Camden Town is named after the 1st Earl Camden, who married into the landowner’s family in 1749. He heartily encouraged developers to build residential homes, but they didn’t take off until the early 19th-century.
In 1816 the Regent’s Canal was dug to link the Thames to the Grand Junction Canal, which headed off to Paddington, and this attracted industrial firms and factories. Euston Station was opened a little while after, and by the middle of the 1800s Camden Town was full of houses – just like the Earl wanted.
Camden’s markets are on a par with Notting Hill’s Portobello Road, and attract over 10 million visitors a year. They spread out between Chalk Farm Road and Camden High Street, taking in Camden Lock along the way.
Try and go on Sunday if you can, as all the individual markets will be open. They are great for jewellery, clothes, and art and crafts.
If you enjoy this then try: Camden Lock (you can walk it in 7 mins); Camden Markets (you can walk it in 6 mins); Jason’s Trip (catch the tube from Camden Town to Jason’s Trip) and Roundhouse (walk it in 12 mins or catch a train from Camden Town to Roundhouse).