The modern-day Camden Lock

Camden Town has been a cornerstone of London for the last fifty years, well known both for its alternative position and for its markets. Recently however, with East London rising as a new counter-culture centre, Camden has lost some of the limelight. It’s easy to think of the high street with its quirky shops – the giant converse and Dr Martin shoes protruding from the buildings – the mish-mash of market stalls, tattoo parlors and falafel stands – but what exactly is going on with contemporary Camden? What happens behind the wigs, the leather jackets and the 80s throw back?

Right in the heart of the area, and still very much buzzing and alive, is Camden Lock. Part of the market network, the Lock takes up a sizable space just over the bridge from the station. Probably the more dynamic and up to date section of the markets, it stands aside from the rough and tumble character of the Camden Market official and the louder, grungier Stables market. Laid back and cheerful, the Lock is a mixture of food stalls and small retailers, slightly hippie but with some modern twists.

Camden Lock is the oldest part of the market, dating back to the 1970’s when T.E. Dingwall’s timber yard was leased out for craft workshops and small stalls. The area itself goes back to the early 1800s when Regents Canal was built to link the Grand Junction Canal at Paddington with the Thames at Limehouse. Camden is a bit of a warren, and the Lock no exception to this. It can, however, be divided into five areas each with its own character.

The centre, and perhaps best known, is West Yard. Next to the water, this is a jumble of stands selling a wide variety of world street food. Perfect for a lunch time of browsing, you can pick up anything from a hog roast, to Mexican nachos, Turkish wraps, delicacies from Pakistan, cakes, crepes and, in winter, mulled wine, mince pies and hot chestnuts. For those wanting a sit down, there are a number of quirky cafes and bars at the back, including the long Camden Lock bar and the Mexican café Chula. The West Yard also plays host to such gems as Black Gull secondhand bookstore and Bertie & Gertie’s Vintage Wear as well as the Camden waterbus company offering trips down the canal towards Little Venice.

Wending their way off from the West Yard are Camden Lock Place, the East Yard and the Middle Yard. The East Yard sells everything from Chaboba bubble tea to vintage clothing and vinyl records and the middle yard is home to the iconic Dingwalls music hall. Camden Lock Place is a long cobbled area featuring Chin Chin Labs Liquid Nitrogen Ice cream Sorbet – icy treats created at minus one hundred and fifty degrees centigrade.

Lastly there is the Market Hall. Built in the early 90s in keeping with the 19th century design of the area, and spanning three floors, this is the most concentrated area of shops and includes Araucarla’s Indian fabrics, Yococo t-shirts and the newly opened Penguin retailer where the old paperback classics are on sale alongside modern prints.

Tucked away, the Lock is something of a hidden gem for the area. It’s atmosphere has a touch of the Berlin flea market about it – it’s more relaxed than central market areas such as Covent Garden, and less self conscious than the trendy haunts round Spittlefields. Well worth an afternoons excursion, the Lock offers an easy going, friendly atmosphere and a break from the louder, brasher area around it.