Hostels in London

About London

Camden Town in northwest London is famed for its music venues and bohemian vibe. You can search for Banksy murals amongst the incredible displays of street art and join a tour to see pieces featuring John Lennon and Amy Winehouse. Drink a beer in one of the many taverns, or book tickets to see a local band who might be the next big thing. And let’s not forget the Camden Markets, where visitors flock looking for tasty snacks and vintage items in the counter-cultural atmosphere.

Some hostels in Camden are above typical English pubs where you can spend your evenings sipping discounted drinks or planning nights out at local gigs. Have a little quiet time in a reading room kitted out with comfy Chesterfield sofas, part of a historic building dating back to 1882. Look out for a Camden hostel with a communal kitchen so you can line your stomach before joining a daily pub crawl or taking a trip to see a live band.

Camden High Street is an iconic, bustling road lined with independent boutiques for punk, goth and vintage shoppers. Tattoo parlours sit alongside second-hand record stores and many have colourful street signs with deigns like giant 3D trainers or dragons. Wander along Regent’s Canal or take a narrowboat trip up to Little Venice from Camden Lock. It's a short walk to celebrity hangout Primrose Hill, where you can climb to the top for views across London's skyline.

There are six markets between Camden Town and Chalk Farm selling everything from fruit and veg to vintage vinyl, so you'll find plenty of quirky shops to explore. Spend a day winding through narrow streets, stopping for delicious bites and artisan drinks. Music venues like the Electric Ballroom, Dingwalls and the Roundhouse have long supported up-and-coming musicians and hosted acts like David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd. You can pay your respects to the late Amy Winehouse at her bronze memorial statue outside Stables Market.

If you're arriving by London Underground, get off at Camden Town station on the High Street. It's on the Northern Line within Zone 2. You can also get off at Chalk Farm and walk to central Camden in under 10 minutes. There's an overland train station, Camden Road, on the other side of Regent’s Canal that connects to other parts of Greater London. A 20-minute walk or 10-minute underground journey will take you to London King's Cross and St Pancras train stations. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are both within an hour's trip on public transport.