Discover the Stables Market
The Stables Market is one part Victorian horse hospital, one part underground clothing bazaar, and entirely its own charming maze of shops, stalls, and street food. Cobbled yards give way to neon PVC outfits, vintage leather jackets jostle for space next to handmade crafts, and the scent of Jamaican patties mingles with incense from the new age stalls.
Part of the larger Camden Market complex, the Stables Market is a feast for the senses—a place where history, subculture, and serious style meet. With over 1,000 spots to shop, eat, explore, and snap a selfie, the Stables is the ultimate London adventure waiting to happen. Basically, anyone in search of the weird and wonderful, will find it here.
But where did it all begin? Let’s trot back through time…
A Former Horse Hospital: The History of Stables Market
Long before neon rave gear and vegan bao buns took over, the Stables Market had a much more... hoof-heavy vibe.
Dating back to the 19th century, horses housed in the Pickfords stables pulled barges along the Regent’s Canal and kept the nearby railway yards moving. There was even a horse hospital on site to tend to equine emergencies.
Horses were essential to London's goods trade, hauling carts along the canal and the surrounding railway yards. In fact, the sprawling stables here once housed over 400 working horses, making this spot a key logistics hub in Victorian London.
Fast-forward to the 1970s and the area was ripe for reinvention. With Camden’s gritty charm attracting artists, punks, and creatives of all kinds, the once-functional stables morphed into a haven for bohemian traders, antique sellers, and indie stallholders.
Chain stores were barred, keeping the spirit fiercely independent: you’ll only find small traders hawking everything from 20th-century antiques to goth-and-cybergoth gear. A major redevelopment in 2006–07 added permanent indoor halls, new walkways through 25 restored railway arches, glass canopies, and even bicycle parking.
Today, the Stables Market still has many of its original structures. Look closely and you’ll spot horse-themed sculptures, ramps, railway viaducts, and historic cobblestones that nod to its storied past. Even the layout—a network of winding paths and hidden arches—showcases its equestrian roots.
Despite corporate interest over the years—notably a 2014 acquisition spree and a multi-billion-pound sale listing in 2022—the market has stayed true to its indie roots. The Stables Market remains defiantly local, creative, and unapologetically offbeat.
Shopping at Stables Market
If the Stables Market had a personality, it’d be the effortlessly stylish rebel in a vintage leather jacket who in true hipster fashion somehow knows every band before they’re famous.
But first things first—leave your “safe choices” at the door. The Stables Market is a catwalk of creativity, where goth glam rubs shoulders with boho chic, punk reigns supreme, and vintage is always in vogue.
Here, indie designers, thrift stall veterans, and alt-fashion lovers offer everything from velvet corsets and tartan trousers to oversized band tees and handmade leather bags. And if your inner cybergoth has been dormant, one trip to Cyberdog—Camden’s temple to all things futuristic and fluorescent—will definitely wake them up.
Feeling more Victorian vampire than space alien? Pop into Black Rose, where you can score everything from coffin-shaped handbags to lace-up boots. Die for second-hand trinkets? You’ll find everything from Bakelite radios to old-school cameras.
Pssst! Not all treasure glitters. Some of it comes in the form of vintage books, quirky figurines, odd antiques, and things you didn’t know you needed until five minutes ago. This is the spot where London’s attic has exploded into a market. One stall might sell Victorian pocket watches, another might have a collection of creepy-cool dolls, and the next has shelves of vintage comics and rare records.
In short: expect the unexpected. And if you're not sure what you're looking for? Don’t worry—the market knows. It will find you.
Tip: Keep an eye out for pop‑up art exhibitions, tattoo tents, and occasional night‑time markets with DJs spinning tunes until late.
The Stables Market, Food Corners: North Yard & West Yard
The Stables Market is a bit like a music festival—loud, colourful, and divided into zones where you can discover your own groove.
North Yard
If your tastebuds are constantly chasing their next thrill, North Yard is where you need to be. It's brimming with independent eateries that serve everything from flame-grilled seafood to Middle Eastern comfort food. One minute you’re biting into a Yorkshire burrito, the next you’re downing a spiced chai with an Indian twist.
- Epicurus: Middle Eastern dishes that’ll make you rethink what you thought brunch could be.
- The Cheese Bar: A whole restaurant dedicated to British cheese. Need we say more?
- Octopus Kebab: Seafood with attitude. Their octopus doner is Camden’s new culinary crush.
- Jugad by Foodhak: Indian classics with a healthy (but still delicious) modern spin.
- Humble Crumble: British desserts levelled up. It’s crumble, but cool.
- Hans & Gretel: A sugar fantasyland where you can eat your way through a fairy tale.
- The Dark Horse: Think Sunday roasts and fish & chips served alongside live music and strong pub vibes.
West Yard
More of a grab-it-and-go type? West Yard is your stop. This part of the market is packed with street food stalls slinging everything from wood-fired pizza, Venezuelan arepas, vegan sushi, or spicy Trinidadian doubles. Here’s some highlights:
- MeatHead Mexican: Birria tacos with that juicy drip you’ve seen all over TikTok.
- Melts: Basically, the holy grail for grilled cheese lovers.
The Cheese Wheel: Fresh pasta, swirled and served in a wheel of parmesan. Iconic. - Stakehaus: Serving up chargrilled steaks—including futuristic 3D printed vegan ones, no joke.
Pro tip: grab your chosen feast and find a perch along Regent’s Canal. Watching boats drift by while munching on handmade falafel? Pure bliss.
Oh, and veggies and vegans—don’t fret. You’re well-fed and welcome here, with plenty of plant-based bites in every direction.
Things to Do at Stables Market
Now, shopping and eating are only half the story. Stables Market is also your one-stop shop for quirky experiences and weekend mischief.
- Peaky Blinders: The Rise: Step into the smoky world of 1920s Birmingham in this interactive theatre experience. Flat caps optional, but encouraged.
- Babylon Park: This underground theme park is like a retro-futuristic dream. It’s got arcades, space rides, and neon everything.
- Curzon Cinema: If your idea of relaxing is kicking back with a good film in a stunning, secret cinema space, this is your sanctuary.
- Tomb Raider: The Live Experience: Climb, crawl, and puzzle-solve your way through Lara Croft’s world. It’s like being in a video game but sweatier.
Oh and don’t be surprised if you stumble upon a busker belting Queen classics, or a pop-up gig drawing a crowd mid-aisle. This place hums with a soundtrack of pure London grit and groove.
Top tip: Umbrella Alley—an overhang strung with colorful brollies—makes for the perfect selfie backdrop.
Other Markets in the Camden Market Family
Camden isn’t just one market. It’s a glorious patchwork of many—each with its own personality, like a gang of eccentric siblings. Here's the lowdown:
Camden Lock Market
Right on the scenic banks of Regent’s Canal, this is the artsy heart of Camden. Think handmade crafts, indie art, and street food from every corner of the globe.
Buck Street Market
Bright pink and built out of shipping containers, this place screams fashion. It’s where you’ll find trend-hunting teens, vegan skincare, and statement accessories galore.
Inverness Street Market
Camden’s original market, dating back to the early 1900s. It’s had a glow-up, but still retains its old-school charm with fruit and veg stalls rubbing shoulders with modern food joints and indie retailers.
Hawley Wharf
The newest kid on the block! This riverside development brings a sleek touch to Camden’s creative chaos. There’s shopping, eating, co-working—and even a waterside rooftop bar if you want to sip a nice chilled glass of wine against the backdrop of London.
Electric Ballroom
By day, this venue morphs into a vintage-lovers’ paradise. By night, it’s one of Camden’s most legendary live music venues. Double the personality, double the fun.
A Little Note on Ownership (for the curious minds)
Camden’s markets have come a long way from simple weekend stalls. In the early 2010s, Israeli investor Teddy Sagi went on a bit of a buying spree and snapped up major sections of the area. Plans to pump £300 million into transforming Camden followed, and the market’s grown into a blend of old soul and modern sparkle.
As of now, it's all under the umbrella of LabTech—a London-based company that’s turned Camden into more than a market. It's practically a lifestyle. With co-working hubs, residential spots, and entertainment spaces like Babylon Park thrown into the mix, this isn’t just shopping—it's an experience.
Visiting the Stables Market
If you’ve ever fancied falling down a rabbit hole of boho treasures, sizzling street food, and the kind of people-watching that could rival a Wes Anderson film, then Camden’s Stables Market is your wonderland.
Tucked behind the iconic Camden Lock and spread across a maze of cobbled walkways and historic stable buildings (yes, real stables!), this is where London’s eccentric soul kicks off its boots, lets its piercings glitter, and throws open its vintage leather jacket with pride.
- Opening Hours: Every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Food stalls often hang around longer, especially on weekends when the vibe is full throttle.
Getting There (Without Getting Lost)
- By Tube: Hop off at Camden Town or Chalk Farm on the Northern Line. If you’re crowd-averse, sneak in via Mornington Crescent and take the scenic canal stroll.
- By Bus: Routes 24, 27, 31, 29, 134, 214 and 393 will all drop you close.
Top Tip: Skip the car. Trust us. There’s barely room for your thoughts, let alone your vehicle.
When to Go
If you like your shopping chill, go on a weekday morning—before the selfie-stick crowd arrives. But if you’re after the real Camden buzz, the weekends are where it’s at. Sure, it’s busy. But so’s Glastonbury. Embrace the chaos.
And don’t dash off too soon—Camden after dark is a different beast altogether. Live music, neon-lit bars, and the kind of nightlife that dances till dawn.
Explore Beyond Stables Market with CityDays
Once you've maxed out your tote bags and feasted your way through five continents of food stalls, why not keep the adventure going?
CityDays offers immersive, interactive scavenger and treasure hunt tours across London (and beyond!) that let you see the city in a whole new light. Perfect for friends, family, or team building activities, our trails mix riddles, clues, history, and local oddities into an unforgettable experience.
Imagine unlocking Camden’s secrets via cryptic clues, hopping between hidden pubs, quirky art corners, and bizarre local trivia—all while solving puzzles with your crew. It’s like a walking escape room... only better.
So finish that vegan taco, sling your Camden treasures over your shoulder, and keep the fun rolling. Your next adventure is just a clue away.
