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Check out the street art
Camden is famous for many things, street art being one of them. The graffiti is inspired by countless different themes and it’s all switched up pretty regularly, but you’re guaranteed to see at least some that will blow you away.
Shopping at Camden Market
When in Camden, you can’t not visit the famous Camden Market, one of the best markets in London. Vintage clothes, jewellery, souvenirs, vinyls, posters, homeware… Everything is so unique you could spend hours getting lost in the maze of stalls. Just remember to bring cash if you plan on making any purchases. Also, beware of any pickpockets that might be hanging around the area. In fact wherever you are in London, it’s best just to keep your wallet hidden well away. Find out more about Camden Market here.
Lunch at KERB Camden
One of the best times to be in Camden Market is when the hunger pangs kick in and it’s time to stop for something to eat. There are so many delicious options at Kerb Camden that choosing between them takes serious consideration. Loaded mac and cheese from the Mac Factory, vegan pie and mash from Young Vegans, one of the best burgers in London from Burger and Beyond and WAY more. Whatever kind of food or cuisine you fancy, Kerb Camden is every foodie’s heaven. Find out more here.
Tube to Covent Garden
Once you’re done indulging in a metre-long hot dog or whatever you finally decide on, why not get a taste of central London for the afternoon? Take the Northern line from Camden Town down to Leicester Square and stroll a couple of minutes over to Covent Garden. The atmosphere around this area is always buzzing. Street performers are doing their thing almost every hour, there are tons of pubs and bars to stop for a drink, plus the overall atmosphere has a fun, London feel. It’s a great little area to check out, and nearby to loads more of the city’s best sights.
Views from Southbank
Looking over the River Thames, Southbank is one of our favourite spots for a drink or a stroll. Just a 15 minute walk from Covent Garden through some proper London sites including Trafalgar Square. To get to Southbank you’ll need to walk over the Golden Jubilee Bridge where you’ll get views of the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and more — a great spot to see multiple attractions all in one go!
See the Southbank skateboarders go for it in the undercover skatepark and stop for an al-fresco drink at the Southbank Centre if it’s not raining. If you’d prefer to see more of London, stroll half an hour down to Vauxhall Underground Station to see more stunning riverside views. You could even take a ride on the London Eye or see the London Dungeons if you fancy it — it’s all just minutes away.
Belushi’s for food and drinks
Getting back to Camden from Southbank is easy, just cross back over the bridge to Embankment station, hop on the Northern line and get off at Mornington Crescent (the nearest station to the hostel). If you opt for a walk along the river, from Vauxhall Underground Station it’s just 20 minutes to Mornington Crescent, taking the Victoria line to Euston and changing to the Northern line.
Have a tasty and cheap dinner at Belushi’s with a beer or cocktail to go with it. Think big, juicy burgers, sharing platters, chicken wings and more to set you up for a night out in Camden.
For guests staying at St Christopher’s, you won’t just get 25% off food at Belushi’s, but there are even 2 for 1 drink discounts all day, every day.
Party to Live Music
Camden’s live music scene is one of the best in London. Kick off the evening with drinks and dancing to the live music at Belushi’s. Then make your way over to KOKO, Jazz Cafe, Electric Ballroom and many more insane Camden venues for an awesome night out. The borough is famous for its nightlife so you can’t miss out on it! Check the venues’ websites to see what live music might be playing while you’re in London as you may need to buy your tickets in advance.
Day 2 in London from Camden Town
Tube to Free Museums
After you’ve filled up on the free hostel breakfast, make your way over to southwest London to check out the Natural History Museum. Don’t underestimate London’s more touristy attractions — this spot is one of the best for good reason. Entrance to the museum is free all day, everyday, and there is so much to see and do there. Spend a few hours exploring the different collections and get that great photo of Hope the Whale up the steps from the Hintze Hall. The museum is always adding more exciting exhibitions so even if you’ve been before, there’s bound to be something new to discover. Find out more here.
Lunch in Notting Hill
Notting Hill is one of the prettiest pockets of the city that we highly recommend if you’re planning 2 days in London. Full of colourful houses and pretty cobbled mews, the area is also known for its variety of delicious lunch options. Head to Electric Diner for all-day breakfast, Mam for Vietnamese food or Farmacy for healthy vegan options. These are just a few of our favourite lunch spots in Notting Hill, but sometimes the ones you stumble upon with no research whatsoever end up being a surprising delight!
Portobello Road Market
What’s a trip to Notting Hill without checking out the world’s largest antiques market? Portobello Road is one of our favourite markets in London. There are over 1,000 dealers specialising in all sorts from vintage fashion to bric-a-brac. Plus, you’ll often find strange but talented street performers doing their thing around the area. Make sure you check the market’s website for more info about what’s on for each day of the week. The half-day Thursdays are a particular one to bare in mind. Fridays and Saturdays are the best days to visit, with most of the stalls in full swing and hot food stalls set up to give it an even more exciting market atmosphere. Find out more here.
Kensington Gardens
One of London’s 8 Royal Parks, Kensington Gardens, is a lovely place to sit back and relax on a sunny day. Marvel at Kensington Palace, check out the Albert Memorial or explore the Serpentine Gallery if you’d like — Kensington Gardens lends itself to all weather. You can even walk over the Serpentine into Hyde Park next door, another great park to visit when the sun’s shining for a buzzing atmosphere on a summer’s day.
Fish and Chips at Poppie’s Camden
So we’ve established that Camden is a great place for foodies. When it comes to fish and chips, it’s home to one of the best. Get back on the Northern line to try Poppie’s Fish and Chips at the top of Camden High Street. The fishy formula cooked up here is award-winning. So if it’s an authentic ‘chippy’ experience in London you’re looking for, Poppie’s is the place. Plus they only use responsibly-sourced ingredients — another winner in our books. Find out more here.
Looking for somewhere to stay in Camden?
Check out St Christopher’s Inn
More information about things to do in Camden
Did you enjoy this article about things to do in and around Camden? Then check out these articles we’ve rounded up to help you plan your itinerary!
- Things to do in Camden Town from Visit London
- 9 Cool Things to do in Camden, London from Love and London
- The Top Things to do in Camden by Georgina Wilson-Powell from The Culture Trip
- Top Things to do in Camden Town London from Travel Passionate
- 15 Best Things to do in Camden from The Crazy Tourist
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