An Introduction to Camden's myriad markets, courtesy of the Spoonfed team
As much a London institution as bendy buses or overcrowding, Camden Market has survived everything from threats of commercial redevelopment to a freak fire in 2008, and is still one of the capital’s best places to soak up an atmosphere for free. Sure, it gets absolutely rammed at the weekend, and it’s easy to think it’s all just cannabis shops, alternative clothing outlets and tattoo parlours, but there’s much more to Camden Market than initially meets the eye.
Camden Market is actually comprised of six smaller markets: Camden Lock, Camden Stables, Camden Lock Village, Buck Street, Electric Ballroom and Inverness Street. Catering to every imaginable subculture, be it goth, indie, fetish, hippy, rasta or all of the above mashed together into a trendy new hybrid, Camden Market is like a sprawling world unto itself.
Each smaller market in Camden has its own particular feel and, sooner or later, everyone settles on a personal favourite. Stables market is the largest, made up of innumerable shops each one striving to be more eclectic than the last. There’s a ban on chain stores here, and you’ll find everything from cyber-goth style PVC garments to 20th century antiques or spiky handbags. Be warned: you’ll suddenly think of your tastes as distressingly conservative.
Camden Lock market, which partly overlooks the still waters of Regent’s canal, was traditionally a craft market, and that is still its main focus, but you’ll also find wonderful second-hand bookshops here, along with clothing and jewellery stalls to peruse at your leisure.
Returning like the phoenix from the fire of 2008 is Camden Lock Village market, formerly known as Canal Market, which, like the outdoor Buck Street market, specialises in clothing. This one’s perfect for a sunny Sunday.
Losing its former identity somewhat is the Inverness Street Market, which used to be home to a veritable cornucopia of fruit and vegetable stalls that has now been reduced to only a handful amongst more standard Camden market fare. Even so, it’s still worth a look.
Finally, the Electric Ballroom, which by night has been one of London’s most popular club-spaces and small rock venues, turns into an indoor market at the weekends. Attracting everyone from independent designers to traders of accessories, records, as well as retro and vintage fashion, the Electric Ballroom is the place to find quirky, unusual and outright cool items.
It’s a testament to Camden’s colourful character that its markets still attract so many visitors and that they have managed to weather the threats of redevelopment or even wholesale demolition over the years. There’s life in the old dog yet, and there’s a certain charm to its staunch refusal to smooth out its, ahem, rougher edges.
Click here for a further guide to Camden's Markets, and here for events in Camden.
Image courtesy of Gareth Williams
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