London attractions are not only confined to the usual attraction's such as Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge and the British Museum. There is another facet to experiencing the vibrant life of London city living and that is visiting one of it's many varied market venues. From flea markets to antique markets to popular food markets and farmers markets. The list just stretches on and on. I find each market to have it's own individual character and offer something new to suit every one’s personal tastes.
In previous posts, I have written about the world famous "Portobello Market" and "Borough Market", both of which are fabulous in their own and unique way. Today, I wish to bring all my Steemian compadres to busy old Camden town and it's incredibly varied and eclectic mix of markets, vintage shops, tasty street food, musical outlets and all things punk and goth.
Camden Market started out as a collection of attractive crafting workshops located next to Camden Lock in the early 1970's. Over the years, it expanded all the way from "Camden Town Tube Station" to "Chalk Farm Tube Station". The market totals over 1000 stalls offering a spectacular range of merchandise, including vintage and fashionable clothes, jewellery, designer bags, antiques, arts and crafts. Catering for a whole plethora of diverse products for it's huge crowds. In fact, it draws in millions of visitors each year and is considered one of London’s most popular and trendy attractions.
There are three main market areas: Buck Street Market, Camden Lock Market and Stables Market. At first, they appear to blend in together with the throngs of crowds and retail shops lining the streets. Though I assure you, they are separate, lol!
So let begin this exciting journey into the exploration of one of London's most popular tourist destinations.
Camden Buck Street Market
Camden Town can be easily accessed via Camden Town Station (using the underground) or Camden Road (using the overground).
Once out of the Camden underground, I could immediately feel a different cultural vibe side of London. Actually unlike anywhere else within this sprawling city. There was a very alternative sense of fashion, replete with punks, rockabillies and goths emblazoned on people’s funky outfits or on available merchandise in shops. No wonder people say Camden Market has long been London’s most iconic alternative culture utopia!
A short walk up the road from the Station, I came across an outdoor Camden market which sells mostly budget jeans, second-hand clothes and cheap records (Beatles) etc. You will find the cheapest souvenirs here (though it does make you wonder if there's some rare collectors edition tucked away somewhere that's worth thousand, lol). I found the exact same fridge magnet I bought in central London early this year, was about 40% off here. What a bargain! If you are a tourist, this place is great for purchasing memorabilia and gifts at the best prices possible.
It was actually quite a lot of fun to wander through the alleyways and explore the hidden gems Camden Market has to offer. I could probably spend a day here and never tired of it, lol. My favourite has to be all the handcrafted products of offer. A vintage camera chain necklace caught my attention and following on from a bit of haggling (it's my day job after all, lol), I got it for just seven pounds. Such a great find! It certainly made my day and there was so much more to check out, lol.
Camden High Street
Strolling down Camden High Street, you will see shops on both sides and the collective giant shop signs, is definitely a local landmark of Camden.
Camden is also famous for its many shoe shops. This is, after all, the spiritual home of "Doc Martens" (an extremely well known British brand of footwear).
There were some truly stunning pieces of artworks decorated the streets of Camden. Many of which have themselves become major tourist attractions over the years!
I still can't get over the varied mixture of styles, both old and new, that you won’t get anywhere else. If you are a seeker for "unique, creative and out-of-the-box" fashion, then Camden is the place to go. You will find so many young, upcoming and talented designers selling their jewellery, bags, clothes, home furnishings and much more. I also love the quirky shops that cater for amusing posters and pictures as well as a variety of hip-hop street wear, punk clothing, and lots of other "leather-based" goodies, lol.
So many places to buy such fascinating and rare products. In fact, one stall that particularly attracted me was one called Namaste that was filled with mosaic lamps, rainbow stripes, beads and beautiful embroidery. Very colourful indeed. They are fair trade clothing and imported accessories all the way from India and Nepal. As I mentioned, something for everyone.
There are many more stalls featuring exquisite artwork that I'd not ever seen before. Can’t wait for my next wait to this spellbinding place !
Camden Street Arts
Bursting at the seams with culture, Camden is also renowned for its intriguing street art that portray celebrities, fashion, British culture and many more cultural themes. I found graffiti appearing on walls, shop doorways and even on the sides of residential buildings. Not too sure how the owners feel about that though, lol!
Really love the way the graffiti artworks were created using an assortment of different colours, textures and styles. Each one offering up it's own personalized messages. Below are some of the dynamic pieces that I found really stood out from the crowd.
A Much Needed Coffee Break
After walking around all morning and soaking up the lush Camden’s atmosphere, I felt like need for an all-important coffee break and rest. I wandered into Hawley Arms fo the first time ever. And it actually turned out to be a very cool bar.
The main part of the bar is decorated with rock n roll memorabilia, but not so much as you find it all up in your face. The atmosphere was really chilled. In fact, it had an almost lazy, relaxing feel all around with big comfortable sofa chairs and a warm fire place. Just the ticket!
Apparently, this was the pop sensation Amy Winehouse’s local pub. I was quite impressed with their drinks menu too. They included Abbot Ale, a guest ale hand-pull, fine bourbons and a dozen strong wine list. The food selection covered the usual pub classics like fish and chips or pies from Pieminister. And all for about a tenner. Finally to top it all off, there's live music on the first Monday of every month (and the occasional gig too). Another great find in the heart of Camden!
Well, seeing as it was too early for any alcohol-based drinks at this time, I just stuck to my smooth tasting coffee for now. But it's a venue I will definitely be returning to for a good night out with the girls.
And there was still so much to see in this great town buried within the heart of this great city...
(To be Continued)
伦敦必去景点除了大笨钟，伦敦眼，塔桥和大英博物馆等名胜以外，最不能错过的是这里的周末露天市集。走过市集，才能深入了解伦敦当地人的生活文化。伦敦的市集有很多，而且各有主题和特色，如二手市集，复古和食物市集等等，应有尽有，一定有你喜欢的。
在之前的帖子里，我向大家介绍过著名的Portobello和Borough市集。他们各具特色，很受欢迎。今天我要带Steemit的朋友们去最繁华的老卡姆登镇(Camden Town)。它是由多个不同的市集组成，应该算是伦敦规模最大，花样最多的综合露天市集吧。这里除了各种复古纪念品和街头美食，也以另类的服饰，前卫文化和青少年叛逆，朋克摇滚的风潮而闻名。
卡姆登市集是从20世纪70年代早期在Camden Lock旁边的一些工艺作坊发展起来的，如今它已从卡姆登镇地铁站扩展到Chalk Farm地铁站。市场总共有超过1000多个摊位，销售的商品包括复古潮流服饰，名牌手袋和古董等，应有尽有。每到周末，这里绝对是人山人海。它每年吸引数百万游客，被称为伦敦最受欢迎的时尚景点之一。
卡姆登有三个主要市集：Buck Street 市集，Camden Lock市集和Stables市集。三个市集距离很近就像是连在一起，但其实各自是独立的。
不多说了，现在让我带大家一起来逛卡姆登市集吧！
Buck Street 市集
卡姆登镇位于伦敦东北处，交通便利。大家可以乘搭地铁到Camden Town 站，也可以选择地上铁前往Camden Road站。
刚出地铁，我就能感受到与伦敦其它地方不同的文化氛围。这里除了观光游客，还有很多打扮“超级夸张”的英国人，有满脸满身刺青的，或是头发梳得很夸张的，也有很多黑色皮衣皮裤，都充满朋克前卫感。难怪人们说卡姆登是伦敦最具代表性的混搭风格市集，呵呵！
没走多远，我就来到了Buck Street 露天市集。这个市集是由大大小小不同风格和建筑集结而成，主要销售二手衣服，饰品和纪念品等。这里卖的纪念品比伦敦中心的专卖店便宜多了，还可以讨价还价！建议需要买手信回国的朋友可以来这里看看哦，呵呵。
我最喜欢闲逛市集挖宝 ，所以在这里呆上一天我都不会累，哈哈。手工制品是我的最爱，一条复古式项链带老式相机链坠吸引了我。经过讨价还价，我以7镑的价格买了下来，好开心哦！
卡姆登主街
沿着卡姆登主街逛，你会看到两排都是商店街，最有特色的就是他们满街奇形怪状的立体街招，从一只只挂在楼房上的巨型波鞋到电眼巨龙，简直是语不惊人誓不休的感觉！这里绝对是卡姆登的地标。
英国知名的鞋类品牌“Doc Martens”就是出产在这里，所以卡姆登镇也以其众多的鞋店而闻名。
沿着街道继续往前走，淋漓满目是更多的手工制品，二手衣服，首饰以及古董，吸引了众多的游客。如果你是独特，创意的时尚追求者，这里就是天堂！非常多年轻有才华的设计师在这儿摆卖相当富有创意的珠宝，箱包，衣服和家居摆设等等。还有各式怀旧的海报和照片，以及朋克街头服装和皮革制品，真是应有尽有。有一家店名叫Namaste特别引起了我的注意。店里满是迷人的马赛克灯饰，五彩的珠子和美丽的刺绣。据说商品都是从印度和泥泊尔进口过来的，很有特色。 正如我所说，这里品种齐全，总有一样是你喜欢的，呵呵。
街头涂鸦艺术
丰富多彩的卡姆登镇也以它的街头艺术而闻名，是许多艺术家聚集的地方。街头涂鸦都非常有创意，描绘名人，时尚，英国文化以及跟政治等主题，出现在街道外墙上，商店门口或是住宅楼两旁，到处充满了艺术气息。
我本人好喜欢这些涂鸦作品尤其是它的创作方式，使用了各种不同颜色，涂料和风格，创作出一件件超有个性的艺术作品！以下是我个人精选，希望大家喜欢。
咖啡时光
逛了一整个上午，走得有点儿累了，于是决定喝杯热热的咖啡，放松一下，这才是休闲娱乐的意义嘛！我们走进附近一家看起来很酷的酒吧，名叫Hawley Arms。
酒吧内全是摇滚纪念品的装饰，与卡姆登镇独特的文化气息很相符。舒适的大沙发和暖暖的火炉，让人有一种非常轻松惬意，甚至慵懒的感觉，哈哈！
据说，这也是流行音乐名人Amy Winehouse常来的酒吧。让我大开眼界的要数他们的饮品系列，有Abbot 麦酒和种类繁多的啤酒，优质波旁酒和来自世界各地的葡萄酒等等。菜单也是酒吧经典，像炸鱼薯和馅饼，都是10英镑左右，挺划算的。
另外，这里每个月第一个星期一都会有现场音乐表演。哈，又发现了一个和朋友相聚的好地方，太棒了！
（未完待续）
Kentish Town of Camden has been my home in London for 12 years. Camden to me is the heart of London. You have people living or visiting here everyday from all walks of life. It just has this certain flowing energy about it. With its bustling markets, places to eat, also with the pubs and clubs there too. Everyone talks about the Hawley Arms I think that pub is overrated the best pub in Camden is The Good Mixer. The Good Mixer became more of a drinking hotspot when Oasis, Blur and other Britpop band members started hanging out there during the 1990s. Also with the pub live music venue called the Dublin Castle on Parkway.
I thought if you were in Camden Town you might of took a walk along the Regents Canal to Regents Park or London Zoo or walked along from Camden Stables via Chalk Farm up to millionaire park of Primrose Hill.
Anyway thanks for sharing this fantastic post about Camden Town.
Hello @makkizakki, I couldn't agree more. Camden is such an interesting and fascinating place to visit. You are really lucky to live there and enjoy the various markets and delicious food!
Taking a relaxing stroll along the Regents canal is a fantastic suggestion, thank you. Then there's always the option of taking a narrowboat trip from Camden to Little Venice, which I mentioned in my previous post, lol.
Thank you for taking time to comment. :)
Your welcome and thank you so much for sharing your post about Camden Town.
Have you been up to Abbey Road Studios yet?
So you can take the famous walk across the Abbey Road crossings.
Yes! Abbey Road is one of my previous posts, lol. And yes, I couldn't resist taking a sneaky snap of some good friends of mine standing on that famous crossing. :)
That is fantastic to hear. Good to see that your seeing more on the street level and not hiding beneath the ground on the London Underground. You know I prefer to walk around London, cycle or get a bus. But so many people who travel on the tube they actually never see what is above the underground level. As many just travel to work and back home again. Travelling on the tube is just to weird for me. When you see people on the tube they are like the walking dead down there just numb to all life around them. It just shows you when people travel so far underground it can change their mindset into a completely different person.
It is a very historic and enchanting place the Camden, London. Very beautiful and colorful street photography . Nicely described blog. Thanks for the post.
Many thanks, @theia7. :)
Of my London memories, the ones from Camden Town are the strongest. And it's not hard to understand, the contrast between this part and other parts of London (of those I have visited) is so big. Thanks a lot for this guided tour, history lesson and beautiful pictures! Made me happy :))
I'm glad you enjoyed the article. Thank you for taking time out to comment, @jonasontheroof. :)
Wow... Camden High Street is just a giant work of art, isn't it? But that photograph from Buck Street of all the mannequin legs... that needs a poem written about it. Or something. lol
Lol... that's hilarious, right? Looking forward to your poem about it, haha. :)
Amazing post. I have family who live just round the corner from the market. I actually looked at each person to see whether you had somehow managed to get a snap of one of them!
Not only that, the pictures you have took are amazing. Vibrant and colourful. And I'll also add they show everyday life in Camden Town perfectly.
Thanks for sharing and good job!
Thanks for those kind words, @l5taylor. It certainly is a small world, right? What a coincidence it would have been if they actually WERE in some shots, lol. Who knows, maybe next time? :)
There is certainly a good chance of that considering they do some of their daily shopping in that market! All the best and keep up the good work! I followed you. If you get a moment, I would appreciate you following back!
Amazing post & pictures! I would definitely mark the spot on my google map!😘
Looking forward to visit there!
Cool place!
Indeed, it sure is very distinct culturally from the rest of London. :)
Hello,nice blog whit nice pictures.
Love Londen.
Greetings @rea
Thank you. :)
Welcome to Steemet
follow me @lomidze
Its only for you
(A good photograph is knowing where to stand.)
Good for future
鞋子我也喜欢。：）
是啊，这里好多品种好难选择哦，呵呵。
Its really an excellent work..keep it up @rea
Thank you @magicbot. :)
Wow, great photo's@rea . Brings back some really nice memories.
Thank you. :)
LOL at the stocking display.
Hope you caught some interesting stuff in HK too.
Lol... I hope so. Are you really planning to come to London this month?
No. I love to go back again after several years. :-)
Heard London is awesome. She's on ma list. Someday i will visit London.
She will love it here. :)
cool
It looks like such a beautiful place in London, you really managed to make us travel through your pictures. Actually I didn't know that area it looks so rich in culture ! especially like the lockets and tapestries there.
Oh, yes. I loved them the most! Those lockets look like they could be historic collectables.
@rea it's been a while. Love those photos on arts in Camden 💗 Thanks for sharing; i enjoyed the walk.
Thanks, @lemoncum. :)
I remember I bought my leather jacket at Camden market and spent ages haggling over £10 with the store owner (for fun as you do at markets). In the end we did a toss to determine the price 😀
Sounds like the perfect compromise! :)
色彩好丰富，感觉会眼花缭乱走不出这个集市
ohh wow!!!! this place is awesome............. <3
Great
I love those delicate stuffs. I think I can stay there for all day, too.
Me too! Thank you for stopping by. :)
That's why I love cities!
Beautiful place full of life and colors ...
Indeed, it has become one of my flavourite shopping place recently!
thank you :) and i will be traveling to london next week
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This was an interesting article with nice pictures! Looking forward to more from you!
Thank you. I look forward to seeing you in Lisbon next month!
The night markets kind of remind me of the ones in Thailand! Only a little cleaner haha.
Also, the graffiti art is SICK!
I remember the "punk market".
I went there when i was kid.
Someone ask legally to my mom if she want to buy specials mushrooms, they talked a lot even if she was not really interested in those things. It was funny
Thank you for your post.
Really professional!
Thanks very much, @jimy74. People can be are quite chatty and chirpy up there. :)
Camden is a fantastic place, a true gem in London's crown. I'm from South London but moved away when I was a teenager shockingly it was only this year I visited Camden for the first time. Thank you every so much for sharing, it makes want to head back there today :)
Oh wow, it's been such a long time! Well, it's definitely about time for a return visit I think. :)
Heading up to London at Christmas, 1st stop Camden :)
很有特点的手工小店儿。
同感 🙂
好棒!!!真想來逛逛~ :D
有机会过来吧，我做导游，呵呵😄！
好喔!!! 先感謝了!!! :D
Wow! So much visual art to look at.
Just amazing to see, @rea
Thanks for sharing these photos.
Wow! Hidden London!
I loved the leg shop and the watch shop and the New Rocks!
You could see where Diagon Alley was developed lol
Hello @michelle.gent, how are you and @soul1?
Come down to London, I will take you to shopping, lol.
Hey!
We're trying to make it for @allasyummyfood's meet!
Otherwise, it'll have to be after SteemFest!
I promise, one day! :)
Oh.. and we're both good thank you... busy is good, right?
How are you guys? <3
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STOPVow I like your amazing street photos, so original :). It look very fantastic place.