Hidden Gems Around Camden Market

Hidden Gems in Camden Market You’ll Brag About Finding First

Spoiler: Camden Market isn’t just for tourists in leather jackets buying knock-off band tees. Sure, it’s chaotic and loud, but if you know where to look, it’s got pockets of pure gold. From cheap eats that’ll keep your overdraft alive to random entertainment you’ll only stumble across by accident, here’s your unofficial Camden Market guide.

Where to Shop? (Beyond the Obvious Stalls)

Inverness Street Market 

Hours: Daily, 10am–6pm
Price: £2–£50 per item
Student ID: Not Required
Nearest Tube: Camden Town

Yes, Camden High Street is basically one long corridor of Doc Martens, tattoo shops, and questionable Bob Marley merch. But duck into Inverness Street Market and you’ll find indie traders selling stuff you won’t see on TikTok. Think handmade jewellery that doesn’t scream Basic, vintage jackets under £40 (if you haggle like your life depends on it), and vinyl that makes you look cooler than you are.

Pro tip: always bring cash. Traders love you more when you’re not tapping a card for a £2 tote bag. My friend swears she scored her £25 leather jacket here!

What to Do for Entertainment?

Camden is basically sensory overload, but once you filter out the noise, the gems sparkle:

1. Street Art Tours
   Hours: Anytime
   Price: Free
   Student ID: Not Required
   Nearest Tube: Camden Town

Half the time, you’ll stumble across murals by Banksy wannabes, but some are genuinely stunning. Free entertainment if you’re broke.

1. Primrose Hill

Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free
Student ID: Not Required
Nearest Tube: Chalk Farm

Walk 15 minutes out of the chaos, climb the hill, and you get one of the best sunset views of London. Bonus: it’s free cardio.

1. Boxpark Camden

Hours: 11am–11pm

Price: £5–£15 for Food/Drinks

Student ID: Discounts Vary by Vendor

Nearest Tube: Camden Town

Yes, it’s Hipster Headquarters, but the vibe is unbeatable for cheap drinks and live music.

1. Little Venice

Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free
Student ID: Not Required
Nearest Tube: Warwick Avenue

Not technically Camden Market, but close enough. Walk along Regent’s Canal and you’ll feel like you accidentally wandered into a European rom-com.

Where to Eat? (Fuel for your heart)

This is where Camden really wins. Forget chain restaurants — you’re here for the market food stalls that look sketchy but taste divine.

• Funky Chips

Hours: Mon- Thu, 9am– 7pm; Fri and Sun, 9am– 8pm; Sat, 9am– 8pm
Price: £10–£20
Student ID: Sometimes 10% Off
Nearest Tube: Camden Town

Picture fries drowning in sauces, cheese, jalapeños, and sometimes questionable meat. They’re £8–£10, but worth every carb.

• The Cheese Bar
  Hours: Mon–Thu 12pm– 9pm; Fri–Sat 12pm–9pm

Price: £10–£20

Student ID: Accepted for Discounts

Nearest Tube: Chalk Farm

Yes, it’s literally a bar – for cheese. Grilled cheese sandwiches so good you’ll consider dropping out and becoming a dairy farmer.

• Alexander the Great: 

Hours: Mon–Sun 12 pm–10:30 pm
Price: £20–£30
Student ID: Occasionally Accepted
Nearest Tube: Mornington Crescent

Not inside the market, but a short walk away. Their set menu is the best Mediterranean feast you’ll find without bankrupting yourself.

Final Thoughts (and a Tiny Reality Check)

Camden Market is messy, loud, and sometimes feels like a tourist trap — but once you dig past the obvious, it’s a treasure chest. Living in London isn’t cheap, but smart choices = more memories and less regret. Download a budget app, always ask if there’s a student discount (they exist in weird places, trust me), and remember: sometimes the best nights out start with greasy fries in Camden.