Given the sheer number of neighborhoods surrounding and within easy access of Park Grand Kensington London, it can prove relatively difficult to choose where to go and what to do. Sometimes, the best way to go about things is to pick a neighborhood and really get under the skin of it, rather than trying to do a little bit of everything and then never getting a wholesome experience. So, here is an in depth area guide for Camden.
To clarify, when we say Camden, we are referring more to the area surrounding Camden Town, rather than Camden Borough itself, as that is far reaching which the likes of Soho, for instance, falls into – which would call for an area guide all in itself!
Saint Espresso
Trust us: Indian Afternoon Tea at Park Grand Restaurant is the only way to do tea, and Saint Espresso is the only way to do coffee. There are a few Saint Espresso destinations around London, but the new-ish post across from Mornington Crescent tube station is a real charmer – and a great place to start your day in Camden, as everywhere from this point of arrival is within walking distance of it. They are serving up authentic coffee from as far and wide as Brazil and Ethiopia, sometimes in pots so quirky they would fit in just as well in a laboratory as a coffee shop. From the upstairs, street level, it seems quite small – but once you head down the stairs into the utilitarian but stylish downstairs seating area filled with green leaves, cacti and succulents on the tables. The music is pumping from relatively early, so it is a fun and energetic way to kickstart the day! Not to mention – their food selection is small but packing tons of flavour, from their filled croissants and vegan chocolate brownies on the counter, to their brunch and lunch menu. The sweet potato hash deserves a special mention – as do the portion sizes.
Address: 20 Camden High Street, London NW1 0JH
Camden Comedy Club
You can have a laugh in Camden every night of the week at The Camden Head, which is host to the Camden Comedy Club. Often referred to as the best comedy club in London, and known city-wide as a hub for talent-discovery, world-famous comedians like Sara Pascoe and James Acaster. It takes place in the upstairs area of the pub and is regularly sold-out – meaning a bustling audience of fellow comedy-enthusiasts game for a good chuckle. It is always said that love flourishes through the funny bone, so why not pair a trip to the Camden Comedy Club with Romantic Hotel Packages and design the perfectly varied romantic getaway.
Address: 100 Camden High Street, Camden Town, London NW1 0LU
Lost Boys Pizza
This little pizza restaurant calls itself a vampire-themed pizzeria – but the scariest thing about it is how badly you will want to return after visiting the first time. All the pizza dough is made with black charcoal, making your pizza all the more dark and mysterious. Some absolute crowd-pleasers on the menu include their meatballs in a red wine ragu, as well as the punnily named Fangs For the Memories, which is topped with chorizo, peppers, onions and chilli’s. Their drinks are bloody fantastic, too – and not just the Bloody Mary’s! Down in the Lost Boys Pizza basement, you will not be finding coffins but rather the Croque Monsieur Absinthe Bar, which sees the gradual relaxing of everyone that walks through its doors from Wednesday to Sunday from 6.30pm.
Address: 245 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BA
Camden Market
Don’t worry – getting to know Camden isn’t solely done through your tummy (though this area is clearly a foodie’s heart-throb destination). While there are plenty of street food stalls at the Camden Market, offering everything from Yorkshire Pudding, roast dinner stuffed wraps to freshly fried noodles, it is also a great spot to get some shopping in. You can pick up bespoke trinkets, artistic photographs in print of London to take home as a reminder of your trip, as well as a range of hip clothing and decor. It is the kind of place where you will come out with a Led Zeppelin t-shirt, an A5 canvas of Big Ben, a new pillow case with a sloth hanging from a branch painted on it and a dainty new necklace, and nobody would question your combination. If you are up for a bit of statue-hunting, there is a bronze Amy Winehouse statue, which pays tribute to the death of the iconic singer who famously adored Camden and lived there when she died. Not to forget – this is where you will find the newly constructed Music Walk Of Fame, where trailblazers in the world of music have been commemorated in stone.
Address: Camden Lock Place, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF
The Jazz Club
The Jazz Club is not only Camden’s most historically celebrated live music venue, but also one of London’s most iconic. It is a live music gig venue with restaurant and club nights. It is open every day from 7pm to 3am at weekends. It is directly across from the exit of Camden Town Station, so is very easy to locate. The musicians performing here are both of the home-grown variety as well as international sensations. Given that we are now in the next wave of the “20’s”, why not make it “The Roaring 20’s” round 2?
Address: 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PG
Really unpacking parts of a city can be the most beneficial and experiential way of doing things – everyone loves the idea of a “little bit of everything”, but the reality is often far less glamorous and involves tube rides across the city as well as not getting enough time to really get a feel for the place. After visiting any combination of these Camden-gems, you will be infinitely closer to reaching the heart of this eclectic, vibrant part of London which you will be unsurprised to now know was the iconic Amy Winehouse’s favourite place in the Big Smoke
