Old Camden Town
Camden Town Underground station, London
Guided by Judith
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Weekly | 11 am | 1 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
Short read: “Alternative London”
Long read: The London smörgåsbord par excellence. A place where the past melts imperceptibly into the post-modern. A place of canals, cafes, cobblestones, Catacombs, craftsmen’s studios, street cred, NW1 literati, Industrial Age iron and brick, leafy terraces and crescents, antiques, artists, actors, and art deco. And that’s not to mention Camden Lock, London’s busiest and brightest market – and its fourth-largest tourist attraction – which “at its best combines the bonhomie, excitement and buzz of Rio’s Carnival!” The Lock is the centrepiece of the walk, but Judith, a local artist, also explores the sights behind the sights, unrolling the shifting scene like one of those Victorian panoramas: everything from street style and Neobeatniks to Dickens, Dingwalls, and the Vanishing Viscount by the canal; and from George Bernard Shaw and Toss the Pieman to Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan and the Electric Ballroom. And, goes without saying, Amy Winehouse. Afterward, if you like, you can take a traditional narrowboat to the Zoo or Little Venice. Guided by local artist Judith More than any other London Walks guide, Judith guides her doorstep – perched as she is in her eyrie overlooking the old Inverness Street Market, she’s right in the eye of the Camden Town storm. Talk about local knowledge. Judith doesn’t just live it and guide it – she paints it, turns lived experience, the Camden Town buzz, into art.
Bonus Read (and Listen)
The last duel in London was fought in Camden Town on July 1, 1843. The London Walks Today in London History podcast for July 1 – click here to hear – tells the tale.
LONDON WALKS PRACTICALS
The Old Camden Town walk takes place every at 11 am every Saturday. Meet Judith just outside the exit of Camden Town Tube. (There are two exits out of Camden Town Tube. Judith will be outside the Camden High Street exit, NOT the Kentish Town Road exit. If you arrive by Tube, go up the escalator, through the turnstile, and bear right. That’s the exit that debouches out into Camden High Street.) N.B. the walk ends at Camden Market, just a few minutes’ walk from Camden Town Tube or Chalk Farm Tube.
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“Although the big companies tend to just shuttle vast hordes of people about, one tour company does give you an in-depth, personalized insight to the city, offering a dizzying array of themed tours conducted by very qualified guides. The theatre tours, for example, are led by actors and actresses from the London stage, while the historical walks are done by historians, not just some bloke who’s read a couple of books.” London
“Our second tour was a real change of pace – we did the “Old Camden Town” tour, guided by Judith. This tour runs on Saturday mornings, at that is the day that the Camden Market is most lively – and you will get to see alternative London at its best. If I had teenagers or college students with me, this is one tour that I would add to my list! The tour includes one of the sites where Charles Dickens once lived, historic rock and roll venues, the Regent’s Canal, and some of the most interesting, over-the-top shops you will ever see!” Billcat52 Lancaster, Pennsylvania
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Old Camden Town walk do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Old Camden Town walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. And – always with private London Walks and tours – we go to great lengths to make sure the guide-walker(s) “fit” is well-nigh perfect. Ring Fiona or Niamh or Peter or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a very special, indeed a unique gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
LONDON WALKS – STREETS AHEAD!
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Linda –
Lovely and informative walk with Judith. She has a wealth of Camden Town knowledge and history. Despite the rain & cold weather, a great way to visit.
Jane Platts –
A really interesting and fun walk, Judith was so knowledgeable and has so many stories, a great way to spend a couple of hours in a new place, it really brought Camden to life.
Robert Mee –
A cold day in Camden was totally enlivened by Judith – such enthusiasm for the place, and with so many stories to tell. We’ve been on several of your walks now, and enjoyed them all, but for me this was probably the best. And Judith managed not to lose any of us, which was no mean feat considering the crowds once we reached Camden Market.
Many thanks for the experience.
Susan Grant –
This was great fun, an eclectic mix of places, people and times. Judith was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide with a great range of stories about the area. Another successful London Walk for us!
John Gallo –
I’ve probably taken 40 walks over the years with this company, and this is the worst one I have taken. The guide was very knowledgeable, but very little of what she said seemed to interest me. Would not recommend this walk.
Roger –
On a very hot September day we were trying to decide on whether to go on this morning walk or the afternoon one along the east end of London towards The Prospect of Whitby. We eventually decided on the former as the afternoon was going to be too hot for us and it was a good choice. Judith was very knowledgable and keen to show us the area which was a mix of quiet streets and busy ones together with a stroll along canal footpaths and extremely busy market areas. Only seven of us including Judith so a nice small group which meant we could hear her despite all the noise around us. We would certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to see parts of London that most tourists don’t go to.
Susanne Bro –
Very interesting and nice tour. Judith is a great tour guide. Highly recommendable.
Glenn Williamson –
First London Walk and loved it (apart from the rain), Judith was such a lovely, friendly and knowledgeable lady. Such an interesting tour, learning all the fascinating history for such a buzzing part of London.
Will do more tours with London Walks
Phillip –
Delightful Camden with Judith was a nice spent morning in her guided walk.
Many facts about the area and many different places including the market to hear about.
Two hours well spent for new facts about a London borough.
Steve –
This tour is joyous, with something for everyone. Judith shines with the knowledge of her neighborhood and the ever changing styles and residents. from Charles Dickens to Alan Bennet, from Suggs to Amy Winehouse, and from the electric ballroom to the worlds end, Judith knows everything, and is clearly very proud of this fascinating corner of London. I was the only participant on my tour, so it was like strolling around with an old friend as Judith pointed out the enthralling and dynamic landscape. If you have a couple of hours to spare book onto this tour and learn about this gem of London.