When you leave Camden Town tube station on the weekend, it’s exit-only. There’s no going back… you’re going to have to walk to Chalk Farm to get back onto the Northern Line, so you might as well take in as much of the wonderful madness of Camden while you’re at it. It’ll be like a bit like dream. You’ll see things you’ve never seen before. You’ll be momentarily transported to your leg-warmer wearing youth. You’ll breath in the smell of food from across the world. And you’ll get frustrated by the tourists. Here our some quick tips on where to head (and where to avoid!).
1. You’ll see some wonderful, nuts things in Camden…
2. Feel free to join the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
3. And sing a song with the Bang Bang chicken man.
4. For those with a foot/Converse fetish, you can’t miss the huge iconic shoes. (We always wonder if they’re made out of papier mâché?!)
5. Browse the shops on the high street for some flashbacks to your slightly cringe impulse buys of your teenage years…
6. Alongside fingerless gloves, tutus and ear plugs, you can also buy some crazy tights.
7. Or anything with a skull on it.
8. When all that reminiscing makes you hungry, head to the Camden Lock Market.
9. We’d go for either a hearty, melt-in-the-mouth portion of Mac Factory’s finest mac’n’cheese.
10. Or the most deliciously stuffed toasted sarnies we’ve ever had from Toastits.
11. For something sweet, slather that Nutella on at Crêpes à la carte.
12. Or for some cool nitrogen-made deliciousness, head to the incredible Chin Chin Labs.
13. If you’d rather a sit down meal, Shaka Zulu or Gilgamesh inject a bit of fun into themed-dining.
14. Or for a more authentic feel, the Italian restaurant, Goodfare, on Parkway always has a great atmosphere.
15. Camden Lock is pretty spectacular in the Spring sunshine.
16. Even if you do need to avoid the selfie sticks on the bridge…
17. You can walk off your scoffing along Regents canal.
18. And you if you fancy it, you can wander over to ZSL London Zoo and say hello to this handsome fella.
19. If you wait until the 25th March, the Land of Lions will be open!
20. Or if you’d rather avoid ‘monkeying’ around, carry on through the gorgeous Regents Park.
21. In the evenings, Camden is full of places to get your live music fix. Its most famous include The Roundhouse, Barfly & Electric Ballroom.
22. You’ll probably have to avoid multiple touts…
23. But if you haven’t got tickets there’s plenty of entertainment on the streets. Who knows who you might see…
24. … Cue the Bang Bang Chicken Man, again.
25. You’ll certainly be able to pick up free CD’s from people giving out their prospective albums on the street.
26. And for some visual stimulation, Camden’s famous and diverse street art will certainly appeal to the eye…
26. End your day with some locally brewed beer from the Camden Town Brewery, at the Brewery Bar. After all, Camden is a whirlwind experience and you deserve it.
27. …Or, if you fancy a wild one, there’s a party this Saturday (19th March) at Underworld Camden. Tickets are only £5, if you buy them through Fever.
Featured image credit: McGarry Bowen