Essential Hotels > England > London > Camden

A simple mention of Camden Town and the image conjured up is one that revolves around markets, markets selling clothes, CDs, arts, crafts, fruit and vegetables, posters, antiques and more. It is thought that some 100,000 people visit the markets each weekend and in the region of five million people each year, paying testament to the sheer popularity of this north London destination. Not only is the town famous for its six markets, it is also known for its club and music venues as well as its bars and restaurants, of which there are many, pertaining to the alternative culture that has been developed.

Camden is in fact the UK's largest street market and is found to the east of Regent's Park, London Zoo and Lord's Cricket Ground. The very heart of London is situated to the south of this suburb and here you would expect to find the likes of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. A canal runs through this part of the city and canal boating takes on added popularity during the warmer summer months. Other more conventional methods of reaching Camden are by underground; Camden station is set in the town while there is also a train station in the locality too.

The town was first laid out in 1791 as part of Kentish Town and it took on quite an important role in relation to the city's wider canal network. Camden was named after Charles Pratt the first Earl of Camden whose estate near Chislehurst, Kent was known as Camden Place. Pratt, through marriage, acquired the manor of Kentish Town and this is where the site of Camden stands to this day. Towards the end of the 18th century Pratt began to grant leases for houses to be built in the region and in 1816 the Regent's Canal was built. It was not until 1973 that Camden's markets were introduced to the area and they grew further into what we see today.

Camden Lock Market is the original Camden market and sells a whole host of arts and crafts while the Stables Market is the largest of the six markets and has clothing, music and antiques on offer in the main. Buck Street Market, also known as the Cages, provides a choice of clothes and CDs and the Canal Market sells a range of clothes, food and posters. Inverness Street is the place to pick up your fruit and vegetables as well as other traditional items and finally, the Electric Ballroom is a music venue that doubles up as a market selling clothes.