A collection of places to go shopping in Camden Town – charity shops, bookshops and places to buy vintage clothes – these are the top spots to shop in London!
Saying that going shopping in Camden Town is a must-do when visiting London is an understatement.
Whether you’re traveling here for the first time or living in London, you will pop by Camden Town at some point.
And if you’re careful enough, you might even avoid getting overpriced souvenirs on the many shops on Camden High Street… giving way to more unique things to buy and bring back home!
Shopping in Camden Town: 13 Spots from Charities to Souvenirs
Living in London for about 5 years taught me a great deal about shopping here…
Namely, that there are countless vintage shops where you’ll be able to create a whole new style for yourself.
Or that you can buy amazing second hand books in pretty much any part of the city, if you know about the best bookshops – and charity shops!
It’s just our luck.
The Camden Town neighborhood is filled with shops from Mornington Crescent station to Camden Town station, both on the bustling Northern Line.
Now, now, whether you’re looking for the best of the best charity shops in Camden Town or are just looking to take a leisurely stroll among the stalls at Stables Market, these here are all the best places to go shopping in the area!
Best Shops in Camden Town: Boom Cat Books, Camden Lock
Those of you who would potentially be on the lookout for second hand books will have to pop by Boom Cat Books, in Camden Lock, at some point.
That’s where you will find cheap and vintage books, a lot of which are literary classics, from Orwell’s 1984 to Tolkien, along with rare titles.
Not only is this a great shop to visit if you’re looking for instagrammable shops, but you’ll also find cheaper books at the front of Boom Cat Books.
It’ll be hard to stop yourself from getting a few new reads!
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Where to Go Shopping in Camden Town: Koo Style, Stables Market
For anything from vintage denim jeans to jackets and shirts, Koo Style in Stables Market is another must-visit if you’d like to do some productive shopping in Camden Town.
The prices are kept very reasonable for such beautiful retro and vintage pieces, a lot of which revolve around the 20-pound mark.
No other shop is similar to Koo Style in the area, a true find if you’re looking for vintage 501’s and proper, thick denim jackets from all kinds of brands!
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Best Shops in Camden Town: Stables Market and Dr Martens
A while back, I told you all about some of London’s best British shops, including, of course, the world famous Dr Martens in the pot – this is indeed a favorite of mine when it comes to long lasting shoes.
At Dr Martens inside Stables Market, you will be able to admire the complete collection of shoes from the brand, including the famous 1461 model, but also seasonal, limited editions.
Stables Market in itself is a place you have to visit when shopping in Camden Town, not only because the aforementioned Koo Style is located there, but also because you have plenty of angles in the market that make for perfect photo spots…
Including the oh-so-colorful umbrella street!
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Where to Go Shopping in Camden Town: Superdrug, Camden High Street
Visiting Superdrug in London is one of the best things you could do if you’re into beauty and makeup – there, you’ll find some of the coolest British makeup brands…
And since Superdrug always has 3×2 deals going on with brands like Barry M, MUA Makeup Academy, Maybelline or even Makeup Revolution, it’s a must-visit.
As opposed to clothing, there are few places to go makeup shopping in Camden Town, aside from maybe the Savers further down the street, but you really cannot miss Superdrug, which almost faces the station and is always well-stocked.
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Best Shops in Camden Town: TK Maxx, Camden High Street
One of the biggest TK Maxx in London, the shop on Camden High Street is another place I tend to pop by quite often when I live in London (I currently share my time between Rome and London).
There are many (cheap!) candle brands at TK Maxx, with Yankee Candle, Sand and Fog and DW Home being three of my favorites, but that’s not all.
In the Camden Town TK Maxx, which tickles other budget shops such as Poundland (perfect for ultra-cheap nail polish, lipsticks and lip liners from Makeup Gallery!), you’ll also find brand new designer clothes, makeup, shoes, jewelry, home decor…
Anything and everything which I consider to be some of the best things to buy in London!
Read: The Best Stationery Shops in London
Where to Go Shopping in Camden Town: Buck Street Market
Buck Street Market, a quaint, colorful market made out of containers, is another must-visit place to go shopping in Camden Town.
It doesn’t matter if you’re after vintage clothes, hand painted sneakers, handmade candles or art pieces – there’s just everything in there.
Including benches if you are waiting for your friends/partner to finish shopping!
Pretty Street is my favorite shop inside Buck Street Market.
I definitely have an addiction to scented candles, and those you will find at Pretty Street are handpoured, eco-friendly, and sold along unique home decor pieces!
Read: The Best Shops in Covent Garden
Best Shops in Camden Town: Stables Market
When it comes to Stables Market, there’s no specific shop I would recommend you visit – just check them all out.
Obviously, it’s more of a touristy shopping spot than one where locals actually go to shop, but since Stables Market, with its countless vintage stalls and umbrella street, is such an instagrammable place, that’s still one to enjoy a stroll in at some point.
Plus, closer to Camden Lock, Stables Market becomes a huge street food market, which I cannot recommend enough.
Whether you’re looking for huge noodle boxes or vegan burgers, you will find something to your liking there!
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Where to Go Shopping in Camden Town: Traid Camden and Charity Shops
I couldn’t write a guide to shopping in Camden Town without mentioning Traid Camden, located on the High Street – this is one of my favorite places to get vintage clothes in town!
From high street brands to more vintage items, you never know what you’re going to find in Camden Town’s charity shops… But it’ll be good.
Other charity shops to visit in the area include the Cancer Research, the British Heart Foundation, Mind in Camden (this one is perfect for books and accessories as well!), and of course, Oxfam.
If you’d like to find less edgy, more high-end items, I would also recommend you pop by the charity shops in Kentish Town.
That’ll give you the ability to check out the colorful streets of Camden, from Kelly Street to Bonny Street and Falkland Road – all much less known than Notting Hill’s colorful houses, but just as inspiring!
Read: The Best Shopping Centers in London
Best Shops in Camden Town: Hans & Gretel
Hans & Gretel is, in my opinion, one of the most unique shops in London; one that tugs at your inner child’s heartstrings with macarons floating from the ceiling, colorful ice cream flavors and gorgeous sculptures in front of the shop.
We’re close to Cyberdog, a black and neon shop filled with edgy clothes, and Hans & Gretel also faces the famous Amy Winehouse statue – which means you’ll most probably spend some time in the area at some point!
Hans & Gretel is definitely a place to visit with kids in London, a fairytale spot to enjoy amazing desserts!
Read: The Best Things to Do in Camden Town
Where to Go Shopping in Camden Town: Camden High Street
Camden High Street is undeniably one of the best shopping streets in London; you do have to know that you will pay more than you should if you shop at one of the ‘touristy’ shops selling sunglasses, branded backpacks and other ‘vintage’ clothes.
Every single one of these shops which lead to Camden Lock is still part of the landscape, and gorgeous to snap pictures of.
The only shops I’ve only ever really trusted in this area are the established brands; this means Size? and Office for fashionable sneakers, as well as one of my favorite streetwear shops in London: Criminal Damage.
There’s not one time I ever spend a couple of hours in Camden Town where I don’t pop by Criminal Damage; the clothes are masculine, with simple shapes, but the prints and embroidered pieces are really eye-catching.
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Best Shops in Camden Town: Cyberdog, Camden Market
Cyberdog, with its neon lights, edgy clothes perfect for raves, neon makeup and other cool hats, is one of my favorite places to go shopping in Camden Town.
Even if this type of fashion is not one you particularly identify with, I promise you that a visit to Cyberdog will let you in on London’s true vibe.
The pieces tend to be mid-priced, with some being completely crazy for such tiny crop tops and shorts, but you won’t find the same kind of clothes anywhere else in London, which is why Cyberdog is an interesting place to visit.
Also, there is often a DJ in the basement of the store, with fire playlists, which makes the visit even cooler!
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Where to Go Shopping in Camden Town: Camden Lock for Street Food
Lastly, another amazing spot to go shopping in Camden Town… is obviously Camden Lock.
It’s also one of my favorite places to see some nature in London, as Camden Lock is established on the shores of Regent’s Canal, which you can walk or cycle down to reach Bethnal Green, Mile End, and even farther, Limehouse and Canary Wharf.
Camden Lock is where Boom Cat Books is located, and there are amazing street food spots there, from overly cheesy pasta to halal burgers, Asian food…
All around Camden Lock, you will also find tables to enjoy your food with a view of the bustling market.
When you are done, make your way to the bridge and take a picture of the boats with the weeping willow in the background!
Shopping in Camden Town: 13 Spots from Charities to Souvenirs
There you have them, all the best places to go shopping in Camden Town, from food to vintage clothes, and from makeup to scented candles!
You’ll hopefully have found here some new spots you hadn’t thought of – I’m thinking of you, Koko Art and Criminal Damage!
If you want to keep shopping, why not make your way to Central London afterwards?
You’ll find amazing shopping arcades there, along Regent Street and Piccadilly, along with really cool shops on Oxford Street!