Just outside of central London lies a cultural hub where tourists and locals alike go to see things they can’t find anywhere else. Camden Town is a vibrant, colorful center of appreciation for alternative subculture and anything odd or eclectic.
Camden Market had its humble beginnings in the 1970s. Music venues such as The Roundhouse and Dingwalls hosted performances by punk rock bands such as The Clash and The Ramones. These performances rallied London’s punks together, allowing the rebellious, off-the-wall scene to flourish.
In those early days, most of Camden Market’s few vendors were small businesses selling homemade crafts or bands peddling their merch. DIY and small-scale shopping are important parts of punk culture, since their way of pushing against the status quo involves rejecting consumerism and conformity, embracing individualism and creativity.
Despite the ideals defining the market’s beginnings, it has since bloomed into a much larger operation that appeals to many diverse interests. There’s truly something for everyone in Camden Market.
If you visit, you should plan on wearing good walking shoes to comfortably explore for several hours—there is an overwhelming number of things to see! Make sure to come hungry as well, as there are more than a hundred vendors selling authentic street food from everywhere in the world. Try bao buns, fancy churros, falafel, loaded chips, or something you’ve never even heard of.
The merchandise has just as much variety as the food. You’ll see some vendors hawking studded Italian leather jackets and others displaying vintage fashion dating from the 1930s to the 90s. Cyberdog, a huge emporium of rave and techno gear, stands out with its loud music and displays straight out of a sci-fi dream. The Dr. Marten’s store next door has a shoe museum upstairs that any Docs enthusiast wouldn’t want to miss.
Even among all the bustle, you’ll see many traces of Camden’s punk roots shining through. You’ll be inspired by the spirit of freedom and nonconformity as you experience one of the most interesting places London has to offer.
