Camden Town remains a popular, vibrant, and essential London destination, though it has transitioned from its raw, alternative 1980s roots into a more polished, tourist-heavy, and gentrified spot. It is still considered "cool" for its unique, colorful atmosphere, extensive markets, live music, and diverse street food, despite criticisms of being overcrowded or commercialized.
These days, Camden is still home to a number of unusual stores, tattoo studios, cool shoe shops, and brightly colored buildings. Camden is home to a spectacular market as well. It reminded me of the markets by San Lorenzo in Florence more than anywhere else.
The area's industrial economic base has been replaced by service industries such as retail, tourism and entertainment. The area now hosts street markets and music venues associated with alternative culture.
A must visit when in London. Camden is where you get to see a bit of Old England. There are street markets as you walk from the train station to Camden Locks/Camden market. You also see storefronts decorated in interesting themes. Maybe even a street performer or two.
At the other end of the spectrum, the borough of Camden was declared London's (and the UK's) most dangerous place to live. It has a crime rate more than triple that of Sutton (194.8 per 1,000 people) and was given an overall safety score of just 0.87 out of 10.
Camden Market London | Ultimate Camden Town Travel Guide Vlog
Is Camden safe to walk at night?
Camden is generally safe at night, especially in quieter residential areas. However, areas with vibrant nightlife may experience more anti-social behaviour, so it's best to remain cautious late at night.
Since 2012, homicides in the city of Camden have fallen 82%. In addition, the city saw a 6% decrease in violent crime compared to 2024, along with a 32% decline in sexual assaults, and a 12% drop in robberies.
At the same time, Camden is also greatly changing through its gentrification which is changing its identity. Long-standing black-owned businesses are disappearing, and with them, cultural markets that helped black Londoners feel at home.
Besieged in the second half of the twentieth century by losses of population and economic instability as industry declined, Camden lost its once premier standing as it struggled with high levels of poverty, crime, and environmental degradation.
Camden Town is located in London, England. It is the inhabitance of the Jewish gang members of Alfie Solomons. Alfie's illegal alcohol business masquerades as a bakery at the top of the Regents Canal.
Homicides and violent crime in Camden fell again in 2025, with city officials saying the latest numbers mark the safest year the city has seen in decades.
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. Camden today is a multi-cultural area at the heart of London and will no doubt continue to evolve and change over the next 2,000 years.
London's safest and quietest neighborhoods are typically the most affluent. Mayfair, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, and Chelsea are largely residential and very safe to walk around at any hour. Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia are also excellent, peaceful choices.
Camden is the third most dangerous borough in London. The overall crime rate in Camden in 2025 was 115 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to London's overall crime rate, coming in 35% higher than the London rate of 85 per 1,000 daytime population.
The Camden County Police Department said the city recorded 12 homicides in 2025, five fewer than in 2024, as violent crime overall fell 6%. The city also recorded its first homicide-free summer in 50 years. Camden has been experiencing historic declines in crime since 2021.