Things to Do in Camden Town (+ King’s Cross) | What to See & Where to Stay, Shop, & Eat

Whether you’re looking for the top things to do in Camden – or the best things to do in King’s Cross – this guide has you completely covered! Camden Town in north London has long been known for its alternative vibe, while Kings Cross has undergone significant urban regeneration in recent times. 

Together, the Camden neighbourhood and the Kings Cross area of London appeal to lots of people. There’s more to Camden Town attractions than the market and the music scene, and Kings Cross offers even more cultural, dining, and shopping options. 

Close to both are some unique London experiences, including encounters with wildlife, the local arts and cultural scene, one of the city’s best views, and even boat trips on Regent’s Canal. 

From Kings Cross and Camden things to do to where to stay, dine, and shop, read on to discover it all. We also share locals’ tips plus answers to frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, you’ll be itching to visit this eclectic – and sometimes slightly edgy – part of the UK capital!

Who is Camden (+ King’s Cross) best for?

• Animal lovers
• Live music fans
• Alternative types
• Arts and culture buffs
• Anyone who likes to be by the water

Top 10 Things to Do in Camden [+ King’s Cross]

Boat trip on Regent’s Canal

You can rent a boat to take to the waters of Regent’s Canal. Exploring from the water is a unique way to see the city. Up to eight people can share a boat, making it very affordable, too. Hire a boat for one, two, or three hours, even if you have no prior boating experience. 

Click here to book a GoBoat on Regent’s Canal

British Library

The British Library houses around 170 million items, and is the national library of the UK. As well as being a major book depository, there’s a non-stop programme of events held here. 

Apart from special exhibitions, it’s free to enter. There’s cafes and a restaurant, too, plus a gift shop. Visit here and you see items ranging from the notebooks of novelist Jane Austen to handwritten Beatles’ song lyrics.

For free or rainy day activities in particular, this is among the best things to do near King’s Cross station.

London Zoo

Located in Regent’s Park, London Zoo is among the top things to do around the King’s Cross area for visitors of all ages. There are lovely gardens and buildings; some of the latter are listed. Plus, of course, almost 15,000 creatures from around the world. 

Click here to buy tickets for London Zoo

Regent’s Park

Pretty Regent’s Park is where you’ll find London Zoo. It also offers lovely green space, including sports courts, a boating lake, a rose garden, cafes, and even an open-air theatre. With 400 acres of space, it’s easy to find a patch to call your own. 

Primrose Hill

Genteel Primrose Hill provides a refreshing contrast to colourful Camden. Here you can expect subtle pastel hues decorating the elegant terraced houses. The hill is close to Regent’s Park, the canal, and London Zoo. It’s also one of the capital’s best vantage points. 

Chalcot Square and Chalcot Street are the area’s most Instagrammable streets. Look out for celebrities while you wander: this is among their favourite London haunts.

If you visit on a Saturday, the local Primrose Hill food market is held weekly at St Paul’s school between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm. 

Camden Art Centre

Though it’s situated northwest of Camden on Finchley Road, Camden Art Centre near Finchley Road and Frognal tube is a modern art gallery worth taking a detour for. You can find a wide range of visual arts here. There’s also a shop, a cafe, and a garden, and the venue also runs classes. 

Camley Street Natural Park

Tucked away between Kings Cross and St Pancras is a haven for wildlife in the city. Camley Street Natural Park offers birds, amphibians, butterflies, and mammals. You can watch from the observation platform, take a wildlife walk, or learn more at the on-site Visitor Centre.

Platform 9¾

Located on the main concourse at King’s Cross Train station, don’t miss visiting the Harry Potter shop. Selling all sorts of Harry Potter merchandise, there is also the opportunity to take a photo with a scarf, suitcases and trolley!

Kings Place

Kings Place bills itself as the “cultural pulse of Kings Cross,” and hosts various events centred on art, comedy, music, and more. It’s pleasantly sited by the canal, and there are art galleries to view, too. You can also eat at the cafe or restaurant here. 

Street Art Tour

Take a street art tour in Camden Town to see some of the best north London alternative art. The small group experience leads you to the hidden back alleys, where you can see works by leading street artists. You’ll also explore the area and learn all about street art – including what makes it different from graffiti.

Click here to book a Camden street art tour

Live Music (+ Amy Winehouse statue)

One of the top things to do in Camden Town is to go to one of the area’s many live music venues. Many famous names started out here, and/or have called the neighbourhood home, including Amy Winehouse. You can find her statue at Stables Market, on Chalk Farm Road.

The best live music venues in Camden include Blues Kitchen, Electric Ballroom, Jazz cafe, Koko, The Underworld, and Cecil Sharp House on Regent’s Park Road for folk music shows plus a library and archive. Some of the best pubs for gigs are the Black Heart, the Dublin Castle, and the World’s End.

Where to Stay in Camden (+ King’s Cross)

Hotels

• £££ – St Pancras Renaissance Hotel | 5* | Restaurants & bars, spa, pool, & gym | Part of St Pancras station
• £££ – Megaro | 5* | Restaurant & bar | Near King’s Cross station
• £££ – The Standard London | 5* | Restaurant, bar & gym | Near King’s Cross station
• ££ – Pullman London St Pancras | 4* | Restaurant, bar & gym | Between King’s Cross & Euston
• ££ – Meliá White House | 4* | Restaurant, bar & gym | By Regent’s Park
• ££ – The House of Toby | 4* | Bar, 24-hour reception | Near King’s Cross station
• £ – Holiday Inn Camden Lock | 4* | Restaurant, bar & gym | Overlooks Camden Lock
• £ – Camden Enterprise Hotel | Bar & restaurant | By Chalk Farm tube station
• £ – The Hurdwick | Restaurant | Near Regent’s Park

Holiday rentals

• 1 bed for 2 – Primrose Hill panorama | 1 bed & 1 bath | Overlooking Primrose Hill
• 2 bed for 4 – Child friendly garden flat | 2 beds & 1 bath | Near Regent’s Park
• 2 bed for 6 – Peaceful park apartment | 2 beds & 2 baths | Near Regent’s Park

Where to Eat in Camden (+ King’s Cross)

If you’re seeking good places to eat near King’s Cross or in Camden Town, look no further! There are great street food, cafe, and restaurant options all over the area. 

Camden Lock Market

As well as shopping, another of the things to do in Camden Market is to find fabulous food! The top places to eat in Camden Market are found at Camden Lock, with plenty of vegan dishes among all the affordable options. 

Chin Chin Labs

This ice creamery at Camden Lock Place sells all sorts of flavours, and is Europe’s first liquid nitrogen ice cream parlour. 

Coal Drops Yard

You can find a range of eateries in the Coal Drops Yard area, including Barrafina for Spanish tapas, a branch of Caravan, Dishoom for Indian food, and much more. 

The Fellow

This Kings Cross gastro pub offers a lively atmosphere, its outdoor Grand Terrace, a modern British menu, and a good choice of real ales. 

Granary Square

Granary Square offers fountains with over 1,000 jets. The plaza is also lined with some of the best restaurants in London King’s Cross. So you’ll have no trouble finding a place to eat among the great range of Granary Square restaurants.

If you want to find the best pubs in King’s Cross, look out for The Lighterman, which is perched by the canal.

Kings Place

This arts and cultural centre by the canal in Kings Cross offers Rotunda restaurant, with a canalside terrace, and Green & Fortune cafe, which serves Northumbrian produce from the owners’ farm. 

Poppies Fish and Chips

Poppies are located on Hawley Crescent in Camden and offers traditional British fare in a 1940s-style setting. 

Primrose Bakery

If you have a sweet tooth, head to Primrose Hill to visit this renowned bakery. You’ll find freshly baked bread, cupcakes in every flavour, and more. 

Where to Shop in Camden (+ King’s Cross)

Camden Market

Camden Market – formerly known as Buck Street – specialises in fashion items. It’s housed in old shipping containers, and has a rooftop bar.

Camden Lock Market

The bustling market at Camden Lock sells clothing, accessories, books, crafts, and even street food. 

Stables Market

Head here for antiques, homeware, unusual clothing, and food. This Camden and King’s Cross market is now part of Camden Lock Market.

Camden Lock Village

This is the place to go for clothing and accessories, as well as when you want something unique. 

Inverness Street Market

You’ll still find some fruit and veg stalls here, though now this market is more about souvenirs and footwear.

Camden High Street

The shops on Camden High Street are an eclectic mix of independent vintage clothing retailers and big high street brands.  

Coal Drops Yard

Open since 2018, Coal Drops Yard is one of the major London attractions near King’s Cross station. It offers an appealing range of shops, from small independent retailers to big brands.

Christmas in Camden (+ King’s Cross)

As with the rest of London, places in and near King’s Cross and Camden are decorated for Christmas from November onwards.

Expect festive decorations, Christmas trees and gift shopping at spots like King Cross’s Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square, and the markets in Camden. 

How to Get to Camden (+ King’s Cross)

Underground stations

• Camden Town – Northern line
• Chalk Farm – Northern line
• Kings Cross St Pancras – Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines

Train stations

• Camden Road
• Kings Cross
• St Pancras International (for Eurostar services to mainland Europe)

Camden (+ King’s Cross) FAQs

Where is Camden?

The Camden Town neighbourhood is part of the London Borough of Camden. It’s north of central London. The area is bordered by Regent’s Park and King’s Cross to the southeast and southwest. To the north, east, and west are residential parts of north London, such as Belsize Park. 

Camden (+ King’s Cross) Tips

Alternatives to Camden Town tube

On weekends, Camden Town tube station can get so busy that it sometimes has to shut down until the congestion eases. If you can, travel to another nearby station instead, such as Chalk Farm, and walk from there. 

What Will You Do in King’s Cross & Camden?

It’s easy to see that there are so many Camden and King’s Cross things to do that your only problem will be narrowing down the options! 

When deciding what to do in Camden Town, don’t forget to have a drink, lunch, or a walk by Regents Canal – or even take a boat out on the water. Camden Lock and the canal is one of the most distinctive features of this part of north London, and therefore is not to be missed.

Read next – London area guides

• Covent Garden (including Holborn)
• Tower Hill and Tower Bridge
• Westminster (including Victoria/Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square)
• Kensington (including South Kensington)
• Things to do in Greenwich
• Things to do in Mayfair
• Things to do in the City of London
• Things to do in Southwark & Bankside
• Things to do in Soho and Leicester Square
• Things to do in South Bank and Waterloo
• Things to do in Notting Hill