What Can I Do in Camden Town?

Step out of Camden Town tube station on any weekend and join a mass of people soaking up the alternative vibe of this London district. Camden used to be important because of the canal which industry used for transportation. These days it's the alternative market which draws the crowds. There are also popular music venues, pubs and restaurants.

Attracting more than 100,000 visitors every weekend, Camden is one of London's top tourist attractions. If you want vintage clothes, antiques, chandeliers, furniture or jewellery, then Camden is the place to go.

Camden Lock Market can be found on the Regent's Canal. In previous times, the canal had been used to move things around the country. By the early seventies, with the days of canal transportation long gone, an urban motorway was planned for the area. A temporary market was set up in nearby warehouses. The motorway never came, but the market stayed. The market grew and now sells crafts, jewellery and vintage clothing. It's a good place to find unique items sold by independent traders. There are also lots of fast-food stalls with vendors keen to sell you Chinese, Indian, Mexican or Japanese food.

Stables Market gets its name because it used to be the stables for horses which pulled barges along the canal. The market sells clothing, furniture, household goods, ethnic artefacts and jewellery. Some of the market is in converted warehouses which are linked by cobbled walkways. Wandering amongst the stalls, you hear pounding dance beats and smell burning incense. This is a market with an alternative vibe, with plenty of stalls catering for alternative sub-cultures. A couple of long-established vendors include Black Rose, which sells clothing for goths and Cyberdog, which sells futuristic clothing for clubbers.

Other markets which make up the whole Camden shopping experience include Buck Street Market, which sells clothing, T-shirts and fashion accessories, as well as Inverness Street Market, which sells clothes and souvenirs.

Famous for its lively music scene, Camden is a great place to see bands. First stop on any gig-lover's night-time itinerary should be The Dublin Castle. The legendary pub and music venue features four live bands every night and there is always a chance that you'll spot the big names of tomorrow. Madness, Blur and Amy Whitehouse all played at this family-run pub.

Another place which does a sterling job of promoting new musical talent is Barfly. This 200-capacity venue has provided a space for performances by Adele, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand,The Killers, Muse and the Scissor Sisters.

Near Camden Town tube station is The World's End, which has been a pub since 1778. Beneath the pub is The Underworld, a 500-capacity venue which has attracted acts such as Radiohead, and the Smashing Pumpkins.

The Electric Ballroom has been a nightclub since the 1950s. Depending on your choice of night, you can hear heavy metal, electro pop or goth.

Bar by day and music venue by night, Proud is located in an old horse hospital. Acts to have performed there include Jessie J, The Kooks and Stereophonics.

What is now the club Koko has existed in some different incarnations. The building was originally a theatre. It then became a music venue, with various different names over the years. In its current identity, it has hosted concerts by Madonna, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Babyshambles.

For fancy something a little more laid-back, check out the Jazz Cafe on Parkway. Alomg with the jazz, you can hear hip-hop, soul, funk, reggae and R&B.

The Roundhouse is another performance space of note. Originally a railway engine shed, the building is now used as a venue for music and theatre.