In 1791 Winston Churchill's ancestor and politician Charles Pratt, the Earl of Camden, gave his name to the north side of London and began to develop it by slowly building houses and estates on both sides of the road. The Earl wanted to create a quiet residential area for the educated upper and middle classes. However, contrary to his wishes, the opening of the Regent's Canal in 1820 and the construction of the railroad divided the suburb into two parts not only geographically but also culturally. While the bourgeois occupied the Regent's Park area, Camden Town itself was overrun by warehouses, factories, and with them ordinary workers. Piano-making and piano-making were the main trades in Camden Town. Traditional spirits, such as wine and gin, were also produced here, and inns began to appear on every corner. At the end of a hard day's work, people would gather in the pubs for a mug of draught beer and feel part of a large and friendly community. Perhaps this is how the neighbourhood became a special place where any kind of judgement was alien. By 1910, Camden was home to many theatres and cinemas, which gradually improved its reputation among central Londoners.
The advent of the 1960s marked a big change in the history of the neighborhood. It was a time of free speech and self-expression: skirts got shorter, clothes got brighter, hairstyles got taller, and rock 'n' roll began to shake the country.
The centre of the cultural revolution against society's imposed rules was a place called Roundhouse. The building, originally owned by a locomotive depot and later converted into a gin distillery, was turned into a concert hall. At its opening on 15 October 1966, the then little-known Pink Floyd group debuted. In fact, it was London's first night rave. It was here that the biggest British performers and rock icons of the 20th century were born: David Bowie, Elton John, Patti Smith and many others. Hippies, glam-rockers, punks - all the fashion movements and subcultures of the world met at Roundhouse in the 1970s. Experimental psychedelic rock music, copying or amplifying the effects of hallucinogenic drugs, was rapidly gaining popularity among young people. Legend has it that someone spiked the red wine with LSD at one of the Atomic Sunrise concerts. The Roundhouse concert hall played a fundamental role in the formation of British music, gave the world iconic musicians and is still an integral part of Camden's soul.
Gradually, many recording studios sprang up in Camden, and the area itself has been featured on dozens of music album covers. For example, the members of the British music band The Clash posed for their eponymous debut album on an old tram ramp opposite the Rehearsals Rehearsals studio. It later became part of Camden's largest market, Stables Market, and the old ramp became an important tourist attraction. A surge of young musical discoveries in the 1980s gave the world Debbie Harry, The Cure, the Sex Pistols and dozens of other talents, which finally cemented Camden's status as the epicentre of the UK music scene.
Music shopping in Camden is a topic for a separate conversation. However, everyone who comes here should check out the Cyberdog rave clothing store located in the market. It will definitely be one of the most authentic and memorable shopping experiences of your life.
Take a walk past the monument to singer Amy Winehouse, which was erected in the market square in 2014. The place for the monument was not chosen by chance: the monument to the British singer is placed near her home. The opening was timed to coincide with Amy Winehouse's birthday: she was supposed to turn 31 on September 14. The monument is made of life-size bronze by sculptor Scott Eaton commissioned by the singer's father.
A place no walk in Camden is without. It's worth strolling along the antique aisles, taking photos in the vintage booth and sampling the local street food. There's so much to choose from, it's almost impossible to go wrong.
In 1973 Dingwalls Dancehall opened in Camden, another now world-famous music venue. The venue was famous for the rebellious spirit of Britain's thriving punk scene, inspiring audiences with an intoxicating sense of freedom and an unprecedented energy boost.
The clubs, bars and music halls of this truly iconic area are living illustrations of British music history. KOKO, Green Note, Dublin Castle, Lock Tavern, Electric Ballroom-the list goes on and on. Camden can boldly claim to be the birthplace of rock and roll and year after year it continues to lure music lovers from all over the world. With its vibrant past and eclectic present, it's an endless source of inspiration for many, and the area's residents are proud to call it home.
A walk through the neighborhood can be completed by walking to the home of the famous British singer, where fans still come and leave words of condolence for the Winehouse family.