Nestled between Primrose Hill and Chalk Farm, the district of Camden Town occupies a relatively central position within the North West London borough of Camden. It sits just 2.5 miles away from Charing Cross, and is one of Greater London's 34 major centres.
In 2021 the overall average property price in Camden Town was £888,602. This figure was higher than in the borough's most affordable area which was High Holborn, with its average price of £535,000. Conversely property in Camden Town was significantly more affordable than in Primrose Hill, where the average property price stood at £1,868,962.
Flats accounted for most of the property sold in Camden in 2021, with the average flat selling for £719,708. Camden Town also has a good stock of terraced and semi-detached properties, which fetched an average price of £1,491,919 and £1,310,540 respectively.
Overall property prices in Camden Town fell by 6% from 2020. They are also 9% lower than in 2018 when the average peaked at £976,245.
What is living in Camden Town like?
Camden Town has been an important part of the capital since the development of the railways, however until the mid-20th century it was widely viewed as a distinctly unfashionable place to live. Clearly things have changed significantly since then, and Camden Town is now one of the most sought after areas in the capital.
Known for its street markets, Camden Town is one of those rare locations where it's essentially possible to find anything and everything you may possibly want or need. From bric-a-brac to street food, clothing, crafts and more, there are vendors selling an array of goods at Camden Market.
Thanks to its proximity to Regent's Canal to the north, there are numerous boat trips that sail from Camden Lock, which are beautiful in the warmer months. Camden Lock also benefits from weekend street markets, and a cycle and pedestrian route which runs from the Islington Tunnel to Little Venice.
There is so much to do in the district that it's simply impossible to list everything but a few highlights are the Roundhouse, which is a much-loved music and theatre venue, and nearby Primrose Hill and Regent's Park, which offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy being outside.
Living in Camden Town pros and cons
Pro: Camden Town occupies an excellent location with strong transport links
As you may expect from the district that has it all, Camden Town benefits from excellent transport links. Camden Town tube station is well-positioned next to the hustle and bustle of the markets and it sits on the Northern line, where the High Barnet and Edgware branches merge. Mornington Crescent, Kentish Town and Chalk Farm tube stations are also within easy reach.
Camden Road railway station is on the North London line of the Overground, which provides connectivity to numerous locations including Clapham Junction, Stratford and Richmond. Additionally Euston and Kings Cross St Pancras are located just a 20-minute walk away.
As a hub for London buses, there are numerous routes which run through the district including the 24 between Hampstead Heath and Pimlico, the 88 between Clapham Common and Parliament Hill and several night services which operate between 11pm and 6am.
And if all that wasn't enough, Camden Town also benefits from a well-maintained cycling infrastructure, including dedicated cycle tracks which run along Royal College Street and past Camden Road railway station. Cyclists can also use the shared-use Regent's Canal towpath, which connects the district to Angel, King's Cross, Maida Vale and Regent's Park.
Con: Camden Town is within the ULEZ zone
Although the area sits just outside the Congestion Charge zone it is well within the expanded ULEZ zone, which may prove to be an issue for drivers. Vehicles must conform to emissions standards to avoid the £12.50 daily charge to drive within the zone.
Is Camden Town a safe place to live?
In the Camden Town with Primrose Hill SNT area, there were 5,604 criminal incidents reported between February 2020 and January 2021. During this period there were 1,956 reports of theft, 1,287 reports of violent crime, 551 drug offences and 433 public order offences. Crime peaked in the area in October 2021, when there were 339 reports made in a single four-week period. This is considerably higher than in January 2021, when there were just 123 reports made. Crime did fall between October and December 2021, when there were 226 crimes reported.
Data from the Metropolitan Police illustrates that there were 53 reports of miscellaneous theft, 41 reports of theft from a person and 25 cases of harassment recorded in November 2021. There were several crime hot-spots including around Camden Town tube station, Camden Market Buck Street and to the west of Chalcot Square Gardens. Crime was higher in this four-week period in Camden Town with Primrose Hill than it was in both the borough of Camden and the wider London area. Camden Town with Primrose Hill saw 21 crimes per 1,000 residents, compared to 12 crimes per 1,000 residents across Camden, and eight crimes per 1,000 residents across London.
Which celebrities live in Camden Town?
Camden Town has been popular amongst famous faces for decades. Playwright Allen Bennet spent many years living on Gloucester Crescent, with Margaret Fairchild living on his driveway in a van, which is a story immortalised in the film 'The Lady in the Van' released in 2015. Poet Dylan Thomas owned and lived at 54 Delancy Street from the early 1950s, and today an English Heritage blue plaque can be seen on the property to mark this connection.
Amy Winehouse was also a Camden Town resident who spent time living on Prowse Place and Camden Square. Following her untimely death she has been fondly referred to as 'The Queen of Camden', and a bronze statue was unveiled in Stables Market in 2014 to celebrate her life.
Camden Town's musical connections don't end here, as hip-hop group N-Dubz, ska band Madness and singer Dua Lipa have all lived in the area. Other notable residents include former professional footballer Ashley Keane, musical theatre performer Donna King, and actor Freddie Highmore.
Things to consider when moving to Camden Town
Camden Markets attract more than 25 million tourists every year, so it goes without saying that Camden Town is an extremely busy area. If you're looking to live somewhere that is lively and fast-paced, this could be the ideal location for you. However if you're looking for a somewhat more peaceful lifestyle, another district may be better suited to your needs.
Although efforts are ongoing to improve air quality across the capital, Camden is an extremely busy district and as such residents are typically exposed to levels of air pollution that are more than twice the amount recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This certainly isn't the worst affected part of the city, but is worth noting.
Some of Camden Town's streets are more sought after than others, particularly those that are within the catchment area of the best schools. Camden School for Girls secondary is widely regarded as one of the best in the borough of Camden, which pushes up purchase and rental prices in the surrounding area.
It is also worth noting that Camden is one of the London boroughs that is most affected by subsidence, so obtaining a comprehensive survey prior to agreeing a purchase should be viewed as an essential and not an optional extra.