Kentish Town sits comfortably between Camden and Hampstead. It is considered a residential area, yet between its local hangouts, central location and bustling high street, it’s a great area to set up as a student. The Kentish Town Area Guide is aimed to give those living in Kentish Town, and students currently with us at The Stay Club Kentish Town, an inside view on where to eat, shop and which places to visit!
Where is Kentish Town?
The Kentish Town area is part of the London Borough of Camden, and it is situated north of Camden Town. The area is close by Highgate, Hampstead and Belsize Park, and a 10-minute walk from famed Camden Market. Connected by the Northern Line, overground and multiple bus routes, it’s well located so students have both lifestyle options available at their doorstep, as well as a variety of commute options to make the most of in exploring London!
Kentish Town Transport Links
The area is considered to be in Zone 2, and is serviced by the Northern Line, as well as the overground. Kentish Town Station is part of the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line, as well as a Thameslink line. Both offer conveniency for a variety of commutes. Thameslink is a main line on the National Railway System, which means you catch a train to cities outside of London, in addition to commuting to and from a number of key London airports. As for the Northern Line, it flows through two branches that traverse Central London and connect with some of Central London’s most popular destinations such as Euston, King’s Cross, Waterloo, Charing Cross and Bank. An array of shopping options can be found if you hop off at Tottenham Court Road. Popular West End Shows are a speedy commute away via Leicester Square. Old Street is also under 15 minutes from Kentish Town station.
Multiple buses make their stop on Kentish Town High Street and take you through the city’s centre. London bus route 88, for example will take you to Clapham Common via central stops such as Piccadilly Circus. The 134 bus terminates at University College Hospital/Euston Road. The N20 route is also a convenient 24 hour service that may come in handy on weekend outings, although the Northern Line also operates a 24 hour service on the Charing Cross branch Fridays and Saturdays! The overground is another plus, as it opens up other interesting London areas such as East London and Hampstead Heath.
Kentish Town Health Care
Researching an area is never complete without a bit of information on the local health care services. From General Practitioners in Kentish Town you can register with, to opticians or dentists, having an understanding of what healthcare options you are surrounded by is one of the key factors when picking which area to live in. Kentish Town has a number of such services, more information on which you can find below.
GP: Over five General Practitioners can be located within a 10-minute walk from The Stay Club Kentish Town, allowing you to research the practise better suited to you. For more information, the NHS Service Search is a great way to get acquainted with your local GPs!
Dentist: Kentish Town hosts numerous dental services, including Kentish Town Dental Services. If you want to visit a friendly team and get your dental services on a discount, you can do so by visiting our partners, NW1 Dental Care, located a short walk in lovely Camden.
Optician: Spending a lot of time in front of a screen and with your nose buried in books as a student, it’s a good thing to have a few opticians nearby. Thankfully Kentish Town has over 10 options within a one-mile radius from The Stay Club Kentish Town. Have a browse through the local opticians on the NHS Service Search.
Kentish Town High Street
Although Kentish Town is considered a residential area, the High Street is filled with shops of all shapes and sizes to browse through. Let’s dive into them in a bit more detail.
Grocery Shopping
Kentish Town High Street has a great mix of supermarkets, grocery stores and convenient stores too. Four well known supermarket chains can be located, catering to a variety of budgets, alongside a number of stores where you can buy various bits and bobs you may want for your house (from cleaning supplies to kitchenware). Earth Natural Foods is a notable mention for food supplies in the area, as it caters to a variety of dietary requirements offering organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and whole foods and products.
Stores
If you are looking to update your wardrobe or grab a gift or two, then Camden is just around the corner. The Stay Club Kentish Town is located an estimated 15 minutes from Camden Market, where vintage clothing shops and London memorabilia are to be found. High street brands and independent shops can be found dotting Camden High Street, whereas the newly renovated Buck Street Market also plays host to a lovely selection of shops. If you are looking for stationery or books, there are options for you on Kentish Town High Street. Booklovers may appreciate this sidenote too: the Kentish Town library can be found five minutes from The Stay Club!
Things to do in Kentish Town
The mix of things to do in Kentish Town is really interesting! Things like the area’s numerous traditional pubs that have been around for ages, or its top cocktail bars are reserved for the food & drink section below. In the meantime though, there are so many things to write about that don’t necessarily include eateries.
– Hampstead Heath: An astounding 790 acres filled with lush greenery, great walking paths and more. Insider’s tip? Check out the Hampstead Pergola for some truly stunning open-air views.
– The O2 Forum in Kentish Town: catching a live gig is made easier when there is a well-known events venue in under 15 minutes from your home (did we mention that’s on foot?). The programme is diverse and renews frequently, so it’s a good idea to keep on scrolling through it every once in a while!
– Kelly Street: Go off the beaten track to find residential streets that are worthy of your admiration. Lovely houses in pastel colours placed next to each other that will make you feel as if you’re walking in a fairy-tale!
– Parliament Hill Fields Lido: Just next to Gospel Oak, there is a quite large pool (60 metres to be precise) that you can make the most of year-round. As in, 365 days!
– Brewery Tours: Yes, you heard that one right! One of the most unique and exciting things on the schedule is touring the Camden Town Brewery, located just next door to Kentish Town West Overground station, the famous home of the Hells Lager!
Food and Drink in Kentish Town
There are so many cool restaurants in Kentish Town, and even more places to grab a pint! So much so, that we have created separate guides so you can sway around the area with confidence. Kentish Town is a space well known for pubs that have been around for decades, as well as restaurants that cover a very wide range of cuisines. If you want to go into more detail we recommend scrolling through the Best Restaurants in Kentish Town or the Pubs and Bars in Kentish Town blogs. That being said, we have done a roundup of some local classics for your enjoinment below.
– The Pineapple: The local sentiment is one of adoration for this well tucked away boozer, which has been around since 1868. Fun fact? The cuisine is far from pub classics- it will treat you to a noodle infusion Thai menu!
– Camden Town Brewery: We may look like we are repeating ourselves, but it’s worth mentioning that the home of the Hells Lager also has a bar with cute tables laid out on the cobblestone alley. With fairy lights too! A great setting for those post-lecture drinks.
– Neighbourhood Organic: In between a café, working space and nutritious lunch serving spot, this new entry on Kentish Town High Street has gained a reputation with the local community very quickly.
– Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream: London’s first Filipino ice cream parlour is located on the high street, and it’s one dedicated to offering a cultural experience. If you are a sweet tooth, then this one is probably a coveted destination!
The list could go on for miles!
All in all, Kentish Town is a wonderfully diverse area with nearby popular destinations, eateries and drinking spots of all shapes and sizes. Its location balances between the perks of a residential neighbourhood, and the abundant variety of shopping, eating and drinking destinations of Central London! Surrounded by a wealth of sights, it’s a great option for students looking to live in a quiet area with convenient commute options and lots of exciting places at their doorstep. If it sounds like the ideal pick for you, then it’s time to check out The Stay Club Kentish Town.
Related – Top 5 Things to Do in Kentish Town
The Stay Club has opened its doors in Kentish Town not long ago, and we’ve had some time to explore the neighbourhood by now.
