Camden’s cool vibe and the busy market attracts visitors from around the world. But let me tell you a secret…..once you step away from the High Street and discover the myriad of back streets and alleyways you will find many of the walls awash with vibrant street art.
Let me take you on a Camden Street Art trail… you never know who we will meet.
Click on the links to see the locations on Google Maps or more information on the artists.
We begin at Chalk Farm Tube and walk down Chalk Farm Road, past the Roundhouse until you come to Harmood Street, and a futuristic work by Itaewon.
The next left is Hartland Road, with a mural by Dan Kitchner, who specialises in urban landscapes.
If you are an Amy Winehouse fan you will want to pop across the road into Stables Market, where you find a statue of Camden’s sweetheart, not street art.. but not to be missed.
Amy will make regular appearances on our walk, she lived here and loved Camden. I once saw her having her picture taken with a kid on a back street… I told you that you never know who you might meet in Camden.
But next let’s turn right on Hartland Road into a hidden alleyway/ art gallery…. Hawley Mews, where you will meet a pair of lovers, who says street art can’t be romantic.
Hawley Mews leads onto Hawley Street. where we meet ‘Little Punk’ by Zabou, a London based artist, originally from France.
This painting’s title ‘Little Punk’ is very apt for Camden, which is still home to a few 21st century punks, who hang around the bridge at Camden Lock. Is it just me or is ‘Little Punk’ glaring at Amy across the street ? Amy doesn’t seem too bothered if she is.
Otto Schade’s figures which dominate this wall on Hawley Street seem to be created from ribbons or bandages, like mummies. I love this painting of a rhino.
You are probably ready for some refreshment now, so I recommend you stop at Amy’s favourite pub The Hawley Arms on Castlehaven Road. Urban legend goes that Amy loved to pop behind the bar and pull pints here. The pub exterior has a new Amy painting on the wall.
Other works on Castlehaven Road include this stencil of a child, by Dotmaster, which has been lately joined by a pigeon. The art is always changing, whilst which is part of the joy of wandering around Camden, there is always something new to discover.
Now keep walking down Camden High Street, past the lock and market until you come to Buck Street and the Buck’s Head Pub on the left. Camden has lots of great pubs and a lively music and comedy scene. The Buck’s Head has a new addition to the area’s street art collection by Aeroarts, which is great illustration of how artists are working with businesses to create compelling advertising.
There’s a wall on the corner of Buck Street and Stuckley Place, where the artwork here changes every couple of months. At present this work by Lora Zombie, a successful artist from Russia who is now based in LA.
It replaces a portrait of Amy Winehouse, by Kaptain Kris and Amara por Dios, reflecting the transient nature of street art. I try to record the art of Stuckley Place every time it changes.
I also liked this one from November 2016. I don’t know the artist. I’m afraid.
Continue to Camden Town tube station, taking the left turn onto Camden Road. On the door of no. 16, Camden Road opposite Sainsbury’s, Amy smiles at passerbys. “Did you notice me ?” she seems to be ask. The work is by mysterious street artist Bambi and most be Camden’s most enduring art work, as it was painted in 2010.
Walking back towards the tube station, turn left onto Bayhan Street and left again for Greenland Road and another mini-gallery on Greenland Place.
From there head back onto Bayham Street until you find Camden’s muse, Amy, in another portrait by Bambi on the junction with Pratt Street.
Then venture up Pratt Street to Camden High Street, walking back towards the tube. Turn left towards Parkway at the junction. Half way up Parkway you will find The Earl of Camden Pub and another portrait of Amy by street artist Pegasus.
This is only a selection of the art work in Camden, and as it changes constantly I can’t guarantee that you will see any of the works that I have featured on your travels, but I bet you see some great new ones. I have tried to credit the artist where possible, but if you can fill in any of the blanks please do get in touch. I think this would be a great London activity for teens, it would encourage them to keep up an interest in art. Please feel free to download the photos to your phone and create your own trail.
I hope you enjoyed my staycation inspiration. If you do try any of these activities, I would love to hear from you. What are your tips for a staycation in London ? #staycationinspiration.
I am linking this blog post with #TheListLinky hosted by Aby at youbabymemummy.com.
and also to #culturedkids hosted by Nell Heshram at pigeonpairandme.com
and Catherine Boardman at Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays
The Staycationer 
Oh my the street art is fabulous and I just loved the Rhino and the huge Amy face with the eyes!!! Thank you for sharing this – its just fantastic treat for the eye!!
Visit my blog for the Pergrination Chronicles as I meander through the AtoZchallenge where I am telling travel tales by the alphabet!!
Wish upon the stars
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Thanks for the lovely comments. I’ll check out your blog. Come visit Camden soon.
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(UPDATE MAY 3 2017 – the lovely painting of Amy Winehouse on Stuckley Place has been replaced. I will update the blog very soon with a new photo of the new artwork – I am a bit sad, but such is transient nature of street art )
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Wow I’d love to see these I think we need a trip to Camden next time we visit the UK. I loved the rhino! #thelistlinky
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Glad you enjoyed it. Camden is a unique place in London.
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OMG! This post is awesome and heaven sent for me. We have just been planning my daughter’s 9th bday and are thinking of taking her a couple of friends up to the markets (I’ve never been!). Any tips for the younger set? We’ll definitely be taking them on your tour! Am bookmarking this now! (PS- Great Freebie Opt-In would be a downloadable tourguide :-D) Thank you so much for this excellent post! xxx
#TheListLinky
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I’m so glad you liked it. Camden can be incredibly busy, so make sure you have enough adults too. Perhaps get the kids to wearing matching coats or baseball hats so you can spot them. They will love the crazy trinkets and clothes in the market. There’s a pizza express on Parkway if they fancy pizza. Can I suggest that you download the photos of the street art onto a smartphone, then you can share them and turn it into a treasure hunt, using your phones map function, thus teaching them map reading. London zoo is a ten minute walk. Primrose hill and Regent’s Park close by too. Have fun !
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Fabulous! Thank you so much for all these tips! xx
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(UPDATE MAY 3 2017 – the lovely painting of Amy Winehouse on Stuckley Place has been replaced. I will update the blog very soon with a new photo of the new artwork – I am a bit sad, but such is transient nature of street art )
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Wow, I had no idea there was such vibrant street art in that area. I have visited the market but that is about it. Although,I have never really understood the obsession some have with Amy Winehouse, the art was interesting so thanks for sharing. #CulturedKids
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So glad you liked the post. Amy is an icon in Camden, and is giving the artists plenty of inspiration.
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I love the painting of Amy on the pub, so beautiful. It’s all lovely in fact. Street Art can really add to a place can’t it, or just enhance it? I haven’t been to Camden for years, I should really! 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed the post. Camden has changed loads in recent years. I hope you get to visit soon.
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I need to get myself to Camden to see these. I wonder if the artworks on Stuckley Place are captured somewhere – other than all the photos taken by passers-by. It seems a bit of a shame that these incredible murals disappear on a regular basis. Although I suppose that’s the way life works….great post, thanks for linking up with #CulturedKids
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Hi Nell. It is a pity when art works disappear, but I guess that is the nature of street art. I was musing the Camden’s street art would be worthy of its own blog… if only I had the time…..
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I need to get myself to Camden to see these. I wonder if the artworks on Stuckley Place are captured somewhere – other than all the photos taken by passers-by. It seems a bit of a shame that these incredible murals disappear on a regular basis. Although I suppose that’s the way life works….great post, thanks for linking up with #CulturedKids
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Sorry – just seeing this comment. Yes I agree. I have been trying to take photos of them as they change. I will create a gallery sometime of the ones I have. : )
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I’ve not been to Camden for ages, now you’ve given me a reason to visit again. I especially like the Dan Kitchener
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Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you get to visit Camden soon.
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I’m sure I can find an excuse, half term is looming after all
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lovely photos. While reading it, I feel like i’m walking with you.
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I love checking out the street art in any destination, and find this really cool! I’m very impressed with that painting of just the top of Amy Winehouse’s face — eyes look so real! #culturedkids
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Thanks Elizabeth. Unfortunately that painting has been replaced, such is the transient nature of street art. It was my favourite portrait of Amy too.
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[…] Once in Camden you can mooch around the market or escape to the back streets for a street art tour. I wrote a post about this a while back : https://staycationer.co.uk/2017/04/25/camdens-secret-street-art/ […]
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