Camden Market is one of London's most popular weekend tourist attractions, offering fashion and crafts; a mix of people and foods from every corner of the world.

The area has been made famous by films such as 'Withnail & I', pop icons 'Madness' & Oasis, and historic writers such as George Orwell, Mary Shelley and Charles Dickens.

The Camden Market we know today is along way from the way it was in the 1800s and a short history of this make this clearer.

It was in the 1790s that the Earl of Camden began developing the land around what is now Camden High Street.
Unlike today the Camden Town of of this period was merely a stop off point en route to Hampstead.
Echoes of the past can still be seen today: the pub now called "the Worlds End" was formerly the public house called the "Mother Red Cap".
In fact it wasn't until 100 years later that the market area became anything more than undeveloped land.
The Regent's Canal was built during in the 1870s and this canal now forms the centre piece of the Lock market.
What this brought to Camden was commerce.
The lock connected with the main trade routes and as a result saw a blossoming in warehouse and production lines whose products were then fed up the river.
This prosperity was short lived though as changes in transportation made shipping too expensive.
Because of this the buildings and warehouses, which today take the shape of expensive apartments overlooking the canal, closed down and moved on.
The area was then left to decay.
It wasn't until the 1970s that three men had an idea to transform the area around Camden Lock into an arts andcrafts market.
They approached British Waterways and obtained the rights to lease from them some of the properties to realise this idea.
As news of Camden travelled so to the market area became more popular and this saw the addition of further market stall areas.

The Camden market of today has no less than 4 distinct markets and is complmented by shops with clothes and merchandinsing from around the world.
Camden Market is a shoppers paradise!

If there's one thing Camden Town has become famous for, it's got to be its markets.
You'll be amazed at the volume of traders and immersed in a maze of markets in Camden Town on the weekends - and even on a smaller scale during the week.
Take a stroll from Camden Town Underground towards Regent's Canal.
On the right of the street you'll first pass the Electric Ballroom, a nightclub-cum-clothing market.
On Inverness Street - branching off the High Street opposite Electric Ballroom - is one of the last remaining fruit & veg markets in Camden.
Continuing down the High Street, you'll find Camden Market.
This mainly clothing market is usually the busiest market, due to its proximity to Camden Town Underground and its density.
Past Regent's Canal on the same side of the street is Camden Lock Market.
Camden Lock Market is on the opposite side of Camden High Street from the Canal Market.
Founded in 1974, Camden Lock is a cobblestone market fashioned around a large courtyard filled with stalls on the weekends.
Buildings surrounding the courtyard house permanent stores and other businesses, of which the pub TED Dingwalls is the strongest landmark and a great meeting place.
Beyond Camden Lock is the Stables Market, which is ever-expansive and a new experience every time you go there.

----ELECTRIC BALLROOM
This nightclub venue deep into the night hosts a market on Sundays which features vintage and unique clothing.
With great sounds throughout the day courtesy of resident DJs. Electric Ballroom also sometimes features vinyl sales on Saturdays, with a small entrance fee.

CAMDEN MARKET
Small stalls packed closely together, holding a wide variety of popular street fashions (at good prices) and accessories, with a food hall and record sellers.
This is among the busiest markets in Camden, due to its location and lack of room to roam!
Established in 1975 this was the market that started the phenomenon that now draws more than 150,000 a week to the Camden Town markets.

----CAMDEN LOCK MARKET
Ethnic and artisan stores comprise the bulk of this area - including one-of-a-kind batiks, African artifacts, hammocks, jewellery, and crafts.
During the weekends, look out for other unique artisan's wares as well as for second-hand and new clothing.
There is also a large market hall opening onto the High Street that comprises a quality collection of stalls and shops offering great gifts and unique crafts.
For antiquarian and used book fans, check out the market hall during the quiet weekdays!

----CAMDEN CANAL MARKET
Deep in the Canal Market are those electrical goods from past eras, elusive antique taps for the kitchen sink, unique buttons to liven up that old jacket, and other useful antiques begging for second lives.
There is also an entrance to this market from Castlehaven Road, where can be found a good selection of bicycles.
Among other things for sale are some great artisan creations, bags and second-hand clothes.
"One person's junk is another's joy," as the saying goes, and this market is the proof.

----STABLES MARKET
Ethnic and artisan stores comprise the bulk of this area - including one-of-a-kind batiks, with both established shop-holders and weekend stall-holders, this sprawling market sells everything from avant-garde lampshades to second-hand Doc Martins, and from antique masks to disused picture frames.
Arguably the best of Camden's markets for people-watching!