London borough of Camden » Entertainment » Attractions

London's famous neighbour offers a number of things to do and see. Shop at Camden's markets, where you'll find all sorts of goods at cheap rates. Explore every nook and corner of these markets. Visit London Zoo and take a boat trip along Regent's Canal. Experience live music at any cafe and have a pint in a pub. Don't forget to watch the street art.

Top Ten Attractions in Camden

Regent's Canal

The Regent's Canal is a 13.8km (8.6miles) long canal situated north of Central London and forms a link between the Paddington Arm of Grand Union Canal, Limehouse Basin and River Thames in East London. Along its travel path, the canal crosses over Regent's Park, Camden, Islington and Mile End to Limehouse and finally merges into River Thames. The canal is used today for pleasure cruising, waterbus services between Maida Vale and Camden. It is also used for leisure walks, and its towpath is used by cyclists.

London Zoo ( Visit Site )

London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo, which opened in 1828. It houses more than 650 species of animals & birds. The zoo is also called Regent's Zoo. It is managed by the Zoological Society of London and is located on the northern edge of Regent's Park. ZSL London Zoo contains a reptile house, public aquarium, inset house and children's zoo. The Zoo arranges various activities and programs, including adopting an animal, interacting face to face with animals and being a part of the Zoo's daily activities. Several animal enclosures have been named such as: 'Blackburn Pavilion' for tropical birds, 'Gorilla Kingdom' for Western Lowland Gorillas, 'Butterfly Paradise' with several butterfly species, 'Meet the Monkeys' to protect black-capped squirrel monkeys and many more.

Address: Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom

St Pancras Old Church

St Pancras Old Church is located on Pancras Road in the London Borough of Camden. It is one of the oldest Christian worshipping sites. The church is dedicated to martyr St. Pancras and served as the church of the parish. Initially, it was just known as St Pancras Church, but after the construction of St Pancras New Church, a little away from the old site, the original church came to be known as St Pancras Old Church. The old neighbourhood of St Pancras Church was isolated due to frequent flooding and lost its glory and parish status when the new St Pancras Church was built in 1822. The church got damaged during the Second World War, and restoration took place afterwards to bestow its past glory.

Address: Pancras Road, Camden, London, NW1 1UL, U.K.

St Michael's Church

The main Anglican church in Camden Town, the congregation of St. Michaels Church began in 1887. A parish church held services at various temporary locations under the guidance of Father Edward Penfold. The brick construction of this church is renowned for its architecture, proved by its Grade II listing. The renovation of church took place in 2005 with the addition of a new roof. The Church is connected to St Michael's Church of England Primary School.

Address: Fr. Nicholas Wheeler & Parish Office, 191 St.Pancras Way, London NW1 9NH, United Kingdom

Camden Catacombs

The Catacombs of Camden are one of the surprises that Camden Town offers. Catacombs are a system of underground passages, underneath part of the Camden markets. These catacombs, built in the 19th century, were used as stables for horses and also as a track for railway wagons. Today, no one can access the catacombs as they are directly linked to a huge canal basin and is prone to the danger of getting flooded.

Location: Underneath Camden Lock Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1, United Kingdom

Greater London House

Greater London House (Carreras Cigarette Factory) is Camden Town's largest office building and was initially built as a cigarette factory in the 1930s. Many find visiting an office building a little boring, but history lovers appreciate its art-deco construction. It is a well known historical landmark of Camden Town.

Camden Lock

Camden Lock is a small area of Camden Town located on the Regent's Canal and to the north side of Hampstead Road Locks, a twin manually operated lock. Camden Lock refers to the market area next to three waterways with twin locks built in the 19th century. Camden Lock was London's first craft market, and it has retained its focus as a market for crafts. It is one of the famous markets in the world packed with stalls selling crafts, handmade jewellery, clothes, antiques, food and many more things.

Camden Markets

The importance of Camden Markets can be judged by its rating as the fourth most visited destination in London. The largest street market in the U.K., with over 100,000 shoppers crowding the streets every weekend, Camden markets are several retail markets together referred to as Camden Market. These include the Camden Lock Market, Camden Stables Market, Camden Canal Market, Inverness Street Market and Camden (Buck Street) Market. The streets are filled with a variety of speciality shops selling anything from designer clothes to alternative clothing, bags, furnishings, antiques, jewellery, arts, accessories, etc. Shopping is always complemented by food, so there are many bars, and restaurants, street food stalls to wind up your shopping spree.

Covent Garden

Located in the southwest corner of the borough of Camden, Covent Garden is a district in London whose main attraction has always been its market - Covent Garden Piazza. The Garden is a shopper's paradise with a wide range of clothes, antiques, jewellery and gift articles. The area has several restaurants, coffee shops offering thirst-quenching beverages.

BT Tower

One of the most recognisable towers in North West London, BT Tower was built in the 1960s as a telecommunications tower. This 189-metres (620-ft) tower was formerly known as the GPO Tower, the Post Office Tower, British Telecom Tower. A revolving restaurant was the main attraction of the building, but it was closed to the public for security reasons after the bombing in 1971.

Address: 60 Cleveland St, London W1T 4JZ, United Kingdom

Parks and Open Spaces

Camden has over 70 parks and public spaces to enjoy outdoor activities or simply relax with children and family. These heritage parks have been around for a very long time, thus giving the area a lovely, old-world feeling.

Parks such as Russell Square and Bloomsbury Square designed and landscaped by well-known architect Humphrey Repton are a favourite among locals. Some private parks like Waterlow Park and Leighton Crescent Gardens are now made open to visitors.

Hampstead Heath

A vast spread of grassland, woods and ponds, Hampstead Heath (fondly known as "the Heath") is the ancient parkland in London, covering an area of more than 790 acres. This sprawling piece of land is ecologically diverse with ancient woodlands, open-air swimming pools, ponds, fishing lakes, playgrounds and training tracks. The highest point is at Parliament Hill, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. For kids, getting to see different kinds of birds and ducks and playing in the grounds and pools is a fun experience. The Heath is surrounded by a number of attractions such as the Kenwood House (known for lakeside concerts), South End Green, Hampstead Village, Highgate and of course plenty of pubs!

Regent's Park

Regent's Park is an official member of the Royal Parks of London. Regent's Park envelops a huge area of 166 hectares, and therefore its location partly covers both Westminster and Camden. The park contains a wide range of amenities like a garden, lake, waterfowl, sports ground, playground and area reserved for boating. London Zoo is located on the north side of the park. It also contains the Zoological Society of London, Queen Mary's Gardens, Open Air Theatre, Regent's University London, and many more renowned institutions.

Address: The Store Yard, Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NR, United Kingdom

Primrose Hill

A little away from Regent's Park is Primrose Hill, a public park named after the hill at the centre of the park. Many celebrities, actors and artists live in or visit the neighbourhood as it is home to some fantastic restaurants and bars. A climb on the steep but small hill will lead you to a perfect picnic spot offering amazing views of a London panorama. The park's amenities include an outdoor gym, a children's playground, and toilets.

Address: Regent's Park Road, NW8/ NW3, Camden, United Kingdom

Bloomsbury Square

Bloomsbury Square is the oldest garden square in Holborn, Camden, London. Formerly known as Southampton Square, it was developed in the late 17th century for the 4th Earl of Southampton. The square attracts quite a lot of attention since it was London's first residential square.

Address: Bloomsbury Square, WC1A 2RJ, United Kingdom

Kilburn Grange Park

Previously a part of the Grange Estate, the Kilburn Grange Park opened its gates in 1913. A large park is situated right behind Kilburn High Road with the shadow of shops on the street as its background. The park encloses a children's playground, tennis courts, basketball court, gardens and woodlands.

Address: 7th Floor, Camden Town Hall Extension, Argyle Street, WC1H 8EQ, United Kingdom

Hampstead Cemetery

Hampstead Cemetery is located on Fortune Green Road in West Hampstead, London and covers 26 acres of area. A public footpath running from Fortune Green Road to Cricklewood divides the cemetery. It is managed by Islington and Camden Cemetery Service.

Address: 69 Fortune Green Road, London, NW6 1DR, United Kingdom

Lincoln's Inn Fields

Lincoln's Inn Fields is a huge and oldest public square in London developed in 1630. It was opened to the public in 1895. Lincoln's Inn Fields takes its name from the adjacent Lincoln's Inn. The grassed area of the field has a tennis court, netball court, and a bandstand.

Address: Newman's Row, London WC2A 3TL, United Kingdom

Swiss Cottage Open Space

The Swiss Cottage Open Space was created as a part of the expansion of the Swiss Cottage library and leisure centre. The emphasising part of this open space is its fountains with jet streams. Besides, the fountains are shores of grass and granite and a children's playground.

Address: London NW3 3NR, United Kingdom