The bustling and vibrant Camden area has an excellent reputation thanks to its rich artistic and cultural history, especially its longstanding musical tradition. Updated for 2023, this area guide serves as an introduction to what the area has to offer for students living in the heart of the awesome London neighbourhood, at The Stay Club Camden! Life as a student requires a nice mix of lifestyle options alongside local amenities, and Camden has a lot to offer on both fronts. So, keep scrolling to learn cool things to do in Camden Town, what the Camden shopping scene looks like and more!
What we cover:
1. Camden Transport Links
2. Essentials in Camden
3. Camden Shopping
4. Things To Do in Camden
5. Food & Drink
Camden Transport Links
Camden’s convenient location makes living in the area all the more enjoyable. Commuting to the city’s centre and various other East London areas is made easier with tube stops on the Northern line and a galore of buses passing through Camden High Street. Aside from the busy Camden Town, there is also Chalk Farm tube stop, both located on the Northern Line. Although Camden Town leads to the heart of the area, the Chalk Farm tube stop is the quieter alternative which is closer to Camden Market.
The Northern Line leads to two branches, with both offering a great selection of destinations around London. On the Charing Cross branch, you can reach Tottenham Court Road and do a bit of shopping. There is also Leicester Square if you are looking to catch a show or walk around Covent Garden. Charing Cross is also close by Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden as well as some of LSE’s and King’s College London campuses. Waterloo is on the Charing Cross branch too, and convenient if you were looking to book trains to various parts outside of London.
If you hop on the Angel branch, you will find yourself passing through King’s Cross, one of the busiest stations with the Piccadilly, Northern, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City Lines traversing through it. It’s also adjacent to St. Pancras International, where you will find national and international lines, including the Eurostar! A little further down the Northern Line, you can come across Angel, one of London’s prettiest neighbourhoods to enjoy a cup of coffee or a quick pint. Old Street is also on the branch, leading you to the heart of East London’s Shoreditch. After passing through Moorgate and Bank stations, you are heading to the other side of the Thames at the wonderful London Bridge with its abundance of markets and eating destinations.
Essential Amenities
Everyday life requires slightly less exciting amenities. In central London, you’re never far from what you need, and The Stay Club Camden is no exception.
The local Sainsbury’s just opposite the Roundhouse is a convenient option when you are looking for a quick lunch supply. Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s both have large stores under 10 minutes away, where you can do your weekly shop and grab any household essentials.
When moving to a new area, healthcare should be one of your priorities. Here are all the resources to make it easy to find your nearest providers:
- GP: If you are looking for a Camden GP to register with, you will be happy to hear that there are a number of options to pick from, located under 15 minutes on foot from The Stay Club Camden! You can search for local GPs at any given moment and review them via the NHS Service Search tool.
- Dentist: Smile bright and with confidence, knowing that there are over a dozen dental care services within less than a mile of your future home! Find the local options here, or head to the friendly team at NW1 Dental Care and get your treatment at a discounted rate with The Stay Club key card.
- Optician: There are plenty of opticians to choose from in the local area; an estimated 15 options within a 1-mile radius of our accommodation. Get the updated information on your closest optician.
- Pharmacies: Having a number of pharmacies close by is always a plus, and the Camden area does have plenty of options to pick from. The closest one is located within the Morrison’s superstore, so you can tick both your pharmacy run and grocery shopping off your list! Browse the list here.
Shopping in Camden
There is no shortage of shopping options in Camden, an area filled to the rim with markets! From Camden shops to markets and places where you can grab your week’s groceries, below you will find some of the area’s most interesting spots.
When exiting the Camden Town tube station, you will come across the Inverness Street Market, with multiple street food stalls and other traders selling a variety of clothing, memorabilia and more. Opposite this market is Buck Street Market, a recently redeveloped destination consisting of pastel-coloured containers with multiple eating, drinking and shopping options to enjoy!
A few minutes upwards, and after passing the bridge at Regent’s Canal, you will find Camden Lock Market to your left and Stables Market a little further up the road (just opposite The Stay Club Camden!). Camden Lock Market and Stables Market make up the world-famous Camden Market. While it’s popular on weekends, students can enjoy it over the week as well, for a quieter and more thorough experience.
Across the local markets, there is an abundance of treasures to be found! From unique London memorabilia, like those offered at To Home from London, which you can treat your family and friends to, all the way to quirky Camden vintage shops. You’re really spoilt for choice as far as Camden Market shops are concerned! What’s more, Camden High Street is also dotted with tourist stores sitting comfortably next to high street brands.
Things to Do Around Camden
No matter what you are looking for, chances are you will find it in Camden. The area is filled with fun and exciting things to do! Although we have already covered that Camden Market is one of the areas’s best activities, there are many more notable mentions to be listed.
Outdoors Spaces
Regent’s Canal, which passes from Camden, Angel and through East London, is a great stroll to enjoy by walking along the towpath or jumping on the London Waterbus Co.’s cool red waterbuses, which will take you all the way to Little Venice, or drop you off mid-way at ZSL London Zoo! The zoo is a phenomenal destination for a slow Sunday when you want to do something different outdoors, and it sits between Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, both lush green spaces.
Though it is considered another area, Primrose Hill is a picturesque neighbourhood just a ten-minute walk from The Stay Club Camden. The calm vibe and cosy cafés bring a warm and welcoming feeling, but we have yet to mention the absolute highlight! The area flaunts a wonderful green space, which is ideal for any day with clear skies and which treats guests to phenomenal views of London’s skyline. Primrose Hill and its stunning streets make a lovely contrast to Camden’s vividness, so it’s safe to say it’s the best of both worlds!
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Museums
Beloved London museums, such as The British Museum or the Wellcome Collection, are only a short commute from the area. However, Camden plays host to numerous hidden gems and galleries that anyone interested in a city’s artistic happenings would be keen to explore. The Jewish Museum is one of the most well-known, and you can find it on Albert Street. The Zabludowicz Collection is also a great destination to get acquainted with emerging artists, whilst contemporary art aficionados will enjoy the Camden Art Centre. The Camden Image Gallery curates a great programme of exhibitions to keep an eye out for, adding to the area’s artistic and cultural tradition!
Event & Music Venues
If there is one thing that Camden is known for, it is how it influenced the UK’s music scene over the years. Plenty of venues local to the area have been around for decades, meaning it has been considered a longstanding player in the city’s music scene. Check out one of the newest venues, The Camden Club, for emerging artists and big names (and 10% off for Stay Club residents!).
The Roundhouse, a performing arts and concert venue on Chalk Farm Road, has hosted renowned musicians from The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin over the years, including events such as those that are a part of the iTunes Festivals. Dingwall’s, the canal-side destination has hosted Stereophonics, Ellie Goulding, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and so many more. Blues, rock & roll and soul artsy vibes are strong in yet another beautiful Camden hang-out, Blues Kitchen. Besides mouth-watering burgers, this Camden classic treats guests to regular live music sessions in a relaxing atmosphere.
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Camden’s Food & Drink Scene
As with most lifestyle activities, food and drink options abound in the Camden area! Visitors will find a place to brunch, street food to grab on the go, tasty cocktails and pubs of all sorts. Let’s walk through some of the most popular destinations:
Cafes & Study Spots
Looking for a space to touch down and send a couple of emails or enjoy a cup of coffee with friends? There’s no shortage of cosy places in Camden! Some of our favourites include The Coffee Jar and Camden Bakery. Both laptop-friendly and serving incredible food and drinks, you can spend hours without noticing! If you are more of a tea lover, we would definitely recommend Yumchaa, where you will find so many blends you will be tempted to take some home with you!
Street Food at Camden Market
Camden’s street food is one of its highlights! Camden Market is one of the many food markets in London, and it surely boasts an incredible selection of street food traders. Spotlighting international cuisine, the market’s food stalls have Argentinian, Asian, Greek and Italian delicacies among other international options that will make you drool!
The lively and colourful market sits by the canal side, offering endless spots to enjoy a quick bite, plenty of stalls to grab anything from accessories to unique gifts, and so many lovely places to relax. Although Camden Market is not primarily a street food market, if you navigate towards the central part of the Stables Market or head to West Yard just above Regent’s Canal, you are bound to find an oasis of food offerings! The selection also includes many of the city’s most coveted vegan eateries, such as Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner, Young Vegans and more. You can find more Vegan places in our Top 5 Vegan spots in Camden article.
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Pubs
The pub scene in Camden Town is as rich as any! We have rounded up some of Camden’s most interesting pubs and bars, but there are some places we would be happy to talk about time and time again! For example, did you know Camden has its very own brewery? Camden Town Brewery is home to the Hells Lager, and you are bound to find them in most pubs around the city! Their brewery also has a bar in the cobblestone alley next to Kentish Town West overground station, which is a cool fact to know. Even cooler is the fact that you can book your own brewery tour on their website. The Lock Tavern also deserves the spotlight, not only because it’s our neighbour and one of our partnerships but because they have the coolest beer garden and roof terrace that are heated to enjoy over the winter.
Must-try restaurants
Burger lovers will rejoice with Band of Burgers, Haché, and Honest Burgers all dotting Camden’s main streets and markets, offering a diverse range of bun, meat and vegan options. Those keen for pizza will also be able to enjoy Purezza Camden, a highly-rated dining option and the UK’s first vegan pizzeria! Vegans are spoiled for choice, as Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner and Young Vegans Pie Shop are close by at Camden Market’s North and West Yards! All in all, it’s highly unlikely any food lover will be unable to eat their hearts out in and around this splendid area of London.
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Student living is never a dull affair in an area with so much to do nearby, whereas local amenities make day-to-day tasks all the more convenient. The area’s great connectivity and abundance of eating and drinking destinations make it a wonderful option to spend your student years. Intrigued? Learn more by getting in touch with our team, or via our virtual tours gallery!
