Camden Market is a group of market areas beside Regent’s Canal in north London, with places to shop, eat, drink and dance. From Kensington, you can start at an Underground station and travel to Camden Town or Chalk Farm for the walk to the market. The London transport connections from Kensington can help you plan the journey.
- Market areas: Camden Lock, Stables Market and Hawley Wharf.
- Closest stops: Camden Town and Chalk Farm Underground stations, plus Camden Road Overground station.
- General hours: The market is open daily, 10am–7pm, including bank holidays; individual trader hours can differ.
Getting from Kensington to Camden Market
From Kensington, travel by Underground to Camden Town or Chalk Farm, then walk to Camden Market. Camden Road Overground station is another stop for reaching Camden Market.
Camden Town is a 5-minute walk from the market, Chalk Farm is a 10-minute walk, and Camden Road is an 8-minute walk. Buses 214 from King’s Cross, 24 from Victoria, 274 from the West End and 393 from East London serve the market.
High Street Kensington station is about an 8-minute walk from Kensington House Hotel, which has standard double rooms. Check your route before you travel, as connections can vary.
Understanding the market’s different areas
Camden Market comprises Camden Lock, Stables Market and Hawley Wharf, each with its own mix of shops and places to eat. The market began in 1974 as a temporary arts-and-crafts fair with 16 stalls in the backyard of Dingwalls, open only on Sundays.
Visit London describes Camden Lock as an early crafts-and-antiques market area, now home to vintage, craft and vinyl shops, street-food stalls and a microbrewery. Stables Market occupies buildings that previously housed saddlers’ workshops, tack rooms, a horse hospital and stables.
At Hawley Wharf, you’ll find eateries, boutique shops, a Curzon cinema and food halls beside the canal. Its wider community includes creative sellers, street-food traders, independent shops and restaurants, with more than 1,000 places to shop, eat, drink and dance.
Opening days, hours and event checks
Camden Market is open seven days a week, including bank holidays, with general hours of 10am–7pm; it closes on Christmas Day. Most traders open 10am–6pm, while North Yard restaurants open every evening.
Hawley Wharf has separate schedules: its food halls open 11.30am–11pm daily. Retail hours are 12pm–6pm Monday–Wednesday, 11am–6pm Thursday, 11am–7pm Friday–Saturday and 11am–6pm Sunday, including bank holidays. Independent traders may set different hours, so check the official site before you go, especially if a particular shop, stall, restaurant or bar is the focus of your visit.
Food, shopping and visitor practicalities
Use the interactive market map to search for traders and amenities, find walking directions and locate lifts. If you have a specific food or shop in mind, check its hours before setting out; individual independent traders’ schedules can vary.
Access differs between areas. Hawley Wharf has step-free access and lifts to all floors. Much of Stables and Lock is step-free, though historic buildings, cobbles and uneven floors can make moving around harder. Accessible toilets are in Stables Basement and in several parts of Hawley Wharf’s Waterside Halls.
A Changing Places facility is on Level -1 of Waterside Halls West and is accessible by lift. Public toilets are available across Lock, Stables and Hawley Wharf, and may require a small entry charge.
If you’re planning time around Kensington too, this guide to the High Street Kensington area covers the neighbourhood around High Street Kensington station.
FAQs
Which station should you use for Camden Market?
Camden Town and Chalk Farm Underground stations, as well as Camden Road Overground station, serve Camden Market. The walk from each stop to Camden Market takes 5, 10 and 8 minutes respectively.
Is Camden Market open every day?
Yes. It is open daily, including bank holidays, and closed only on Christmas Day. Individual traders may keep different hours.
Are all areas of Camden Market step-free?
Hawley Wharf has step-free access and lifts to all floors. Much of Stables and Lock is step-free, but historic buildings, cobbles and uneven surfaces can make navigation more difficult.
What are the market’s main areas?
The three areas are Camden Lock, Stables Market and Hawley Wharf, beside Regent’s Canal. The interactive map can help you find traders, amenities and walking directions.