Last updated: 29 June 2023
Originally published Dec 2016. Camden in North London is arguably one the most bustling and most diverse of all London boroughs. It has been a hot spot for right-brained creatives for many years and encompasses some iconic neighbourhoods such as Hampstead, Bloomsbury, Primrose Hill and of course Camden Town.
Built around a canal and boasting some of the capital’s best market stalls, Camden is a must-see for visitors seeking to experience the alternative side of London.
On a local level Camden is jam packed with music venues, theatres, art galleries, cinemas and a whopping 16 museums. However if you look a little closer, this Borough has more character within its nooks and crannies, plus it also has a burgeoning street art scene.
READ MORE: Camden’s best cemetery: Highgate cemetery
We teamed up with Intrepid’s sister company Urban Adventures on a grey skyed Saturday to join their Camden Street Art tour. Our guide, Nelly Balazs, is a local street artist herself and a wall organiser for local and international artists seeking a concrete canvas.
Nelly was clear from the outset, the term “street art” is often associated with illegal graffiti like tagging. However, throughout the tour I quickly came to understand there’s a distinct difference between graffiti and street art. Many of the street art pieces are commissioned works from businesses looking to promote their trade, build community spirit, send a political message or simply make use of their wall space.
See also: 7 East London Street Art Locations
As we strolled the Camden streets, it became evident that the works are predominantly impermanent. Works often last longer if there is in agreement between the wall owner and the artist. The work of Alice in the image below is displayed on the wall of a Greek restaurant, it’s one of the longest lasting works in the area.
There’s been many a famous resident in Camden over the years. Names like Charles Dickens, Comedian Julian Clary and the former power couple of Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay singer Chris Martin all called Camden home at one time or another. However the most famous Camden resident in recent years has to be the late, Amy Winehouse. A loyal Camden resident throughout her life, Amy’s profound dedication and love for her beloved Camden is evident by the tribute’s left to her around the Borough.
This enshrined piece was produced by anonymous artist Bambi. Bambi’s work can be seen all over the world, however her identity remains a mystery. It has been rumoured her true identity is that of a high profile celebrity. Allegedly she is everyone from Geri Halliwell to Paloma Faith and Victoria Beckham. While Bambi’s true identity remains as elusive as Batman’s, she did have an interview with the Guardian in October 2015 which you can read here.
The transformation of street art is an oddly organic one. Bambi restored her Winehouse work after it was vandalised. The wall owner, keen to protect the valued art, installed plexiglass was put over it. The plexiglass was subsequently destroyed.
I’ve put together a map of the places mentioned in this post in and around Camden Town. However due to the transient nature of street art, by the time you visit many of the works you see here may be painted over. To put it simply, if the artists themselves accept the temporary lifespan of their work then so should we.
The Essentials
Camden Street Art
- When: Wednesday to Sunday
- Age: Suitable for all ages. Under 6 free
- Duration: 2 hours
- More information: The Camden street art tour is no longer available at Urban Adventures but feel free to check out some of their other tours that are currently available
