylacine specimen.
Moreover, it features spectacular fossils, such as an intact rhamphorhynchus pterosaur, alongside exquisite and intricate glass models of marine organisms crafted by the renowned 19th-century glass artists Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka.
13. Keats House
Despite his brief life ending at 25, John Keats has made a profound impact on English literature and culture.
Keats resided in this charming Regency house located on Keats Grove during the late 1810s, corresponding with the most productive period of his short literary career and his engagement to neighbor Fanny Brawne.
During his stay, Keats penned some of his most celebrated works, including “Ode to a Nightingale,” which he is said to have written beneath a plum tree in the garden.
The house was spared from demolition and opened to the public in 1925, and together with its 20th-century museum wing, contains original manuscripts and artifacts from the Keats family.
Visitors can watch a film about Keats’ life in Hampstead and even compose their own poems while listening to recitations of his works.
14. Stables Market
Stables Market could be considered the premier shopping location in London for those seeking unique items.
Housed within the Grade II listed Pickfords stables and former horse hospital in Camden Town, this site was originally constructed to accommodate horses used for towing canal barges.
The market features cobblestone paths and shops located in stable blocks, ancient workshops, horse tunnels, and beneath railway arches.
The selection available is extensive and can easily engross a dedicated shopper for hours.
Items range across various subcultures and include retro curiosities such as cameras, suitcases, rotary telephones, and much more.
15. Lock Market
When discussing “Camden Market,” individuals typically refer to this specific location situated along the Regent’s Canal.
This venue was formerly a timber yard for TE Dingwalls shipbuilders, and over the past 45 years, it has undergone transformation to include an indoor hall and a glass-and-steel canopy that harmonizes with the site’s industrial architecture.
Recently acquired, the Lock Market is scheduled for renewal, intending to become London’s hub for arts and crafts.
Visitors will discover handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, artwork, vinyl records, knitting patterns, yarns, and fabrics, along with a variety of delectable international street foods.
Stalls and eateries serve offerings such as Jamaican jerk chicken, burritos, halloumi fries, churros, crêpes, falafel, and vegetarian curries.
