19 things to see in Camden Town (free Camden Town walking tour with a map)
Distance to cover: 4.2 miles (7 km)
If you click on the map below, a new window will open for live navigation in the field.
What to see in Camden?
Most tourists visiting London arrive at (usually super crowded) Camden Town tube station, walk along vibrant and colorful Camden High Street, have a meal at Camden Market, maybe see the Amy Winehouse statue and head back home.
And this a perfect plan if you have only a short time to visit this wonderful part of London.
However, in this post, I would like to convince you that there is so much more to Camden than that!
During my Camden walking tour, apart from the things listed above, you will also see:
the venue where Madonna played her first concert in the UK
the park where The Beatles had a legendary photographic session
the colorful street that served as a movie set for the Paddington movie
the cemetery, which inspired Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein
one of Banksy's famous murals
the grave that inspired the shape of the iconic red telephone box
great panorama of London
and plenty more!
Enjoy the read and have a wonderful time in Camden!
19 THINGS TO SEE IN CAMDEN
I recommend starting this Camden walking tour at Mornington Crescent tube station, instead of Camden Town tube station.
There are two reasons for that.
Firstly - the crowd. Especially during the weekends, Camden Tube station has an impossible number of people arriving and leaving the area.
Camden is one of the most visited parts of London!
Therefore it saves you a lot of time if you use the nearby Mornington Crescent tube station, especially since they are only a couple minutes' walk from each other.
The second reason is that the first thing you see when you leave the Mornington Crescent station is…
Koko
Koko (before 2004, known as Camden Palace) is one of the UK’s most iconic music venues.
Here, Madonna Louise Ciccone (now known as a Madonna!) performed her first gig in the UK, in 1983.
She was paid £20 for it (equivalent in purchasing power to about £62 today)!
Among many global stars that performed in the intimate setting of Koko/Camden Palace are also: The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy Pop, Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, and Coldplay.
Also here, Prince played his last-ever London gig in 2015.
2. The cemetery that inspired novel Frankenstein
What connects Frankenstein, The Beatles, and the iconic red telephone box?
The (not obvious) answer is the churchyard of one of the oldest Catholic worship places in Great Britain, St Pancras Old Church.
The churchyard is located only 5 minute's walk from the Mornington Crescent, and has a few interesting stories to tell.
Three of the things that I want to show you on this walk are located here.
The idea of one of the most famous gothic novels of all time, Frankenstein, has been inspired by the author's (Mary Shelley) frequent visits to her mother's grave in this churchyard.
Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, the 18th-century feminist thinker, died when giving birth to Mary Shelley.
The tragic event, without a doubt, profoundly affected the writer's life and the churchyard became her special place.
She not only learned how to read her name here (by following the letters on her mother's gravestone).
She also has chosen this place for a love affair with Percy Shelley.
They allegedly even consummated their relationship here (!!!).
The gravestone of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin is visible in this churchyard to this day and is still visited by fans of both- famous mother and the daughter.
3. The grave that inspired the shape of the red telephone box
The designer of the red phone box Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, also frequently visited this churchyard.
Allegedly seeing the tomb of another great architect John Soane (located at the churchyard), might have influenced his design of this well-known icon of British culture.
It is hard to deny the resemblance!
4. The Beatles “Mad Day Out” bench
On the 28th of July 1968, The Beatles visited the churchyard during their break from recording The White Album.
The intention was to take some photos of the band.
The successful photographic session was called The Beatles Mad Day Out.
Today the historic event is celebrated with a small plaque on one of the benches in the park.
5. Regent’s Canal
Camden Town (as we know it) is a relatively new part of London.
The construction of the first houses occurred here only around 230 years ago.
The Regent's Canal came along shortly after (around 1816) and, without doubt, helped Camden establish its position as a transport link.
The goods were leaving the rail tracks here, and later they were transported to other parts of London by horses.
The horses pulling the boats walked along (parallel to the canal) walkways, called towpaths.
Today towpaths are mainly used by cyclists, runners, and tourists.
Now you will have a chance to test them for yourself when you walk along the Regent's Canal.
6. Camden Town Crier
Camden (like London) is ever-changing.
However, one part of Camden has been constant for a while now. It is a Town Crier.
The Camden Town Crier usually is dressed in a very red and gold coat. He is also holding a handbell and making very loud announcements.
He set the Guinness World Record as the loudest crier of all!
This tradition goes back to the 18th century.
Most people couldn't read back then, and heaving a Town Crier was a way to communicate things to the general public.
And today (even though most of Camden's visitors can read), he is still present on the streets entertaining the crowd.
Typically, you can meet him in Camden over the weekends.
The bridge above Regent's Canal near the markets seems to be his favorite spot.
7. The Hawley Arms (Amy Winehouse favorite pub)
Amy Winehouse doesn't need an introduction.
Camden Town was her home, the place she loved dearly (she even mentioned it during her speech when collecting one of her Grammys).
Her favorite spot in Camden was the Hawley Arms Pub.
This is the pub where she hung out with her friends. She even occasionally served the beer from behind the bar!
Inside and outside the pub, you can find many tributes to its most famous regular.
You can find this pub near the iconic Camden Town green bridge.
The rooftop of the Hawley Arms is a great spot for a break!
8. Amy Winehouse mural
At the back of the Hawley Arms Pub, you can find beautiful artwork depicting the most famous client of this pub and a loved member of the pub’s community.
This artwork is a little bit hidden.
To see it, you need to go through the gate next to the pub.
If you cannot find it, just ask security at the door of the pub or anyone inside it. Friendly bunch of people.
No wonder Amy felt at home here.
9. Street art at Hawley Mews
Street art is present everywhere on the streets of Camden Town, and you can hardly miss it.
However, Hawley Mews is a little bit hidden and worth seeing.
The next point on this walk is to see this vibrant and colorful street in Camden.
10. Hartland Road
Hawley Mews will eventually lead you to a residential street called Hartland Road.
This street is famous for the vibrant colors of its houses. A very charming spot in Camden Town.
11. Camden Markets
Camden Lock and The Stables are in the center of Camden Markets.
Both were built during the Industrial Revolution to serve a very different purpose back then.
They started to operate as a shopping destination around 1973.
Together with various music venues, they turned Camden into alternative culture heaven.
The crowd of tourists followed shortly after.
You can spend hours wandering around the unique stalls.
Camden Markets are also a good place for a meal.
12. The statue of Amy Winehouse
Camden Market is a home to one of the most beloved statues in London - the statue of Amy Winehouse.
It is a Camden tribute to its gone-far-to-early famous resident.
The statue of the famous singer is now probably the most photographed object in Camden.
13. Cyberdog
One of the absolute must-see places in Camden Town is Cyberdog, located inside Camden Market.
This is shop is not only selling products. It also offers an experience.
I am not an expert on cyber clothing (far from it!), but I do step inside every time I am around.
Loud but fun experience!
14. Coyote Ugly Saloon
Loud but fun experience - this is also a perfect description of the next place to see on this Camden walking tour, and this is a Coyote Ugly Saloon.
It is a very atmospheric bar with energetic and entertaining bartenders (some performing on the bar!).
The whole place is filled with the sound of music.
Exciting and wild spot in Camden Town.
15. Camden High Street
The eye-catching Camden High Street is a wild and wacky wonderland of weirdness!
As you stroll down this street, you'll be bombarded with a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells.
You will find here: vintage clothing shops, trendy cafes, street performers, and tattoo parlors.
Camden High Street is also a hub for alternative fashion and subcultures. Whether you're a punk, goth, or rockabilly fan, you'll find something suitable for your style here.
16. Bansky in Camden
Banksy created a few of his pieces in Camden. However, there are not that many left to see.
Now you will have an opportunity to see one.
You can find this Banksy’s piece on Oval Road.
17. Chalcot Crescent (aka Windsor Gardens)
The streets of Camden are full of very picturesque pastel terraced houses, ideal for a relaxing walk.
Chalcot Crescent in Camden Town is a particularly interesting one, as it was used as a filming location for the movie "Paddington" (for the exterior shots of the Brown family's house).
18. Primrose Hill
What sort of walk this would be if we would not see some beautiful panoramas of London?
Primrose Hill provides exactly that.
On sunny days, the hill quickly fills with locals (and their blankets) trying to grasp the sun and the view, creating a great and joyful atmosphere.
An absolute Camden must-see spot.
19. The Dublin Castle (pub)
The last stop on this walk is a pub, located very near Camden Tube Station, The Dublin Castle.
Another loved by Amy spot in Camden. She also often performed here.
One of the best places in Camden to see live music, almost daily.
A perfect spot for a drink before you head home.
Last advice: if you can, allocate the whole day for this Camden Town walking tour. Trust me, is worth it!
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