Editing Camden Town

{{Short description|Inner city district of London, England}}
{{For-multi|the tube station|Camden Town tube station|the electoral district|Camden Town (ward)|the song by Suggs|The Lone Ranger (album)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| region                   = London
| official_name            = Camden Town
| constituency_westminster = [[Holborn and St Pancras (UK Parliament constituency)|Holborn and St Pancras]]
| post_town                = LONDON
| postcode_area            = NW
| postcode_district        = NW1, NW5
| london_borough           = Camden
| dial_code                = 020 (London)
| os_grid_reference        = TQ295845
| coordinates              = {{coord|51.541|-0.1433|display=inline,title}}
| charingX_distance_mi     = 2.5<ref name=dist>{{cite web |url=http://united-kingdom.places-in-the-world.com/2653341-3345437-route-by-foot-from-charing-cross-to-camden-town.html |title=Route by foot from Charing Cross to Camden Town|website=United-kingdom.places-in-the-world.com |access-date= 14 May 2018}}{{Dead link|date=November 2022|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
| charingX_direction       = SSE
| static_image_name        = Camden Town 9.jpg
| static_image_caption     = Camden High Street, near where it becomes Chalk Farm Road (facing towards Chalk Farm)
| population               = {{#expr:{{london ward populations|00AGGF|population}}+{{london ward populations|00AGGG|population}}}}
| population_ref           = ({{london ward populations|00AGGF|ward}} and {{london ward populations|00AGGG|ward}} wards, {{london ward populations|year}}){{london ward populations|reference}}
}}
'''Camden Town''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-uk-LBCamden.ogg|ˈ|k|æ|m|d|ən}}) is an area in the [[London Borough of Camden]], around {{convert|4|km|order=flip}} north-northwest of [[Charing Cross]].<ref name="dist" /> Historically in [[Middlesex]], it is identified in the  [[London Plan]] as one of 34 major centres in [[Greater London]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Plan 2021 |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/the_london_plan_2021.pdf |date=March 2021|publisher=London City Hall|page=476}}</ref>

Laid out as a residential district from 1791 and originally part of the manor of [[Kentish Town]], Camden Town became an important location during the early development of the railways, which reinforced its position on the [[Blue Ribbon Network|London canal network]]. 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]].<ref name="Grdn2024">{{cite news |last=Thorne |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Thorne|title=Back to black? Amy Winehouse, Camden Town and the survival of London's perennial music playground |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/31/back-to-black-amy-winehouse-camden-town-and-the-survival-of-londons-perennial-music-playground|newspaper=The Observer |date=31 March 2024}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:LONDON, MARYLEBONE by BARTLETT, F.A. and B.J. DAVIES.jpg|260px|thumb|The [[Civil parish#Ancient parishes|ancient parishes]], west to east, of [[Paddington]] and [[Marylebone|St Marylebone]] (in the modern [[City of Westminster]]), and St Pancras, including Camden Town (in the modern [[London Borough of Camden]]) in 1834]]

===Toponymy===
Camden Town is named after [[Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden]]. His earldom was styled after his estate, [[Chislehurst#Camden Place|Camden Place]] near [[Chislehurst]] in Kent (now in the [[London Borough of Bromley]]), formerly owned by historian [[William Camden]].<ref>Walford, Edward. "Camden Town and Kentish Town." Old and New London: Volume 5. London: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, 1878. 309–324. British History Online. Web. 18 September 2018. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol5/pp309-324.</ref> The name, which appears on the Ordnance Survey map of 1822,<ref name=mills37>{{Harvnb|Mills|2001|p=37}}</ref> was later applied to the early-20th-century [[Camden Town Group]] of artists and the [[London Borough of Camden]], created in 1965.<ref name=mills38>{{Harvnb|Mills|2001|p=38}}</ref>

===Urban development===
The emergence of the industrial revolution in the 19th century meant Camden was the North Western Railway's terminal stop in 1837. It was where goods were transported off the tracks and onto the roads by some of London's 250,000 workhorses.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Town|first=Camden Town Unlimited and Euston|date=2019-07-12|title=The History of Camden Market's 'The Stables'|url=https://medium.com/camden-town-unlimited/the-history-of-camden-markets-the-stables-69363507c02f|access-date=2021-10-22|website=Camden Town Unlimited & Euston Town|language=en}}</ref> The whole area was adapted to a transportation function: the Roundhouse (1846), Camden Lock and the Stables were examples of this.

Camden Town stands on land that was once the manor of [[Kentish Town]].<ref name="mills38" /> Sir Charles Pratt, a radical 18th-century lawyer and politician, acquired the manor through marriage. In 1791, he started granting leases for houses to be built in the manor.<ref name="mills38" /> In 1816, [[Regent's Canal|the Regent's Canal]] was built through the area.<ref name="Lon Ency">{{cite book|last=Hibbert|first=Christopher|title=London Encyclopaedia|publisher=Macmillan London Ltd|year=2008|page=123|isbn=978-1-4050-4924-5}}</ref> Up to at least the mid-20th century, Camden Town was considered an "unfashionable" locality.<ref name="world and its people">{{cite book |last = Dunton |first = Larkin |title = The World and Its People |url = https://archive.org/details/worldanditspeop05duntgoog |publisher = Silver, Burdett |year = 1896 |page = [https://archive.org/details/worldanditspeop05duntgoog/page/n37 29]}}</ref> The [[Camden Market]]s, which started in 1973 and have grown since then, attract many visitors. A [[1993 Camden Town bombing|1993 bomb blast]] injured 18 people on [[Camden High Street]]. On 9 February 2008, [[Camden Market#Camden Lock Village|Camden Canal market]] suffered a major fire, but there were no injuries.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Blaze ravages London market area|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7237119.stm|work=[[BBC]]|publisher=[[BBC]] | date=9 February 2008 | access-date=2 January 2010}}</ref> It later reopened as Camden Lock Village,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Camden Market continues strongly | url=https://www.minttwist.com/blog/camden-market-continues-strongly-after-fire/ | work=MintTwist | date=22 February 2008 | access-date=29 August 2014}}</ref> until closed in 2015 for redevelopment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.camdennewjournal.com/camden-market-closes-hawley-wharf-development-begins|title=Market closes down as Hawley Wharf development project begins|date=2015-01-28|author=Alina Polianskaya|publisher=[[Camden New Journal]]|access-date=2 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200124/http://www.camdennewjournal.com/camden-market-closes-hawley-wharf-development-begins|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Governance==
Camden Town was contained within the [[Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras]] between 1900 and 1965, when it became part of the new London Borough of Camden, of which it is the namesake and administrative centre.

===Political constituencies===
{{Update after|2028|5}}<!--4 years from may 24-->
Camden Town is contained in the following political constituencies for different purposes, listed with some incumbents:
*[[Camden London Borough Council]]: London Borough of Camden. 55 [[Councillor#United Kingdom|councillors]], Labour control
**The [[Camden Town (ward)|Camden Town ward]], created in 2020, returns two borough councillors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1107/introduction/made|title=The London Borough of Camden (Electoral Changes) Order 2020|date=12 October 2020|access-date=28 September 2021|website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref>
*[[Parliamentary constituency|UK Parliament]]: [[Holborn and St Pancras (UK Parliament constituency)|Holborn and St Pancras]]. [[Keir Starmer]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] (Prime Minister, elected MP for a five-year term on 5 July 2024)
*[[London Assembly]]: [[Barnet and Camden (London Assembly constituency)|Barnet and Camden]]. [[Anne Clarke (politician)|Anne Clarke]], Labour Party, four-year term from May 2024

==Geography==
Camden Town is on relatively flat ground at {{convert|100|ft}} [[Height above sea level|above sea level]], {{convert|2.5|mi}} north-northwest of Charing Cross. The area of Camden Town [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|Ward]] proper (ward code E05013655) is 60.30ha.<ref>{{cite web | title=Camden Ward Boundaries|website=Open Data Portal |publisher=London Borough of Camden |url=https://opendata.camden.gov.uk/d/cvwp-5m5j/visualization}} Web page allows a map to be selected, showing ward boundaries.</ref> To the north are the hills of [[Hampstead]] and [[Highgate]]; to the west is [[Primrose Hill]]. The [[culvert]]ed, [[subterranean river|subterranean]] [[River Fleet]] flows from its source on [[Hampstead Heath]] through Camden Town south to the [[River Thames]].<ref>Walford, Edward. "St Pancras." Old and New London: Volume 5. London: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, 1878. 324–340. British History Online. Web. 18 September 2018. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol5/pp324-340.</ref> The Regent's Canal runs through the north of Camden Town.

{{Geographic location
|title     = Neighbouring areas of London
|Northwest = [[Chalk Farm]] and [[Belsize Park]]
|North     = [[Kentish Town]]
|Northeast = [[Holloway, London|Holloway]]
|West      = [[Regent's Park]]
|Centre    = Camden Town
|East      = [[Islington]]
|Southwest = [[Fitzrovia]]
|South     = [[Somers Town, London|Somers Town]]
|Southeast = [[Kings Cross, London|Kings Cross]]
}}

==Economy==
[[File:Stables market.JPG|thumb|right|Stables market horse sculptures]]
At the end of the 20th century, entertainment-related businesses began moving into the area, and a [[Holiday Inn]] was built abutting the canal. A number of retail and food chain outlets replaced independent shops, driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants with a variety of culinary traditions thrived, many of them near the markets, on Camden High Street and its side streets, [[Parkway, Camden|Parkway]], Chalk Farm Road, and Bayham Street. The plan to redevelop the historic Stables Market led to a steel and glass extension, built on the edges of the site in 2006, and increased the market's capacity. The [[Dr. Martens]]' boot company global head office, including the design team, moved to Camden Town in 2017.<ref>{{cite web | title=UK Head Office | publisher=Dr. Martens | url=https://jobs.drmartens.com/role-uk-head-office | access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Zoe |title=Oh so pretty … political upheaval credited for Dr Martens sales boost |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/17/oh-so-pretty-political-upheaval-credited-for-dr-martens-sales-boost |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2019}}</ref>

===Camden street markets===
{{Main|Camden Market}}
Camden is well known for its markets. These date from 1974 or later, except for [[Camden Market#Inverness Street Market|Inverness Street market]], for over a century a small food market serving the local community,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://camdennewjournal.com/article/camdens-oldest-market-inverness-street-could-go-under?sp=1&sq=Camden%2527s%2520oldest%2520market%2520in%2520Inverness%2520Street%2520%2527could%2520go%2520under%2527 |title=Camden's oldest market in Inverness Street 'could go under' |newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=11 February 2010 |author=JOSIE HINTON|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312032650/http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2010/feb/camdens-oldest-market-inverness-street-%E2%80%98could-go-under%E2%80%99|archive-date=12 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> though by 2013 all foodstuff and produce stalls had gone and only touristy stalls remained. [[Camden Market#Camden Lock Market|Camden Lock Market]] proper started in a former timber yard in 1973, and is now surrounded by five more markets: [[Camden Market#Buck Street Market|Buck Street market]], [[Camden Market#Stables Market|Stables market]], [[Camden Market#Camden Lock Village|Camden Lock Village]], and an indoor market in the [[Camden Market#Electric Ballroom|Electric Ballroom]]. The markets are a major tourist attraction at weekends, selling goods of all types, including fashion, lifestyle, books, food, junk/antiques and more bizarre items; they and the surrounding shops are popular with young people, in particular, those searching for "alternative" clothing. While originally open on Sundays only,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.camdenmarket.com/about-us | title = Open since 1974 – It all started with 16 stalls | publisher = Camdenlock.net | access-date = 7 January 2019}}</ref> market activity later extended throughout the week, though concentrating on weekends.

==Transport==
[[File:London waterbus.jpg|thumb|The Regent's Canal waterbus service]]

===London Underground===
[[Camden Town tube station]] is near the markets and other attractions. {{stl|London Underground|Chalk Farm}} and {{stl|London Underground|Mornington Crescent}} tube stations are also within walking distance. This station is a key interchange station for the [[Northern line]], both northbound (towards Edgware or High Barnet/Mill Hill East) and southbound (via Bank or Charing Cross).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/stationsandinterchanges/2303.aspx |title=Stations and interchanges: Camden Town |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=2 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016183359/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/stationsandinterchanges/2303.aspx |archive-date=16 October 2009 }}</ref>

When the station was designed in 1907 the line, and the station, had to pass exactly below the narrow streets to avoid having to pay landowners for access. The platforms of the station are consequently very narrow, and the station has one platform directly above another. There is an air raid shelter under the station used during the [[Second World War]]; many stations were used {{Em|as}} air raid shelters, but few had dedicated shelters.<ref name=tube/>

After the area increased in popularity with the introduction of the markets the narrow platforms became dangerously overcrowded, particularly on Sunday afternoons. [[London Underground]] made many proposals to upgrade the station. In 2004 a proposal requiring the compulsory purchase and demolition of 'the Triangle'—land bordered by Kentish Town Road, Buck Street and Camden High Street—was rejected by Camden Council after opposition from local people; of 229 letters, only two supported the scheme. It was later planned to [[Camden Town tube station#Future expansion and upgrade|redevelop the station]] entirely between 2020 and 2024/5, with less demolition than proposed previously, but the redevelopment was postponed in December 2018 by TfL "until we have the funds we need";<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/camden-town-capacity-upgrade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207140644/https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/camden-town-capacity-upgrade|archive-date=7 December 2021|title=Camden Town capacity upgrade|website=Transport for London}}</ref> no work had been announced {{As of|2023|9|lc=y}}.

Early in the 21st century the station closed to outbound passengers on Sunday afternoons due to the danger of overcrowding on the narrow platforms during busy market hours.<ref name=tube>{{cite web | title=Camden Town station in London | website=The London Link|author=laurambir | date=19 January 2023 | url=https://londranews.com/english/camden-town-station-in-london/}}</ref> Mornington Crescent, Chalk Farm, and Kentish Town stations, within walking distance, remained open. The restriction was extended temporarily due to escalator renovation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://camdennewjournal.com/article/camden-town-tube-station-made-exit-only-during-evening-rush-hour|title=Camden Town tube station made 'exit only' during evening rush hour |newspaper=Camden New Journal |date=9 January 2018 |author=Richard Osley}}</ref> and  removed due to reduced traffic during the peak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|covid pandemic from 2020]], but the Sunday afternoon closure continues, and outbound access is via a long spiral staircase instead of an escalator at other busy times when many market visitors arrive.

===Rail===
{{Stnlnk|Camden Road}} is a [[London Overground]] station at the corner of Royal College Street and Camden Road, on the [[Mildmay line]]. The nearest [[National Rail]] station is {{stl|London Underground|Kentish Town}} station on the [[Thameslink]] route on the [[Midland Main Line]]. [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras International]], [[Euston railway station|Euston]], and [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]] terminals are within 20 minutes' walk of Camden Town.

===Bus routes===
The area is a major hub for [[London Buses]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/nightbusesnorthlondon-13836.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916044929/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/nightbusesnorthlondon-13836.pdf |archive-date=2008-09-16 |url-status=live|title=Night buses in north London|website=Transport to London|access-date=2 November 2009}}</ref> The following routes serve Camden Town: [[London Buses route 24|24]] (24 hour), [[London Buses route 27|27]], [[London Buses route 29|29]], [[London Buses route 31|31]], 46, [[London Buses route 88|88]] (24 hour), [[London Buses route 134|134]] (24 hour), 168, 214 (24 hour), [[London Buses route 253|253]], 274 and Night Bus Routes N5, N20, N27, N28, N29, N31, N253 and N279.

===Roads===
[[File:Camden Lock.jpg|thumb|The twin Camden Locks]]
Parts of the A503 (Camden Road) and A400 (Camden High Street and Camden Street) are designated as [[Red route#Congestion reduction|red routes]] on which vehicles may not stop for any reason, managed by [[Transport for London]] (TfL) rather than the [[London boroughs|borough]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/red-route-central-area-map.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605021909/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/red-route-central-area-map.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=live|title=Red Routes: Central Area|website=Transport for London|access-date=2 November 2009}}</ref> [[Hackney carriage|Black taxi]]s ply for hire in the area and there are [[Taxicab|minicab]] offices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legacy.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/camdemtown/executive_summary.pdf|title=Executive summary|year=2004|publisher=[[Greater London Authority]]|access-date=29 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818014538/http://legacy.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/camdemtown/executive_summary.pdf|archive-date=18 August 2012}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic, from about March 2020]] roadworks were carried out to make many side roads more suitable for cycling and reduce vehicle traffic. This led to traffic jams described as "gridlock", and opposition.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Calls to reverse low traffic scheme on 'gridlock' roads |last=Weatherby |first=Bronwen |newspaper=Camden New Journal |date=8 October 2020 |url= http://camdennewjournal.com/article/calls-to-reverse-low-traffic-scheme-on-gridlock-roads }}</ref>

=== Cycling ===
[[Transport for London]] and [[London Borough of Camden|Camden Council]] both provide and maintain [[cycling infrastructure]] in Camden Town. Segregated [[cycle track]]s run alongside Royal College Street to the east of Camden Town, past Camden Road railway station.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/|title=OpenStreetMap|website=OpenStreetMap|language=en|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> Cycling provision changes from time to time—in particular, cycling provisions were added during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020]]. Current provision information (open and proposed cycle routes, Santander Cycles docking stations) is on the TfL Web site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cycle |website=Transport for London|url= https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/cycle}} Updated as required.</ref> The [[CycleStreets]] [[mobile app]] finds suitable routes throughout the UK, including Camden Town.

The Regent's Canal [[towpath]] is a shared-use pedestrian and cycle path maintained by the [[Canal & River Trust|Canal and River Trust]]. The towpath links Camden Town to [[Angel, London|Angel]] and King's Cross to the east, and [[Regent's Park]] and [[Maida Vale]] in the west.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/canal-cycling-routes|title=Canal cycling routes {{!}} Canal & River Trust|website=canalrivertrust.org.uk|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406232851/https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/canal-cycling-routes|archive-date=6 April 2019|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>

The London-wide [[Santander Cycles]] cycle hire scheme operates in Camden Town. There are several docking stations, some near rail and Tube stations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/docking-stations|title=Santander Cycles Docking stations|website=Transport for London|language=en|date=1 September 2023}}</ref>

Cycle counters on Royal College Street to the north of Camden Road railway station recorded over 375,000 journeys between August 2017 and July 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.camden.gov.uk/Transport/Camden-Cycle-Counters-Map/v5qd-8qnn|title=Camden Cycle Counters Map - Open Data Portal|website=London Borough of Camden|language=en}} Continuously updated bicycle counters in Camden</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://camdencyclists.org.uk/2018/07/summary-of-four-years-cycle-counts-in-royal-college-street/|url-status=live|title=Summary of 4 years' cycle counts in Royal College Street (2014-2015 to 2017-2018)|date=2018-07-13|author=Jean Dollimore|website=Camden Cyclists|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901105840/http://camdencyclists.org.uk/2018/07/summary-of-four-years-cycle-counts-in-royal-college-street/|archive-date=1 September 2018}}</ref>

===Regent's Canal===
[[File:Camden Lock, London - UK.jpg|thumb|A warm summer day at the Camden Lock]]

{{Main|Regent's Canal}}

Regent's Canal runs through the north end of Camden Town. Canal boat trips along the canal from Camden Lock are popular, particularly in summer. Many of the handrails by the bridges show deep marks worn by the towropes by which horses pulled canal barges until the 1950s, and it is still possible to see ramps on the canal bank designed to assist horses that fell in the canal after being startled by the noise of a train. [[Camden Lock]] is a regularly used traditional manually operated double canal lock operating between widely separated levels. A large complex of weekend street markets operates around the Lock. The [[towpath]] is a pedestrian and cycle route which runs continuously from [[Maida Vale#Little Venice|Little Venice]] through Camden Lock to the [[Islington Tunnel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regent's Canal cycling route - 4.6 miles |website=Canal & River Trust |access-date=1 October 2021 |url= https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/canal-cycling-routes/regents-canal-cycling-route}}</ref> A [[Transport on the Regent's Canal|regular waterbus service]] operates along the Regent's Canal from Camden Lock. Boats depart every hour during the summer, heading westward around Regent's Park, calling at [[London Zoo]] and on towards Maida Vale. Sightseeing narrow-boat trips run from Camden Lock to Little Venice.

==Notable places==
[[File:Ambedkar house1.jpg|thumb|[[Ambedkar]] House]]
[[File:Camden Town - Graffiti.jpg|thumb|[[Street art]] close to the [[Camden Market]]]]
[[File:Electric Ballroom punks.jpg|thumb|[[punk subculture|Punks]] close to the [[Electric Ballroom]]]]
[[File:Camden High Street 2009.JPG|thumb|Shops on Camden High Street (picture facing towards Chalk Farm)]]

* [[The World's End, Camden|The World's End]], across the road from Camden Town Tube station, formerly known as Old Mother Red Cap<ref name=redcap>{{cite web | title=World's End / Mother Red Cap, Camden Town | website=Layers of London | url=https://www.layersoflondon.org/map/records/world-s-end-mother-red-cap-camden-town | access-date=14 November 2024}}</ref> or Mother Damnable's, is both a historical pub and alternative live music venue built in 1690. The venue is one of the largest in London, with three floors and two bars, and has seen notable patrons, ghostly sightings and more throughout its long history as Camden's biggest pub. 
* [[The Underworld (venue)|The Underworld]] is a popular music venue underneath The World's End.<ref name=redcap/> Responsible for bringing alternative music scenes to London; this venue has seen the likes of Mötley Crüe, Bring me the Horizon, The Smashing Pumpkins and more performing within its walls.
*[[Roundhouse (venue)|The Roundhouse]] is a former [[locomotive]] [[Railway roundhouse|roundhouse]] constructed in 1847 for the [[London and North Western Railway]]. It later had various uses, including a corn and potato store, Gilbey's gin warehouse, and eventually became derelict<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crht1837.org/locations/roundhouse|website=Camden Railway Heritage trust|title=The Roundhouse|access-date=10 May 2017}}</ref> until it was converted to a theatre, arts centre and music venue in 1966,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2cWgJC0KCGj7SbKYZjg093B/the-roundhouse-at-50-from-gin-joint-to-cultural-tonic |title=The Roundhouse at 50: From gin joint to cultural tonic |website=BBC Arts |date=21 October 2016 |author=BRIAN MORTON |access-date= 10 May 2017}}</ref> later closed, and reopened in 2006 as a theatre and music venue.<ref name="guardian-2006">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2006/may/29/architecture|title=What goes around ...|last=Rose|first=Steve|date=29 May 2006|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=10 May 2017}}</ref>
*[[Camden Catacombs]] ''(see also [[Catacombs of London]])'', not true [[catacombs]] but an underground area largely underneath the Camden markets, originally used as stables for horses and [[pit pony|pit ponies]] used to shunt railway wagons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camden Catacombs and Horse Tunnels |last=Catford |first=Nick |website=Subterranea Britannica |date=1 January 1987 |url= https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/camden-catacombs/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.camdenguide.co.uk/news/catacombs.html|url-status=dead|title=Camden Catacombs|date=n.d.|website=Camden Guide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516132423/http://www.camdenguide.co.uk/news/catacombs.html|archive-date=16 May 2006}}</ref> Not open to visitors due to danger of flooding.
*[[St Pancras Old Church]]
*[[Church of Our Lady of Hal, Camden|Our Lady of Hal]], Catholic church for the area
*[[St Michael's Church, Camden Town]]
*Greater London House, formerly the [[Carreras Cigarette Factory]] and now offices housing several companies, a striking [[Art Deco]] [[Egyptian Revival architecture|Egyptian Revival]] building dating from 1926 to 1928, stands at [[Mornington Crescent]] and is distinguished by a pair of {{convert|8.5|ft|adj=on}}-high bronze statues of the Egyptian cat goddess [[Bastet]].
*The [[Jewish Museum London]], until closed in 2023.
*The [[Royal Veterinary College]] on Royal College Street, founded in 1791
*[[Arlington House (London)|Arlington House]], originally one of the [[Rowton Houses]] providing low-cost overnight accommodation, now housing a conference centre but still providing low-cost rooms and flats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arlington.org.uk/sites/default/files/onehousing-arlington-conference-centre-brochure2016.pdf |title=Arlington Conference Centre brochure |year=2016|archive-date=8 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808072829/http://www.arlington.org.uk/sites/default/files/onehousing-arlington-conference-centre-brochure2016.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The unusual [[Sainsbury's, Camden|Sainsbury's supermarket and flats on Camden Road]] were designed in a [[High-tech architecture|high-tech style]] by [[Nicholas Grimshaw]] and built in 1988 on the site of the former large [[Aerated Bread Company|ABC Bakery]].<ref>[http://www.locallocalhistory.co.uk/ctown/p150/pages159-165.htm locallocalhistory.co.uk: The Aerated Bread Company, and The New Sainsbury Building]</ref>
* The [[Hawley Arms]] is a pub and music venue which became well known in the 90s as a hub for the indie and alternative music scene in London.<ref name="Grdn2024"/> It was [[Amy Winehouse]]'s favourite pub.<ref>{{cite web | last=Perry | first=Kevin EG | title=Remembering The Hawley Arms, the Pub That Became Indie's 2000s Hub | website=VICE | date=29 November 2017 | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/hawley-arms-camden-pub-amy-winehouse-indie-2000s/}}</ref>

===Camden Highline===
{{main|Camden Highline}}
A new park and walkway utilising the former railway alignment between Camden Town and Kings Cross was given planning permission in January 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://londonist.com/london/news/camden-highline-first-phase-camden-gardens-royal-college-street|title=Planning Approval Granted For London's New 'Garden In The Sky'|author=Laura Reynolds|publisher=[[Londonist]]|date=2023-01-20|access-date=2023-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archpaper.com/2023/01/london-approves-planning-first-section-camden-highline/|title=Rails to Trails: London approves planning for the first section of the Camden Highline|publisher=[[The Architect's Newspaper]]|author=Kristine Klein|date=2023-01-23|access-date=2023-01-24}}</ref>

==Notable people==

[[File:Amy Winehouse Statue, Camden (14946739033).jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|Bronze statue of [[Amy Winehouse]] in Camden Town, London unveiled in September 2014]]
*Love Island Series 10 Runner up and business owner, [[Whitney Adebayo]] was born and raised in Camden Town.
* [[B. R. Ambedkar]] (social reformer, jurist and LSE graduate) lived at 10, King Henry Road, Camden Town, now known as Ambedkar House, in 1921 and 1922.
*[[Beryl Bainbridge]] lived in Albert Street from the 1960s until her death in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kellaway|first=Kate|title=The secret art of Beryl Bainbridge|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/may/15/beryl-bainbridge-paintings-kate-kellaway|access-date=7 December 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=15 May 2011}}</ref>
*Playwright [[Alan Bennett]] lived in [[Gloucester Crescent, Camden|Gloucester Crescent]] for many years. [[Margaret Fairchild]] (aka Miss Shepherd) lived in a van on his driveway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://camdennewjournal.com/article/lady-in-the-van-house-is-becoming-derelict-and-needs-restoration-work |title='Lady In The Van House' is becoming 'derelict' and needs restoration work |newspaper=Camden New Journal|date=20 November 2020|author=Richard Osley }}</ref>
*Comedian [[Roisin Conaty]] was born and grew up in a Camden [[council house]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hogan |first=Michael |date=2020-04-25 |title=Roisin Conaty: 'Standup is a confidence game. You sell the sizzle, not the sausage' |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/apr/25/roisin-conaty-standup-is-a-confidence-game-you-sell-the-sizzle-not-the-sausage- |access-date=2023-11-07 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
*[[Charles Dickens]]'s second London home was in Bayham Street in 1822. He later moved to 112 Little College Street (now College Place),<ref>{{cite news|last=Jolly|first=Emma|title=Charles Dickens in Camden|url=http://www.londonhistorians.org/index.php?s=file_download&id=19|date=February 2011}}</ref> where he boarded with Elizabeth Roylance, a family friend, whom Dickens later immortalised as "Mrs. Pipchin" in ''Dombey and Son''.
*Singer [[Eliza Doolittle (singer)|Eliza Doolittle]] grew up in the area.
*Jazz Musician [[Nubya Garcia]] was born and grew up Camden Town.
*Actor and singer [[Anthony Head]] was born in Camden Town.
*Physicist, mathematician, and engineer [[Oliver Heaviside]] was born in Camden Town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Archives biographies: Oliver Heaviside 1850–1925|url=https://www.theiet.org/membership/library-archives/the-iet-archives/biographies/oliver-heaviside-1850-1925/|publisher=The Institution of Engineering and Technology|access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref>
*Actor [[Freddie Highmore]] was born in Camden Town in 1992.
*Actor [[Daniel Kaluuya]] was raised on a [[Public housing in the United Kingdom|council estate]] in Camden Town.
*[[Ashley Keane]], former professional footballer for [[Torquay United F.C.]], was born in Camden in 1981.
*Dancer and actress [[Donna King]] teaches at her studio in Camden Town.
*Drag queen [[Lady Camden]] was born in Camden before moving to California in 2020.
*Author and journalist [[Bernard Levin]] grew up in Camden Town's Plender Street.<ref>{{cite book|author=Levin, Bernard|title=Enthusiasms|year=1985|url=https://archive.org/details/enthusiasms000levi|url-access=registration|publisher=Coronet|pages=[https://archive.org/details/enthusiasms000levi/page/80 80–82]|isbn=0-340-36927-2}} Retrieved 14 December 2013.</ref>
*Actress and dancer [[Louisa Lytton]] was born & raised in Camden Town.
*Music Band [[Madness (band)|Madness]] are from and grew up in Camden Town and surrounding areas.
*Hip-hop trio [[N-Dubz]] are from and grew up in the area.
*[[Richard Ryan (biographer)|Richard Ryan]] lived in Camden Town from 1819 until his death in 1849.
*Boxer [[Tom Sayers]] lived in Camden, and died at No. 257 Camden High Street in 1865. The house now has a plaque.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/71|title=Tom Sayers – Blue Plaque|website=openplaques.org|access-date=14 December 2013}}</ref>
*Painter [[Walter Sickert]] lived and worked as part of the [[Camden Town Group]] in Mornington Crescent.<ref>{{cite news|title=Walter Sickert Nudes: An underworld stripped bare|last=Dorment|first=Richard|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3669068/Walter-Sickert-Nudes-An-underworld-stripped-bare.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506033814/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3669068/Walter-Sickert-Nudes-An-underworld-stripped-bare.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 November 2007}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1908 he painted a group of four paintings collectively titled ''[[The Camden Town Murder]]'', in reference to the notorious [[Camden Town Murder]] case of 1907.
*Poet [[Dylan Thomas]] owned a house at 54 [[Delancey Street, Camden|Delancey Street]] from 1951 until his death in 1953.<ref>{{cite web|title=1950s to Dylan's death|url=http://www.dylanthomas.com/index.cfm?articleid=5398|publisher=City and County of Swansea|access-date=7 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205125744/http://www.dylanthomas.com/index.cfm?articleid=5398|archive-date=5 February 2012}}</ref> There is a plaque on the house today.
*Journalist and novelist [[Sean Thomas (writer)|Sean Thomas]] lives in Camden.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-deep-absurdity-of-hs2-diversitys-agenda/|title=The deep absurdity of HS2's diversity agenda|work=[[The Spectator]]|first=Sean|last=Thomas|date=26 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009080542/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-deep-absurdity-of-hs2-diversitys-agenda/|archive-date=9 October 2023|quote=This is because I live exactly where Camden Town meets Primrose Hill – and where Britain's first intercity railway tore through inner London (around 1837), surging out of London's first mainline station: Euston.}}</ref>
* Bandleader [[Pasquale Troise]] lived at Rochester Terrace in the 1930s.<ref>'Mandoliers in Car Crash: Troise Injured', in ''The Manchester Guardian'', 13 June 1938, p.11</ref>
*Singer [[Amy Winehouse]] lived in Camden Town for many years. First buying a flat at 2 Jeffrey's Place in 2003 and then at 25 Prowse Place in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Police could step in to disband Amy's paparazzi army|url=http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/police_could_step_in_to_disband_amy_s_paparazzi_army_1_628567|access-date=1 July 2014|newspaper=Ham & High|date=22 August 2008|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714120330/http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/police_could_step_in_to_disband_amy_s_paparazzi_army_1_628567|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, she moved to 30 Camden Square where she was found dead on 23 July 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Cherry|title=Amy Winehouse found dead aged 27 in London home|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jul/23/amy-winehouse-found-dead-27|access-date=7 December 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=23 July 2011}}</ref> Winehouse was strongly associated with Camden Town.<ref name="Grdn2024"/> Since her death she has been entitled as "The Queen of Camden" and a bronze statue of her was placed in [[Stables Market]] on what would have been her 31st birthday, 14 September 2014.

==Media==
[[File:Tvam building 2009.jpg|thumb|The former [[TV-am]] building, right]]

===National===
{{main|Breakfast Television Centre}}
To the north of Camden Town station and running along the canal is a modern [[pop art]] complex designed by [[Terry Farrell (architect)|Terry Farrell]] as the studios of the former [[TV-am]], now used by [[MTV (UK and Ireland)|MTV]]<ref name="Lon Ency"/> but retaining TV-am's eggcup sculptures along the roof line. [[Associated Press Television News]] has its head office in a former gin warehouse near Camden Lock called "The Interchange".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aptn.com/80256FE4003BCAD4/Head_office_map.pdf|title=APTN Head Office Map|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103122853/http://www.aptn.com/80256FE4003BCAD4/Head_office_map.pdf|archive-date=3 January 2010|publisher=Associated Press Television News}}</ref>

===Local===
The ''[[Camden New Journal]]'' is a free, independent weekly newspaper that covers the London Borough of Camden.

Camden tv, Web site with short films about Camden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.camden.tv/ |title=Welcome|website=Camden.tv|access-date=17 September 2024}}</ref>

==In popular culture==

<!--Entries need to be reliably sourced, and to relate to, rather than merely mentioning,  Camden Town-->
{{In popular culture|section|date=September 2024}}
===In literature===
*Author [[Charles Dickens]], a onetime resident of Camden Town,<ref>{{cite book|last=Pope-Hennessy|first=Una |author-link=Una Pope-Hennessy|title=Charles Dickens 1812–1870|publisher=Chatto and Windus|location=London|year=1945|page=11|chapter=The Family Background}}</ref> placed various characters and places in his stories there as well: [[Bob Cratchit]]'s family in ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' (1843); the [[Wilkins Micawber|Micawbers]] in ''[[David Copperfield]]'' (1850); and in ''[[Dombey and Son]]'' (1846–1848), a description of the building of the [[London and Birmingham Railway]], includes a trip through Camden Town.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thecnj.com/review/2009/042309/stgeorge042309_03.html|title= Camden's famous faces|date=23 April 2009 |publisher=Camden New Journal|access-date=6 November 2009}}</ref>
*[[E. Nesbit]]'s 1904 children's novel ''[[The Phoenix and the Carpet]]'' is set at 18 Camden Terrace, Camden Town.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rosenberg |first=Teya |chapter=Generic Manipulation and Mutation: E. Nesbit's Psammead Series as Early Magical Realism |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Raymond E. |title=E. Nesbit's Psammead Trilogy: A Children's Classic at 100 |year=2006 |page=72 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810854017 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FLERfuhpRSMC&pg=PA72}}</ref>
*[[John Betjeman]]'s poem "Business Girls" is set in Camden Town.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecnj.com/review/020906/features020906_01.html|title=Betjeman's great defender|first=Jane|last=Wright |date=2006|newspaper=Camden New Journal|author=<!--not stated-->}}</ref>
*The climax of [[John le Carré]]'s 1974 spy novel ''[[Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy]]'' occurs in a [[safe house]] at 5 Lock Gardens in Camden Town, a fictitious address modelled after real-life St. Mark's Crescent.<ref>Paula Span, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1992/10/11/tinker-tailor-soldier-tourist/328617f0-4b73-4c6e-9377-1fbd48c5db2e/ ''TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER... TOURIST''], ''The Washington Post'', accessed 27 January 2016</ref>

===In film and television===
*The 1986 cult comedy film ''[[Withnail and I]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Withnail & I |website=Channel 4 |access-date=1 October 2021 |url= https://www.channel4.com/programmes/withnail-i}}</ref> is set in Camden Town in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |title=On Location: The London pub from Withnail & I |last=Scovell |first=Adam |work=Little White Lies |date=23 November 2019 |url= https://lwlies.com/articles/on-location-the-london-pub-from-withnail-i/}}</ref>
*The 2008 [[Mike Leigh]] film ''[[Happy-Go-Lucky (2008 film)|Happy-Go-Lucky]]'' largely takes place in Camden Town.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/apr/20/culture.mikeleigh |title=Film of the week: ''Happy-Go-Lucky'' |work=The Observer |author=Phillip French |date=20 April 2008 |access-date=21 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/4551/mike-leighs-london-locations.html |title=Mike Leigh's London locations |last=Calhoun |first=Dave |work=Time Out |access-date=21 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515180033/http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/4551/mike-leighs-london-locations.html |archive-date=15 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*In 2019, Disney, along with ''[[Passion Pictures]]'' and ''[[Atomic Cartoons]]'' produced the TV Show ''[[101 Dalmatian Street]]'', which is based in Camden Town
*The character [[Spider-Punk|Hobie Brown / Spider-Punk]] in the 2023 film ''[[Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse]]'' is from Camden Town.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=How Daniel Kaluuya's Cockney-Speaking, Authority-Defying Spider-Punk Came to Life |url=https://www.gq.com/story/spider-punk-daniel-kaluuya-across-the-spider-verse |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref>
*There were scenes set at Camden Lock (actually filmed in Liverpool) in the TV series ''[[Peaky Blinders (TV series)|Peaky Blinders]]''.<ref>{{cite web | last=Blinders | first=Peaky | title=The Secrets Behind the Set | website=Peaky Blinders| url=https://peakyblinders.tv/exclusive/the-secrets-behind-the-set/ | access-date=14 November 2024}}</ref>

===In music===
*The song "Camden Town" by [[Suggs (singer)|Suggs]] (1995)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.songplaces.com/Camden_Town/Camden_North_London_England |title=Camden Town by Suggs in Camden, North London, England<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=15 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215212849/http://www.songplaces.com/Camden_Town/Camden_North_London_England |archive-date=15 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*The song "Come back to Camden" by [[Morrissey]] from the album ''[[You Are the Quarry]]'' (2004)
*The song "Guided Tour of Camden" by [[Charlie Sloth]], 2007
*The song "Camden Town" by [[Heather Alexander]] from the album Enchantment - Uffington Horse, 2004<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camden Town, by Alexander James Adams |url=https://heatheralexander.bandcamp.com/track/camden-town |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Alexander James Adams |language=en}}</ref>
*The rap song "Camden Town" by music collective Active Gxng, most notable rapper in Active Gxng being [[Sus (rapper)|Sus]]

===In games===
* In ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019 video game)|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare]]'' (2019), a mission named "Clean House" is set in Camden Town.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2019-10-27 |title=''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare'' Easter Egg Calls Out Players Who Keep Shooting the Baby |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-easter-egg-calls-out-players-who-keep-shooting-the-baby/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-10-26 |title=''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare'' has a special message for players who keep shooting the baby |language=en |website=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-has-a-special-message-for-players-who-keep-shooting-the-baby |access-date=2023-08-09}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{citation|title=Dictionary of London Place Names|year=2001|surname=Mills|first=Anthony David|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=0-19-280106-6}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|London/Camden}}
* [http://www.camdentownlondon.co.uk/ Camden Town London website] – News about the Camden Markets and Camden Town
* [http://www.camdentown.co.uk/ Camden Town Online] – The original Camden Town website, est. 1996
{{LB Camden}}
{{London Districts}}
{{Goth subculture}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Camden Town| ]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Camden]]
[[Category:Major centres of London]]
[[Category:Business improvement districts in London]]
[[Category:Restaurant districts and streets in England]]
[[Category:Places formerly in Middlesex]]