This is a feature I wrote for PMA about taking your mum to Camden. This is why I currently have no social life. More stories to come in the following days.
Ask your mum if she wants to go Camden market and she’s likely to mention the Goths, punks and Amy Winehouse as reasons not to go. She might also fret about stores filled with tourist tat, drug paraphernalia, not to mention the heaving crowds of tourists.
But, Amy’s now in rehab, and among the chaos there are many gems that your mum may not be aware of. She’ll find international food, organic food, right next door to high-end establishments. You’ll also find independent fashion designers, leather goods and jewellers so local that their workshops are in the back. You’ll have experiences that couldn’t be had anywhere else, as well as watching the human the spectacle that is an afternoon out in Camden.
Why she’ll love it
It will give her a chance to buy unique handmade clothes and jewellery. She might remember trips up to the market from the 1970s, and taking her for a wander around the vintage stores and through Proud Galleries, will remind both her and you that she’s still pretty cool.
When she wants a coffee and maybe a cake
Yumchaa
Your mum will love Yumchaa, with 25 varieties of tea, big cups, and generous servings of cake and very girly shabby chic decoration. Looking over the West Yard and down to the canal, the picturesque location won’t disappoint either. Camden Lock Market, 91/92 Upper Walkway, West Yard, Camden
Café Crema
For cheap and cheerful coffee head down to Café Crema, canal side at the back of Camden lock market, for unpretentious surroundings and quick service, while still staying close to the action. 75 West Yard, Camden Lock Place London NW1 8AF
When she needs the loo
There are public toilets on the West Yard side of the walkway that connects the Market Hall and the West Yard.
There are also toilets inside the Proud Galleries that service the stables end of the market.
Where to go for lunch
If she’s paying
Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh is in the centre of the Stables Market; the Babylonian styled restaurant will impress her by its ostentatious décor and retractable roof. With celebrity chef Ian Pengelley serving up Pan-Asian cuisine, the food shouldn’t be a let down either. Dining in such an imposing venue doesn’t come cheap; she should expect to pay around £90 for two (including wine). Gilgamesh Restaurant Bar & Lounge, The Stables Market, Chalk, Farm Road, London NW1 8AH
If you’re going Dutch
Inspiral
If you’re feeling the need to go organic then Inspiral is definitely where you want to grab a bite. The relaxed space on the high street is designed not only to serve food but, also works as an environmental outreach project, using the lounge to showcase alternative energy, sustainable building and healthy living. A paradise for vegetarians, vegans and raw foodies, food leans towards the seasonable and the sustainable. 250 Camden High Street, Camden, NW1 8QS
If you’re buying
RG’s Café
RG’s café serves up amazing-looking, monstrously sized Argentinean beef sandwiches made only for the, very hungry. If she is only feeling peckish, it is flanked by Japanese and Italian food stalls which all look quite nice. There is also plenty of seating around there. RG’s Café is in the middle yard at Camden Lock Market.
Clothes and Jewellery
Nicola Quilter skirts
Nicola Quilter’s beautifully adorned skirts are buried between the tat and knock offs of Buck Street Market. The hems of her skirts are adorned with dandelion, daisy and feather designs and come in a range of lengths. Your mum will appreciate the quality of the finish and Quilter’s enlightened sizing system, which runs from tiny through to voluptuous. The eye-catching skirts will almost certainly be a talking point the next time mum catches up with her girlfriends.
Buck Street Market, High Street Camden.
Gohil’s Leather Goods
No visit to Camden would be complete without going to Gohil’s leather goods. Gohil’s boots were a must-have item for rockers in the late 60s. These days they sell finely crafted handbags, belts and sandals.
246 Camden High Street, Camden London, NW1 8QS
Stella
Stella is a calm clothing oasis in the midst of the market hall. It has been serving mothers and daughters for 20 years. Selling classics with a twist and stocking brands such as Day Birger et Mikkelsen and Hoss Intropia. She will enjoy the beautifully tailored white shirts and you will enjoy the quirky accessories. She might wind up paying a bit more than on the stalls, but at least she will feel comfortable knowing she’s in familiar territory.
5 Market Hall Camden Lock 201-206 Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8AF
Roger Stone
Roger Stone has been creating his unique designs from his workshop for more than 25 years. Finding beautiful silver earrings and rings as well as a wide range of men’s jewellery your mum will love the opportunity to pick up these original designs as gifts for either for herself or for everyone around her.
68 West Yard, Camden Lock, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF
Things to do
Palmistry
If she’s getting right into the Camden vibe it might be wise to stop her before she starts investing in Goth boots and threatening to cover herself in tattoos. Instead why not head to Gary Markwick’s stand to get her palm read. Having read the palms of celebrities and coverage on BBC radio 4, he could just be the real deal. It costs £15 for 12 minutes. Ground floor, Market Hall, Camden Lock place, Camden Lock market. Camden Town London NW1
Proud Galleries
Take your mum to Proud Galleries and she’s bound to get nostalgic for her rock and roll days through the 60s and 70s. With images on display of a wide variety of artists, from the Beatles through to Bowie and Bob Dylan, your mum will feel reassured that her heroes are cool again. Head to the bar, pick up a glass of wine and sit in one of the converted stables and cringe as she tells you who she and Dad were listening to when you were conceived.
Vintage Clothes
Once you recover from the revelations at Proud, wander among the vintage clothing stalls around the horse tunnel area in at the back of the Stables market. Here you’ll find some bargains and you might just stumble upon something that she wore in the 70s (and if you’re lucky still has in the back of a closet somewhere.)
Boat Trip
Your mum will enjoy a cruise along the canal. Jenny Wren canal boat cruises will take you past London Zoo and Regent’s Park, then to Robert Browning’s island in Little Venice. Jenny Wren is provides picnics if you want to have lunch on the boat.
Cruises run at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, and 4.30pm and take an hour and a half, costing £8.50 a ticket.
Furnishings
Hazra Enterprises
If she’s feeling inspired to refurnish the family home after lunch at the Babylonian styled Gilgamesh, then go to Hazra Enterprises would be where she should go. The store resembles a Moroccan souk, only without the mint tea. They stock antique furniture sourced from all around the world. Your mum will find their sideboards something spectacular.
in the far corner of the horse tunnel market.
Kalimantan creations
Your Mum will enjoy exploring through the labyrinthine space filled with ethnographic artefacts in the strangest collection of curios in Camden. From carousel horses through to tribal masks from most countries in Asia, if it’s weird and wonderful, you will probably be able to find it here. The owner, Thierry Durieux will also work with you and his production teams in Indonesia to help create special projects.
The Livery, Unit 92 Stables Market Chalk Farm Road Camden Town London NW1 8AH