WORLD FAMOUS FOR ITS MARKET AND MUSIC SCENE, THIS NORTH LONDON HOTSPOT HAS GENTRIFIED IN RECENT YEARS, EMERGING AS ONE OF THE CAPITAL’S MOST DESIRABLE PLACES TO LIVE
Just to the north of Regent’s Park, Camden has always been a world away from the Nash terraces and rose gardens. It was the home of British punk, late-night gigs and Amy Winehouse.
Today, tourists are as likely to head here as Westminster Abbey, to shop the market selling everything from vintage clothes to manga, with The Clash’s London Calling drifting out over speakers.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
As a place to live, its star has been on the rise for some time. “It’s certainly true to say that what was historically considered by many to be a somewhat tertiary, albeit edgy area, is now widely regarded to be one of London’s most vibrant urban locations,” says Mark Pollack, director at Aston Chase estate agents.Gentrification has brought in a new set of househunters.
“Younger buyers are drawn to the borough’s infrastructural investments, such as the modernisation of Camden Market; a facelift that resulted in a wider choice of attractive bars and restaurants,” says Emlyn Parks, sales director at Chestertons.
The area includes parts of Kentish Town and Chalk Farm. Camden Town itself is close to Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, with Fitzrovia and Marylebone to the south. Eurostar at St Pancras and HS2’s imminent arrival at Euston will further boost its connectivity.
Families favour its community feel, highly-rated schools and eclectic architecture. Desirable roads include Albert Street, Gloucester Crescent and Camden Square. Pollack points towards an array of conversions: the cool loft-style apartments overlooking The Regent’s Canal at The Henson; The Glass Building on the corner of Jamestown and Arlington Roads; and most recently, Chappell Lofts (formerly Chappell Piano Factory).
A DAY IN CAMDEN
9AM
Trading places
At the heart of Camden is its bustling market. Starting as just 16 stalls, today it is home to 1,000 eclectic traders selling vintage fashion, eco-friendly homeware, and jewellery. If you’re feeling peckish head over to the North Yard where you can enjoy a selection of premium dine-in options, such as The Cheese Bar and fine French patisserie, Philippe Conticini.
11AM
Riverside ramble
Take the canal walking route from Camden Lock, passing Regent’s Canal, heading towards the picturesque Primrose Hill. Once known for ‘The Primrose Hill Set’ that included Jude Law and Kate Moss, its quaint high street has everything you need. Pick up a book from the family-run Primrose Hill Books on Regent’s Park Road or book a hot yoga class with Fierce Grace, right below, further up the road.
1PM
Picnic perfect
With canals and rolling London landscape, Camden is home to optimal picnic spots. Before heading to the summit of Primrose Hill, pick up a luxury hamper from grocer Melrose and Morgan on Gloucester Avenue. The Grade II listed park has unrivalled views of the capital’s skyline, with landmarks such as The London Eye and The Shard all visible.
5PM
Culture club
For good food and music, there’s no better venue than Café KOKO, inside the legendary KOKO. Over its history KOKO has seen music icons on stage, from Prince to Madonna. The pizzeria combines food, music and art. The KOKO gallery exhibits emerging and leading names in contemporary art, Roof Terrace pictured above.
10 PM
Rhythm is a dancer
Home to Jazz Café, Electric Ballroom, Round House and The Blues Kitchen. Any day of the week, Camden is abundant with gigs. Future gigs to look out for include Sophie Ellis Bextor at O2 Forum Kentish Town.
ASK A LOCAL: OLLY BENGOUGH, KOKO CEO/Founder
“When I first discovered KOKO in 2004, it was very run down but its majesty shone through. A Grade II listed Victorian theatre (1901), where Charlie Chaplin, Monty Python and the Rolling Stones all performed.
Last year, we reopened after three years of development, adding Cafe KOKO, on the ground floor and a members’ club, The House of KOKO (by the design team behind Chiltern Firehouse) situated over four floors behind, including a roof terrace restaurant, penthouse studio, vinyl rooms and more.
In the wider Camden area, Lemonia is a wonderful Greek institution in Primrose Hill, while Asakusa is an old-fashioned sushi joint.”
CAMDEN: FOOD & DRINK
THE PARAKEET
256 Kentish Town Road
The new culinary-led fine dining pub, headed by two ex-BRAT chefs, is revolutionising Camden’s dining scene. Expect modern European dishes such as lamb chop, artichoke and hazelnut and trout, sea herbs and butter sauce, that are primarily cooked over the flame of a custom-made grill. theparakeetpub.com
42 Gloucester Avenue
Next to the canal in Primrose Hill, the eponymous eatery uses classical French training with global influences. The brasserie has carefully-created dishes, from homemade tagliolini with black truffle and porcini sauce to soft shell crab tempura with wakame sesame and sweet chilli dressing. Be sure to sample one of Nadra’s signature cocktails for a real taste of summer.
ODETTE’S
130 Regent’s Park Road
Attracting diners from the worlds of art and theatre, neighbourhood favourite Odette’s first opened its doors in 1978. Headed by chef patron Bryn Williams, the menu has seasonal delights, such as chickpea with wild garlic and pepper, with sweeter offerings including Odette’s Jaffa Cake and strawberry souffle with strawberry and basil sorbet.
CINDER
66 Belsize Lane
Born out of chef patron Jake Finn’s love of cooking over fire, Cinder in Belsize Park is the sister location of the St John’s Wood branch, both offering innovative meals that go beyond the norm. With the menu changing daily, exciting dishes that diners can enjoy include spicy black tiger prawn with hot pepper and lime and sea-bass ceviche with cucumber, jalapeño, and coriander.
2B England’s Lane
New to leafy Belsize Park, Terra Moderna is an Antiopdean and modern Italian establishment. Michelin-trained chef Mirko Pisano is behind the well-crafted menu merging the two cuisines. Diners can expect dishes that use ony the season’s best ingredients. Plates include saffron arancini and Sardinian seafood stew. And a slice of the dolce vita awaits with pavlova, panna cotta and chocolate delice.
SCHOOLS IN CAMDEN
Camden offers an excellent range of schools, both state and independent. The Healthy School Streets initiative by Camden Council now restricts traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times and has been beneficial to both traffic flow and levels of pollution.
For girls, The Cavendish School in the heart of Camden Town is a little oasis for ages 3-11. With a warm atmosphere and excellent pastoral care, the school achieves excellent academic results.
For boys and girls age 4-13, North Bridge House Regent’s Park on Gloucester Avenue is close to London Zoo and Lord’s Cricket Ground. Using London as its classroom, memorable science lessons have taken place at the zoo.
There are excellent preps in nearby Hampstead, from Devonshire House School to St Anthony’s Catholic Prep for boys and in Belsize Park, The Hall School for boys. At secondary level, outstanding girls schools include the state Camden School for Girls, Francis Holland Regent’s an South Hampstead High School for Girls, voted Independent Girls’ School of the Year in 2022
Camden: On the Market
ASK AN AGENT: ORLY LEHMANN, Head of sales, Knight Frank Belsize Park & Primrose Hill
”What can I say about an area I’ve lived in for the last 12 years? Belsize Park and Primrose Hill offer village- like communities close to central London.
People who live here range from young professionals and families to downsizers moving further out for a greener, quieter lifestyle.
We’re pretty lucky that we have everything on our door step – fantastic schools, great public transport, and lots of hot spots, with local amenities including coffee shops and fantastic dining- out options, with more and more independents opening up.
In terms of pricing for buying options, there’s a wide range, from one-beds starting at £500,000 to large houses selling £5m+. Demand right now couldn’t be any better from buyers, due to the lack of supply, but as we all know, the market constantly changes.“
CHAPPELL LOFTS
As part of the brand-new Victorian Chappell Piano factory conversion, this luxurious three-bedroom Chalk Farm apartment offers open-plan living, large industrial windows, high ceilings and a private balcony. Residents also have access to leisure facilities and a daytime concierge service. £3.65m. Agent: astonchase.com
CAMDEN MEWS
This bright, airy and chain-free(!) mews house, just a few minutes’ walk from Camden Road Station, boasts an impressive front garden and a charming summerhouse office space. £1.5m. Agent: chestertons.com
GLOUCESTER AVENUE
Set in the heart of Primrose Hill, this pretty four-bedroom home has been refurbished to an exceptional standard and offers an abundance of living space. £2.995m. Agent: knightfrank.com
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