How old is the Camden Market?

Camden Market in London was established in 1974. As of 2026, it is over 50 years old, having started as a small weekend arts and crafts market with 16 traders before growing into one of London's largest and most famous retail destinations. While the market is relatively young, the surrounding area has a long industrial history dating back to the 19th century.

What was Camden Market before it was a market?

Camden Market started off as a small arts and crafts fair in the backyard of Dingwalls. Originally it was temporary and only open on Sundays, however its popularity grew fast. Today we're the largest market in London, open seven days a week. Before Camden Market was born, gin was Camden's biggest industry.

Which is the oldest market in London?

Borough Market has a history spanning over a millenium and is widely considered London's oldest retail and wholesale food market. It's been operating at its current site since 1756. With over 100 stalls covering about 4.5 acres, Borough Market is also one of the largest food markets in the capital.

Why is Camden Market so famous?

Camden Market in London is famous as a vibrant hub for alternative fashion, unique crafts, global street food, and music, evolving from a small craft market into a sprawling cultural melting pot known for its eclectic atmosphere, canal-side setting, and iconic alternative scene that attracted bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols in the 70s and 80s. Visitors come for everything from vintage clothes and handmade jewelry to world cuisine, quirky gifts, and live performances.
 

Are there tunnels under Camden Market?

The Camden Catacombs are a system of underground passages in Camden Town in north London underneath part of the Camden markets, constructed in the 19th century, and as of 2012 owned by Network Rail.

The History of Camden Market

How long does it take to go around Camden Market?

You could spend a few hours to an entire day haggling prices and exploring what's on offer. The best days to visit are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the main stalls open between 10am to 6pm. Hop on a train to Euston, and then a short hop on the underground and check out this colourful London borough.

Is Camden rich or poor?

Camden, Westminster, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hounslow, Redbridge, Brent, Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Ealing, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham, Greenwich, Hackney, Haringey, Kingston upon Thames, Wandsworth, Barnet, Harrow and Waltham Forest all have significantly higher levels of poverty compared to England as a ...

What famous people live in Camden?

The largest and most varied area is the nearby 800 acres of Hampstead Heath, parts of which have been preserved for the public since 1871. Camden has been home to many famous people including John Keats, Charles Dickens, George Bernard Shaw and JB Priestley and continues to be the home for many celebrities.

What's under Camden Market?

All The Fun Of The Fair

This friendly alien gang have landed in Camden Market Hawley Wharf to create their subterranean theme park and you're invited. Perfect for kids and families, this other-worldly wonderland is home to a mini-rollercoaster, bumper cars, Ferris wheel and more.

What is the oldest thing in London?

Cleopatra's needle, an ancient Egyptian obelisk, is the oldest man made object on the streets of london. It dates from 1450 BC.

Was Harry Potter filmed in Borough Market?

Yes, Borough Market was a filming location for Harry Potter, specifically used as the exterior for the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, with the Knight Bus dropping Harry off on Stoney Street next to the market. The specific spot is near the Market Porter Pub, under the railway bridge, with a shopfront at 7 Stoney Street becoming the magical pub entrance in the third film.
 

Where did Amy Winehouse live in Camden Town?

Camden Square, Camden

No. 30 Camden Square marks the spot where Amy Winehouse passed away in 2011, in the house where she lived for many years. Fans frequently flock to the square to lay flowers and to leave a message on the road sign, sharing their love of the UK singer.

Who owns Camden Market?

Teddy Sagi. Teddy Sagi (Hebrew: טדי שגיא; born November 14, 1971) is an Israeli billionaire businessman based in London and Dubai. Sagi is the founder of the gambling software company Playtech, cybersecurity company Kape Technologies and owner of London's Camden Market.

Why is it called Camden?

Camden Town is named after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden. His earldom was styled after his estate, Camden Place near Chislehurst in Kent (now in the London Borough of Bromley), formerly owned by historian William Camden.

What is the famous pub in Camden?

In popular culture

The Hawley Arms features prominently in the Netflix miniseries Baby Reindeer, where it is fictionalised as 'The Heart'. The pub serves as a crucial setting for a key scene in which the main character encounters the antagonist (a notorious stalker) for the first time.

Where does Elton John live in London?

About Elton John's Home

From the outside this house in a dead end row seems unexceptional, but the inside is overwhelming. This is where Elton John lives when in London. The Holland Park area is one of the most elegant places in town and home to millionaires and VIPs.

Where to spot celebs in London?

By just strolling around some of London's major tourist attractions, you may get lucky and bump into a star or two. Generally speaking, Mayfair and Soho are the best areas to go celebrity spotting, as well as major tourist attractions like the London Eye and Piccadilly Circus.

What is the poorest area in London?

The poorest parts of London are concentrated in boroughs like Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Newham, especially regarding income deprivation for children and older people, with pockets of poverty also in Brent, Barking & Dagenham, and parts of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. These areas face high rates of poverty, with some wards like Northumberland Park (Haringey) and Stonebridge (Brent) being among the most deprived. 

Is Camden in London rough?

The crime rate in Camden is above the average for both London and the rest of the UK. The overall crime rate in Camden in 2023 was 118 crimes per 1,000 people with the main crime reported being other theft. This is likely due to the increased tourism in Camden Market.

Is Camden a white area?

Around 60% of Camden's population are White, 20% are Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh, 9% are Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African, 7% have Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups and 7% belong to Other ethnic groups.

What's the cheapest month to go to London?

When is the cheapest time to visit London? Usually, the period between January and March is the cheapest time to visit London, due to the cool temperatures, occasional rainfall, and lack of public holidays and events.

Is 4 days in London too long?

So just imagine what it must be like for the first-time visitor, overwhelmed by visions of Beefeaters, red telephone boxes and great stately castles, cathedrals and palaces. Four days is a solid amount of time to get a flavor of London and immerse yourself in its storied history and vibrant culture.