Camden Market Guide
Reachability:
London underground station Camden Town and Chalk Farm, Northern Line, Zone 2
Opening times:
Unfortunately. the various stalls and shops have quite different opening hours. However, many stores are open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock. A large number of cafes, street food stalls and restaurants are open daily between 12:00 and 20:00 o'clock. (links to details listed further below)
Tip:
If you lose your shopping mood when there is too much hustle and bustle, you should try to visit the market during the week, although a few stalls open only on weekends. From Friday till Sunday you need to expect big crowds.
Tourist Info & Guide:
The simplest way to arrive is by underground. The entire market area can be found between the two stations from the Northern Line, Camden Town and Chalk Farm. The shops and stalls spread out at the left and right side along the two streets, Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road. If you start your market visit at the Camden Town station you will encounter the various main areas in the following order:
1. The Buck Street Market is located at the corner of Buck Street and Camden High Street, not far from the underground station Camden Town. In the past, this area was home to many small stalls selling cheap and simple textiles. Today, Buck Street Market is a kind of container village with alternative stores and high-quality food stalls. Here you will find sustainable fair trade fashion, delicious food in environmentally friendly packaging and a good conscience while enjoying and shopping.
2. The Camden Lock Market can be found at the end of the Camden high street, just after the bridge over Regent's Canal. This market area is regularly used since 1975 and is therefore the origin of the Camden Markets. At this place you will find many stalls with high-quality craft items located in and around a building with 3 floors. Particularly noteworthy is also the wide range of food stalls with fragrant dishes from all over the world. This is Street Food of the finest kind.
3. The Hawley Wharf Market is a new area of the Camden Market which is located directly opposite the Lock Market along Regent's Canal. The newly built building complex was opened in the year 2021 and covers an area of around 50,000 m². Many sections have an open design and look like a combination of some market elements with a modern shopping center. Here you will find the typical Camden Market mix of new stylish fashion with vintage look and in addition to a large number of cafes and restaurants also a small cinema center.
4. The Stables Market is located along the Chalk Farm Road in an area where there have been stables in early times. The stalls and shops are usually covered and are located mainly in these stables or in the arches under a railway viaduct. At approx. 500 shops and stalls you can find among others alternative fashion, vintage clothing, furniture, antiques and Second-Hand items.
Which day is the best for your visit?
Although the Camden Market is open 7 days a week you should consider carefully which day you choose for your visit. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the days where a lot of stalls and shops are usually open. If you like to experience the lively hustle and bustle among like-minded people, you should choose the weekend. If you prefer the relaxed Camden Town atmosphere, you should start your visit in the late morning during the week. Only downside in that case is that a few stalls open only on weekends.
Which underground station should I get off?
Both underground stations, Camden Town and Chalk Farm, are well suited for your arrival. If you are planning to have an extensive shopping day, you should get off at Camden Town station. You arrive there directly into the shopping crowds and pass by at the different areas on your way to Chalk Farm station.
If you do not plan to spend too much time and just want to experience the typical Camden Market atmosphere, then get on and off at Chalk Farm station. You should visit only the Stables Market and in any case the Camden Lock Market. Both markets are located close to Chalk Farm station.
Visitor Tip:
If you like to surprise your stomach with extraordinary dishes, you should schedule a break at one of the many food stalls. Usually, you will not have any troubles to develop the necessary appetite as there are so many places with intense and exotic smells of the offered dishes.
Links with further details:
Camden Market Visit Info
Camden Market Sections
Events & Music
