London Area Guide: Camden

The London Borough of Camden: An Area Guide

Camden is iconic. Think Amy Winehouse, Camden Market, grungy pubs and music venues.
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But the Borough of Camden encompasses all of this and more. Think Camden High Street, but also Regent's Park, Hampstead Heath, King's Cross, London Zoo, Primrose Hill, The British Library, and so much more!

Life in Camden

Camden is a mixed, colourful and vibrant part of North London in the NW1 and NW5 postcodes.

Often associated with alternative culture, Camden Town is most known for its bustling markets, however, the music venues, bars and pubs are all popular destinations for visitors to the capital and Londoners from across the city.

Although typecast as attracting bohemians, young professionals, including city workers and, not surprisingly, art and creative types, are a common resident of Camden, possibly down to the excellent transport links of the Northern line and the area’s lively energy.

Did you know that despite its reputation as a hub of young people, the London Borough of Camden, is one of the most expensive London boroughs!

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Pubs and places to eat

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🧀 The Cheese Bar is dedicated to championing British cheese! The only fully cheese-focused restaurants in London, their flagship restaurant is in the heart of Camden Market.

🍻 The Princess of Wales pub in leafy Primrose Hill has brilliant quirky interiors and a fabulous Sunday roast menu.

🥘 Shaka Zulu is a little taste of Africa. With a great ambience and incredible South African Zulu statues, it's a great place to eat with friends. Plus, if that doesn't win you over, the all day two-for-one cocktails will!

🍜 Gilgamesh is a restaurant/bar/club serving pan-Asian food, and somewhere you can hunker down all evening.

🥂 The Garden Gate Hampstead is a beautiful wood-panelled 19th-century pub with tasseled lampshades and a large, heated garden perfect for summer.

🎷 The Blues Kitchen is one of many fantastic locations across London, of these brilliant American themed restaurants and bars. Not only is the food bloody delicious, but the atmosphere is electric - live music on a Friday and Saturday and an extensive cocktail menu are a winning combo.

🥑 Mildred's Camden serve a 100% plant-based menu all day, every day, as well as delicious cocktails and indulgent desserts.

🍷 The World's End is a glorious traditional corner pub with mezzanine and fireplace, the perfect place to rest and booze after a trip to Camden Market.

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Property in Camden

Overall

Adding to the individual and quirky style of Camden, there is a vast mix of property types in the area, including Victorian and Georgian terraces, low rise council blocks and larger Victorian houses.

There are also stylish, contemporary new build apartments available in Camden, such as the Belvard Point, so there are plenty of options for both old and new London property in Camden.

If you are attracted to the character of Victorian and Georgian homes, be aware of signs of subsidence when viewing potential new properties, as Camden is an area of London that can suffer from subsidence.

Renting

The average price of rent in the London Borough of Camden is £720 per week.

Residential streets accessed from Parkway, such as Arlington Road and Albert Street, are particularly desirable locations for home buyers in Camden, due to the beautiful four storey townhouses and distance to the tube. For roads that offer more value for money, Georgiana Street and Greenland Road are good options.

Camden has an impressive staying power, with a large proportion of residents choosing stay living in the district, upsizing to bigger homes after renting or flat sharing – an unusual trend for inner city, vibrant areas of London.

For council tax prices, take a look at Camden Borough Council's guide to council tax.

Buying in Camden

The average house price for Camden Town properties is around £930,000, notably lower than the borough average! Additionally, the housing stock in Camden is predominately made up of flats, which have an average price of £680,000, so there are more affordable options if you are hoping to find a home in Camden.

Due to its location in North London, Camden is an area which will be affected by the construction and operation of the High Speed 2 railway. The High Speed 2 is a railway network connecting cities in the UK to London Euston station; it will be running through the north west of the capital.

Subsidence can also be an issue for properties in Camden, with the NW postcode being a prominent area for subsidence. Finding a Chartered Surveyor with local experience of the buildings in Camden will help you to discover whether there is any evidence of subsidence in your new home. Your surveyor will report on the progressiveness and severity of the subsidence.

In addition to information about subsidence, your property surveyor will be able to provide you with extra guidance about how the High Speed 2 may affect your property.

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Living in Camden

Camden has always been considered a trendy and popular area of London. Described as being less pretentious than ‘hipster’ Shoreditch, Camden has a strong sense of community and diversity that locals are proud of when living in this location.

There are also some excellent options for education in Camden, with the top-performing state secondary schools, Camden School for Girls and Regents High School.

Camden does, however, have a naughty reputation for drug crime, with drugs, theft and anti-social behaviour making up the highest percentage of crime.

Transportation

TfL Public Transport

The main tube station in the heart of Camden, Camden Town, is on both branches of the Northern line, one of the busiest underground lines, in London zone 2. While this means the station is heaving at rush hour, it also means you are so well connected! Everywhere on the entire Northern line is at your fingertips! The Northern line travels from Edgware and High Barnet in the north of London, down to Morden, the southernmost station.

Residents of the London Borough of Camden can benefit from a amazing underground and overground service to/from major central locations such as King’s Cross St Pancras and Euston stations, and Chalk Farm, Chancery Lane, Regent's Park, Goodge Street, West Hampstead tube stations to name a few.

Camden Road station offers London Overground services on the North London line from Stratford to Richmond. There is also lots of options for bus links operating from Camden to destinations all across the capital, many of which operate a 24-hour service.

Cycling

With the continued popularity of cycling in London, and many on-going proposals to improve the cycling experience for Londoners, cycling is a popular way to get around the city, and Camden has many cycle routes in the area. The Camden canal network provides excellent opportunities and paths for cycling, as well as Regent's Park. There are also several 'Boris bike' docking stations in the borough.

Parking Permits

If you intend to have a car when living in Camden, parking permit tariffs are based on a vehicle’s CO2 emissions. However, the parking permit will allow you to park at any time within the zone you live in, you won't be restricted to one street. To apply for a parking permit, visit Camden London Borough Council’s website.

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Attractions and Entertainment

Daytime Attractions

🛍 Camden Market is a must-visit when in Camden Town. The Camden Markets, one of the largest of their sort in Europe, offer endless shopping options, including anything from vintage items to cutting-edge fashion, books and music, crafts, and a wide variety of famous international street food. You can buy furniture, jewellery, and even kit yourself out in all things gothic and punk. Camden Market is extremely crowded on the weekends soit might be best to visit during the week.

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🌷 Despite its central location and concrete appearance, Camden is close to green open spaces and beautiful parks. With Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath and St Martin’s Gardens nearby, there are many opportunities to enjoy a picnic and a Pimms in the sunshine in this borough.

🦆 Camden’s Regent’s Canal provides activities such as kayaking tours and London Waterbus cruises, so you can feel at one with the water! Plus, they're great for a summertime stroll.

🦒 London Zoo is in the heart of Camden, in Regent's Park. You can even see the giraffe's from the street! London Zoo is a ZSL conservation zoo in the heart of the capital.

Evening Entertainment

🤘🏽 The population of Camden is predominately made up of 18-35 year olds, so it is no surprise that Camden’s nightlife is without a doubt, second to none. From rock-and-roll pubs to unique cocktail bars, Camden has infinite options for all ages to enjoy their evening!

🍽 It’s not just about the drinks and street food in Camden, as there are plenty of restaurants you must visit. Check out these lists of the best restaurants in: Kings' Cross, Hampstead, and Chalk Farm.

🎧 With famous music venues, including The Underworld, Electric Ballroom and Koko, Camden is a popular place for music lovers. Camden isn’t limited to rock bands and DJs; it offers jazz and blues fans places to enjoy their favourite sounds, such as the Jazz Café and Blues Kitchen. The Camden Roundhouse is another popular entertainment venue, holding theatrical performances and comedy in addition to live music, including the iTunes Festival.

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Find out more...

Know any other spots in the London Borough of Camden worth a visit? Let us know!

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