North London - London for Tourists - page 84

9.1 Camden and Inner North London

Camden's vibrant energy provides the buffer between bohemian North London and shining
Central London. Further east the quirky streets around Angel epitomize the cute delights to
be found when you venture north in the city. Despite the geographical proximity to Central
London, this area has fiercely protected and promoted its originality, preferring to turn dis-
used warehouses into quirky markets rather than glass-fronted offices. Shopping, drinking,
sights, sport, parks, restaurants...there's a little something for everyone here, and it's always
imbued with an effervescent vibe.

Travel Essentials

This area is well serviced by the Northern, Victoria, and Piccadilly, Underground lines.
Alight at Camden or Chalk Farm (for Camden), and use a variety of stations for the other
experiences. While the area is full of interesting walks, you'll need to use the Underground
to get around. Note that Camden has a longstanding reputation for drugs and there's always a
few characters offering marijuana and mushrooms to tourists at the markets. It's never more
than a minor annoyance, just don't join them in sparking up along the canal.

Essential Experiences

• £FREE - Camden's Markets seemingly endless assortment of stalls make

for a bewildering shopping experience, each tiny shack finding a niche mar-
ket in wares from sunglasses to cushions, cyber outfits to what you'd find
on a shipping container from India. It's a warren of activity and shops do
everything to entice you in, see if you can spot the gyrating dancers on podi-
ums outside Cyberdog. For the bursts of color and vibrant atmosphere, Cam-
den's Markets are arguably North London's number one tourist experience,
complete with cheap funky food stalls to keep you energized. There are four
almost interconnect markets to choose from; The Lock Market is the most
famous and is beside Stables Market , the largest of them (these are the two
that most people mean when saying Camden Market). Buck Street Market
is home to cheap fakes and Chinese imported junk, while Inverness Street
Market is the smallest and oldest. For all these markets alight from Camden
Underground Station and turn right.