Camden Area Guide
Camden is one of London’s most recognisable neighbourhoods, known for its market, its stretch of Regent’s Canal and a live music scene that’s been drawing crowds for decades. If you’re weighing up whether to base yourself here for uni, this guide covers where it is, how to get around and what to expect once you’ve settled in.
Where is Camden?
Camden Town sits in north London, in the London Borough of Camden. It’s bordered by Regent’s Park to the south, Primrose Hill and Chalk Farm to the north-west, and Kentish Town to the north. King’s Cross and Euston are both a short walk away, which makes Camden an easy add-on to a day spent studying near either station. The area is built around two focal points: Camden High Street, which runs from Mornington Crescent up to the canal, and Regent’s Canal itself, which cuts through the heart of the market.
If you’re deciding between locations across the capital, our guide to choosing the right urbanest location is a good place to start.
What zone is Camden?
Camden Town is in Travelcard Zone 2, along with Camden Road Overground station. That keeps fares reasonable if you’re commuting in from further out, and puts Camden within easy reach of Zone 1 without the Zone 1 price tag.
Read our students guide to London zones for a more in-depth breakdown.
How to get to Camden
Camden is well connected, whichever way you’re travelling.
Getting to Camden by tube
Camden Town station is on the Northern line and is one of the busiest interchanges on the network, since it’s where the Edgware and High Barnet branches meet before splitting again into the Bank and Charing Cross branches. From Camden Town, there are two routes into central London depending on which platform you catch. Chalk Farm, on the Edgware branch, and Mornington Crescent, on the Charing Cross branch, are both a short walk away if Camden Town itself is busy, which it often is at weekends.
Getting to Camden by overground and rail
Camden Road station, on the Mildmay and Lioness lines, is a few minutes’ walk from Camden Town tube and connects you to Highbury & Islington, Stratford and beyond without going anywhere near central London.
Getting to Camden by bus
Several routes stop right on Camden High Street and around the station, including the 24, 27, 31, 214, 253 and 274, going to Kentish Town, Angel or further into the West End, giving you an easy alternative to the tube.
Is there parking in Camden?
On-street parking in Camden is limited to residents’ permits and pay-and-display bays, and spaces can be hard to come by, especially close to the market. Most students find the tube, bus or a bike gets them around faster than a car would anyway.
Check out our guide to the best way to travel around London for more tips.
What to do in Camden
Wondering what to do in Camden Town or where to visit nearby? Here’s where to start.
Camden Market
This is what most people picture when they think of Camden. It’s actually six markets in one, including Camden Lock Market, Stables Market and Buck Street Market, packed with vintage clothing, independent traders and street food stalls from every corner of the world. Whether you’re studying in London or just visiting, this is a must-visit.
Regent’s Canal
The towpath runs right past the market, and a walk along it (or a boat trip, if you fancy something slower) takes you past Camden Lock, under painted bridges and, if you head west, alongside London Zoo.
The Roundhouse
A former Victorian railway shed turned performance venue, hosting everything from gigs to theatre and spoken word. It’s one of Camden’s most distinctive buildings, inside and out.
Live music venues
Camden has been central to British music for decades, and venues like KOKO, the Jazz Cafe, Electric Ballroom and Dingwalls keep that reputation going with gigs most nights of the week.
Primrose Hill
A short walk from the market, this is one of the best viewpoints in London on a clear day, with the skyline laid out in front of you.
To get you started, read our 15 things to do in London during your first week at university.
Where to eat in Camden
Camden’s food scene is as varied as everything else about it, from market stalls serving street food from every continent to sit-down spots for a proper meal.
Camden restaurants
For something more substantial than a market snack, Camden has plenty of range. Mildreds serves plant-based dishes from around the world, Purezza specialises in Neapolitan pizza, and Namaaste Kitchen is a solid choice for Indian food. Daphne has been serving Greek classics since 1967, and The Blues Kitchen combines Deep South soul food with live blues most nights.
Read our guide to the best places to eat in London for more suggestions.
Camden cafes
If you need somewhere to work or just want a decent coffee, Camden’s cafes are dotted all along the high street and around the market. The Coffee Jar and One Shot Coffee are popular for a reason. LUMI, on Camden High Street, is a good spot for brunch alongside your coffee, or for something canalside, Corretto By The Canal on Water Lane serves an Italian-inflected brunch menu with speciality coffee and cocktails, right by Regent’s Canal.
Discover more cafes and libraries in London for remote working.
Camden bars and nightlife
Camden’s pubs and bars lean into its music heritage. The World’s End is a Camden institution and sits right by The Underworld, while the Lock Tavern hosts regular live sets alongside its beer garden. For something with a bit more history behind it, the Jazz Cafe and Electric Ballroom both double as bars with a stage attached, so you can grab a drink and catch a set in the same night.
Camden healthcare
There are more than 50 NHS GP practices across the borough of Camden, so it’s worth registering with one as soon as you move in rather than waiting until you need an appointment. Use the official NHS websites below to find the right healthcare provider:
For anything more urgent, University College Hospital (UCLH) on Euston Road and the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead both have A&E departments and sit within the borough. For anything that isn’t an emergency, NHS 111 online or by phone is the quickest way to work out what care you need and where to get it.
If you’re still unsure, our guide to student healthcare has more information.
Supermarkets in Camden
You won’t have to go far for groceries. Camden High Street and Camden Road have a Sainsbury’s, an Aldi, a Lidl and an M&S Simply Food within a few minutes’ walk of each other, and there’s a Co-op on Parkway for smaller shops. The Sainsbury’s on Camden Road is worth a mention beyond the groceries too, since its striking high-tech building was Grade II listed in 2019.
Is Camden safe?
If you’re wondering, is Camden a nice place to live? For most students, it is. Camden does report a higher crime rate than many other London boroughs, but the figures are driven largely by opportunistic theft in crowded, high-footfall spots like the market and the tube station, rather than violent crime. In practice, that means the usual precautions go a long way: keep bags zipped and phones out of sight in busy areas, stay aware of your surroundings around the station, and stick to well-lit streets late at night.
For more advice on staying safe in the city, read our London Safety Guide, or check out our guide on how to choose safe student accommodation if security is high on your list when picking somewhere to live.
Overall, Camden is a great place to live for students, offering the perfect mix of buzzing nightlife, great food, live music and easy access to central London. While we don’t have a property directly in Camden, our King’s Cross and St Pancras locations are both within easy reach on foot, putting Camden’s market, canal and music venues right on your doorstep. Both come with the essentials taken care of: all-inclusive bills, a dedicated on-site team available 24/7, and a community of residents to explore London with. If Camden’s the area you want to be near, discover your nest at King’s Cross or St Pancras and see what’s available.