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Camden Town

Coordinates: 51°32′28″N 0°08′36″W / 51.541°N 0.1433°W / 51.541; -0.1433
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Contained in, but not identical with, London Borough of Camden
For the tube station, see Camden Town tube station. For the electoral district, see Camden Town (ward). For the song by Suggs, see The Lone Ranger (album).

Camden Town
Camden High Street, near where it becomes Chalk Farm Road (facing towards Chalk Farm)
Camden Town is located in Greater London
Camden Town
Camden Town
Location within Greater London
Population24,538 (Camden Town with Primrose Hill and Cantelowes wards, 2011)[1]
OS grid referenceTQ295845
• Charing Cross2.5[2] mi (4.0 km) SSE
London borough
Ceremonial countyGreater London
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townLONDON
Postcode districtNW1, NW5
Dialling code020 (London)
PoliceMetropolitan
FireLondon
AmbulanceLondon
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°32′28″N 0°08′36″W / 51.541°N 0.1433°W / 51.541; -0.1433

Camden Town (/ˈkæmdən/ ⓘ), often shortened to Camden, is an area in the London Borough of Camden, around 2.5 miles (4.1 km) north-northwest of Charing Cross.[2] Historically in Middlesex, it is identified in the London Plan as one of 34 major centres in Greater London.

Laid out as a residential district from 1791 and originally part of the manor of Kentish Town and the parish of St Pancras, Camden Town became an important location during the early development of the railways, which reinforced its position on the London canal network. The area's industrial economic base has been replaced by service industries such as retail, tourism and entertainment. The area now hosts street markets and music venues associated with alternative culture.[3]

History

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The ancient parishes, west to east, of Paddington and St Marylebone (in the modern City of Westminster), and St Pancras, including Camden Town (in the modern London Borough of Camden) in 1834

Toponymy

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Camden Town is named after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden. His earldom was styled after his estate, Camden Place near Chislehurst in Kent (now in the London Borough of Bromley), formerly owned by historian William Camden.[4] The name, which appears on the Ordnance Survey map of 1822,[5] was later applied to the early-20th-century Camden Town Group of artists and the London Borough of Camden, created in 1965.[6]

Urban development

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The emergence of the industrial revolution in the 19th century meant Camden was the  North Western Railway's terminal stop in 1837. It was where goods were transported off the tracks and onto the roads of London by 250 000 workhorses.[7] The whole area was adapted to a transportation function: the Roundhouse (1846), Camden Lock and the Stables were examples of this.

Camden Town stands on land that was once the manor of Kentish Town.[6] Sir Charles Pratt, a radical 18th-century lawyer and politician, acquired the manor through marriage. In 1791, he started granting leases for houses to be built in the manor.[6] In 1816, the Regent's Canal was built through the area.[8] Up to at least the mid-20th century, Camden Town was considered an "unfashionable" locality.[9] The Camden Markets, which started in 1973 and have grown since then, attract many visitors. A 1993 bomb blast injured 18 people on Camden High Street. On 9 February 2008, Camden Canal market suffered a major fire, but there were no injuries.[10] It later reopened as Camden Lock Village,[11] until closed in 2015 for redevelopment.[12]

Governance

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Camden Town was contained within the Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras between 1900 and 1965, when it became part of the new London Borough of Camden, of which it is the namesake and administrative centre.

Political constituencies

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[needs update] Camden Town is contained in the following political constituencies for different purposes, listed with some incumbents as of December 2022:

Geography

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Camden Town is on relatively flat ground at 100 feet (30 m) above sea level, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north-northwest of Charing Cross. To the north are the hills of Hampstead and Highgate; to the west is Primrose Hill. The culverted, subterranean River Fleet flows from its source on Hampstead Heath through Camden Town south to the River Thames.[14] The Regent's Canal runs through the north of Camden Town.

Economy

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Stables market horse sculptures

At the end of the 20th century, entertainment-related businesses began moving into the area, and a Holiday Inn was built abutting the canal. A number of retail and food chain outlets replaced independent shops, driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants with a variety of culinary traditions thrived, many of them near the markets, on Camden High Street and its side streets, Parkway, Chalk Farm Road, and Bayham Street. The plan to redevelop the historic Stables Market led to a steel and glass extension, built on the edges of the site in 2006, and increased the market's capacity.

Camden street markets

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Main article: Camden Market

Camden is well known for its markets. These date from 1974 or later, except for Inverness Street market, for over a century a small food market serving the local community,[15] though by 2013 all foodstuff and produce stalls had gone and only touristy stalls remained. Camden Lock Market proper started in a former timber yard in 1973, and is now surrounded by five more markets: Buck Street market, Stables market, Camden Lock Village, and an indoor market in the Electric Ballroom. The markets are a major tourist attraction at weekends, selling goods of all types, including fashion, lifestyle, books, food, junk/antiques and more bizarre items; they and the surrounding shops are popular with young people, in particular, those searching for "alternative" clothing. While originally open on Sundays only,[16] market activity later extended throughout the week, though concentrating on weekends.

Performance venues

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Transport

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The Regent's Canal waterbus service

London Underground

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Camden Town tube station is near the markets and other attractions. Chalk Farm and Mornington Crescent tube stations are also within walking distance. This station is a key interchange station for the Northern line, both northbound (towards Edgware or High Barnet/Mill Hill East) and southbound (via Bank or Charing Cross).[17]

When the station was designed in 1907 the line, and the station, had to pass exactly below the narrow streets to avoid having to pay landowners for access. The platforms of the station are consequently very narrow, and the station has one platform directly above another. There is an air raid shelter under the station used during the Second World War; many stations were used as air raid shelters, but few had dedicated shelters.[18]

After the area increased in popularity with the introduction of the markets the narrow platforms became dangerously overcrowded, particularly on Sunday afternoons. London Underground made many proposals to upgrade the station. In 2004 a proposal requiring the compulsory purchase and demolition of 'the Triangle'—land bordered by Kentish Town Road, Buck Street and Camden High Street—was rejected by Camden Council after opposition from local people; of 229 letters, only two supported the scheme. It was later planned to redevelop the station entirely between 2020 and 2024/5, with less demolition than proposed previously, but the redevelopment was postponed in December 2018 by TfL "until we have the funds we need";[19] no work had been announced as of September 2023.

Early in the 21st century the station closed to outbound passengers on Sunday afternoons due to the danger due to overcrowding of the narrow platforms during busy market hours.[18] Mornington Crescent, Chalk Farm, and Kentish Town stations, within walking distance, remained open. The restriction was extended temporarily due to escalator renovation,[20] and removed due to reduced traffic during the peak of the covid pandemic from 2020, but the Sunday afternoon closure continues, and outbound access is via a long spiral staircase instead of an escalator at other busy times when many market visitors arrive.

Rail

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Camden Road is a London Overground station at the corner of Royal College Street and Camden Road, on the line from Richmond in the West to Stratford station in the East. The nearest National Rail station is Kentish Town station on the Thameslink route on the Midland Main Line. St Pancras International, Euston, and King's Cross terminals are within 20 minutes' walk of Camden Town.

Bus routes

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The area is a major hub for London Buses.[21] The following routes serve Camden Town: 24 (24 hour), 27, 29, 31, 46, 88 (24 hour), 134 (24 hour), 168, 214 (24 hour), 253, 274 and Night Bus Routes N5, N20, N27, N28, N29, N31, N253 and N279.

Roads

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The twin Camden Locks

Parts of the A503 (Camden Road) and A400 (Camden High Street and Camden Street) are designated as red routes on which vehicles may not stop for any reason, managed by Transport for London (TfL) rather than the borough.[22] Black taxis ply for hire in the area and there are minicab offices.[23]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, from about March 2020 roadworks were carried out to make many side roads more suitable for cycling and reduce vehicle traffic. This led to traffic jams described as "gridlock", and opposition.[24]

Cycling

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Transport for London and Camden Council both provide and maintain cycling infrastructure in Camden Town. Segregated cycle tracks run alongside Royal College Street to the east of Camden Town, past Camden Road railway station.[25] Cycling provision changes from time to time—in particular, cycling provisions were added during the COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020. Current provision information (open and proposed cycle routes, Santander Cycles docking stations) is on the TfL Web site.[26] The CycleStreets mobile app finds suitable routes throughout the UK, including Camden Town.

The Regent's Canal towpath is a shared-use pedestrian and cycle path maintained by the Canal and River Trust. The towpath links Camden Town to Angel and King's Cross to the east, and Regent's Park and Maida Vale in the west.[25][27]

The London-wide Santander Cycles cycle hire scheme operates in Camden Town. There are several docking stations, some near rail and Tube stations.[28]

Cycle counters on Royal College Street to the north of Camden Road railway station recorded over 375,000 journeys between August 2017 and July 2018.[29][30]

Regent's Canal

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A warm summer day at the Camden Lock
Main article: Regent's Canal

Regent's Canal runs through the north end of Camden Town. Canal boat trips along the canal from Camden Lock are popular, particularly in summer. Many of the handrails by the bridges show deep marks worn by the towropes by which horses pulled canal barges until the 1950s, and it is still possible to see ramps on the canal bank designed to assist horses that fell in the canal after being startled by the noise of a train. Camden Lock is a regularly used traditional manually operated double canal lock operating between widely separated levels. A large complex of weekend street markets operates around the Lock. The towpath is a pedestrian and cycle route which runs continuously from Little Venice through Camden Lock to the Islington Tunnel.[31] A regular waterbus service operates along the Regent's Canal from Camden Lock. Boats depart every hour during the summer, heading westward around Regent's Park, calling at London Zoo and on towards Maida Vale. Sightseeing narrow-boat trips run from Camden Lock to Little Venice.

Notable places

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Ambedkar House
Street art close to the Camden Market
Punks close to the Electric Ballroom
Shops on Camden High Street (picture facing towards Chalk Farm)

Camden Highline

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Main article: Camden Highline

A new park and walkway utilising the former railway alignment between Camden Town and Kings Cross was given planning permission in January 2023.[41][42]

Notable people

[edit]
Bronze statue of Amy Winehouse in Camden Town, London unveiled in September 2014
  • B. R. Ambedkar (social reformer, jurist and LSE graduate) lived at 10, King Henry Road, Camden Town, now known as Ambedkar House, in 1921 and 1922.
  • Beryl Bainbridge lived in Albert Street from the 1960s until her death in 2010.[43]
  • Playwright Alan Bennett lived in Gloucester Crescent for many years. Margaret Fairchild (aka Miss Shepherd) lived in a van on his driveway.[44]
  • Charles Dickens's second London home was in Bayham Street in 1822. He later moved to 112 Little College Street (now College Place),[45] where he boarded with Elizabeth Roylance, a family friend, whom Dickens later immortalised as "Mrs. Pipchin" in Dombey and Son.
  • Actor and singer Anthony Head was born in Camden Town.
  • Physicist, mathematician, and engineer Oliver Heaviside was born in Camden Town.[46]
  • Author and journalist Bernard Levin grew up in Camden Town's Plender Street.[47]
  • Richard Ryan lived in Camden Town from 1819 until his death in 1849.
  • Boxer Tom Sayers lived in Camden, and died at No. 257 Camden High Street in 1865. The house now has a plaque.[48]
  • Bandleader Pasquale Troise lived at Rochester Terrace in the 1930s.[49]
  • Painter Walter Sickert lived and worked as part of the Camden Town Group in Mornington Crescent.[50] In 1908 he painted a group of four paintings collectively titled The Camden Town Murder, in reference to the notorious Camden Town Murder case of 1907.
  • Poet Dylan Thomas owned a house at 54 Delancey Street from 1951 until his death in 1953.[51] There is a plaque on the house today.
  • Singer Amy Winehouse lived in Camden Town for many years. First buying a flat at 2 Jeffrey's Place in 2003 and then at 25 Prowse Place in 2008.[52] In 2010, she moved to 30 Camden Square where she was found dead on July 23, 2011.[53] Winehouse was strongly associated with Camden Town.[3] Since her death she has been entitled as "The Queen of Camden" and a bronze statue of her was placed in Stables Market on what would have been her 31st birthday, 14 September 2014.
  • Hip-hop trio N-Dubz are from and grew up in the area.
  • Music Band Madness are from and grew up in Camden Town and surrounding areas.
  • Actor Daniel Kaluuya was raised on a council estate in Camden Town.
  • Singer Eliza Doolittle grew up in the area.
  • Jazz Musician Nubya Garcia was born and grew up Camden Town.
  • Actor Freddie Highmore was born in Camden Town in 1992.
  • Dancer and actress Donna King teaches at her studio in Camden Town.
  • Actress and dancer Louisa Lytton was born & raised in Camden Town.
  • Journalist and novelist Sean Thomas lives in Camden.[54]
  • Songwriter and singer Dua Lipa grew up in Camden, until she moved to Kosovo.
  • Ashley Keane, former professional footballer for Torquay United F.C., was born in Camden in 1981.
  • Drag queen Lady Camden was born in Camden before moving to California in 2020.
  • Love Island Series 10 Runner up and business owner, Whitney Adebayo was born and raised in Camden Town.
  • Comedian Roisin Conaty was born and grew up in a Camden council house.[55]

Media

[edit]
The former TV-am building, right

National

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Main article: Breakfast Television Centre

To the north of Camden Town station and running along the canal is a modern pop art complex designed by Terry Farrell as the studios of the former TV-am, now used by MTV[8] but retaining TV-am's eggcup sculptures along the roof line. Associated Press Television News has its head office in a former gin warehouse near Camden Lock called "The Interchange".[56]

Local

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The Camden New Journal is a free, independent weekly newspaper that covers the London Borough of Camden.

Camden tv, Web site with short films about Camden.[57]

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In literature

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In film and television

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In music

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In games

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Census Information Scheme (2012). "2011 Census Ward Population figures for London". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Route by foot from Charing Cross to Camden Town". United-kingdom.places-in-the-world.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b c Thorne, Matt (31 March 2024). "Back to black? Amy Winehouse, Camden Town and the survival of London's perennial music playground". The Observer.
  4. ^ Walford, Edward. "Camden Town and Kentish Town." Old and New London: Volume 5. London: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, 1878. 309–324. British History Online. Web. 18 September 2018. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol5/pp309-324.
  5. ^ Mills 2001, p. 37
  6. ^ a b c Mills 2001, p. 38
  7. ^ Town, Camden Town Unlimited and Euston (12 July 2019). "The History of Camden Market's 'The Stables'". Camden Town Unlimited & Euston Town. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b Hibbert, Christopher (2008). London Encyclopaedia. Macmillan London Ltd. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4050-4924-5.
  9. ^ Dunton, Larkin (1896). The World and Its People. Silver, Burdett. p. 29.
  10. ^ "Blaze ravages London market area". BBC. BBC. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Camden Market continues strongly". MintTwist. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  12. ^ Alina Polianskaya (28 January 2015). "Market closes down as Hawley Wharf development project begins". Camden New Journal. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  13. ^ "The London Borough of Camden (Electoral Changes) Order 2020". gov.uk. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  14. ^ Walford, Edward. "St Pancras." Old and New London: Volume 5. London: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, 1878. 324–340. British History Online. Web. 18 September 2018. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol5/pp324-340.
  15. ^ JOSIE HINTON (11 February 2010). "Camden's oldest market in Inverness Street 'could go under'". Camden New Journal. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.
  16. ^ "Open since 1974 – It all started with 16 stalls". Camdenlock.net. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Stations and interchanges: Camden Town". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  18. ^ a b laurambir (19 January 2023). "Camden Town station in London". The London Link.
  19. ^ "Camden Town capacity upgrade". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021.
  20. ^ Richard Osley (9 January 2018). "Camden Town tube station made 'exit only' during evening rush hour". Camden New Journal.
  21. ^ "Night buses in north London" (PDF). Transport to London. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  22. ^ "Red Routes: Central Area" (PDF). Transport for London. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  23. ^ "Executive summary" (PDF). Greater London Authority. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  24. ^ Weatherby, Bronwen (8 October 2020). "Calls to reverse low traffic scheme on 'gridlock' roads". Camden New Journal.
  25. ^ a b "OpenStreetMap". OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  26. ^ "Cycle". Transport for London. Updated as required.
  27. ^ "Canal cycling routes | Canal & River Trust". canalrivertrust.org.uk. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  28. ^ "Santander Cycles Docking stations". Transport for London. 1 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Camden Cycle Counters Map - Open Data Portal". London Borough of Camden. Continuously updated bicycle counters in Camden
  30. ^ Jean Dollimore (13 July 2018). "Summary of 4 years' cycle counts in Royal College Street (2014-2015 to 2017-2018)". Camden Cyclists. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Regent's Canal cycling route - 4.6 miles". Canal & River Trust. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  32. ^ a b "World's End / Mother Red Cap, Camden Town". Layers of London. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  33. ^ "The Roundhouse". Camden Railway Heritage trust. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  34. ^ BRIAN MORTON (21 October 2016). "The Roundhouse at 50: From gin joint to cultural tonic". BBC Arts. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  35. ^ Rose, Steve (29 May 2006). "What goes around ..." The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  36. ^ Catford, Nick (1 January 1987). "Camden Catacombs and Horse Tunnels". Subterranea Britannica.
  37. ^ "Camden Catacombs". Camden Guide. n.d. Archived from the original on 16 May 2006.
  38. ^ "Arlington Conference Centre brochure" (PDF). 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2016.
  39. ^ locallocalhistory.co.uk: The Aerated Bread Company, and The New Sainsbury Building
  40. ^ Perry, Kevin EG (29 November 2017). "Remembering The Hawley Arms, the Pub That Became Indie's 2000s Hub". VICE.
  41. ^ Laura Reynolds (20 January 2023). "Planning Approval Granted For London's New 'Garden In The Sky'". Londonist. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  42. ^ Kristine Klein (23 January 2023). "Rails to Trails: London approves planning for the first section of the Camden Highline". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  43. ^ Kellaway, Kate (15 May 2011). "The secret art of Beryl Bainbridge". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  44. ^ Richard Osley (20 November 2020). "'Lady In The Van House' is becoming 'derelict' and needs restoration work". Camden New Journal.
  45. ^ Jolly, Emma (February 2011). "Charles Dickens in Camden".
  46. ^ "Archives biographies: Oliver Heaviside 1850–1925". The Institution of Engineering and Technology. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  47. ^ Levin, Bernard (1985). Enthusiasms. Coronet. pp. 80–82. ISBN 0-340-36927-2. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  48. ^ "Tom Sayers – Blue Plaque". openplaques.org. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  49. ^ 'Mandoliers in Car Crash: Troise Injured', in The Manchester Guardian, 13 June 1938, p.11
  50. ^ Dorment, Richard (6 November 2007). "Walter Sickert Nudes: An underworld stripped bare". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021.
  51. ^ "1950s to Dylan's death". City and County of Swansea. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  52. ^ "Police could step in to disband Amy's paparazzi army". Ham & High. 22 August 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  53. ^ Wilson, Cherry (23 July 2011). "Amy Winehouse found dead aged 27 in London home". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  54. ^ Thomas, Sean (26 September 2023). "The deep absurdity of HS2's diversity agenda". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. This is because I live exactly where Camden Town meets Primrose Hill – and where Britain's first intercity railway tore through inner London (around 1837), surging out of London's first mainline station: Euston.
  55. ^ Hogan, Michael (25 April 2020). "Roisin Conaty: 'Standup is a confidence game. You sell the sizzle, not the sausage'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  56. ^ "APTN Head Office Map" (PDF). Associated Press Television News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 January 2010.
  57. ^ "Welcome". Camden.tv. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  58. ^ Pope-Hennessy, Una (1945). "The Family Background". Charles Dickens 1812–1870. London: Chatto and Windus. p. 11.
  59. ^ "Camden's famous faces". Camden New Journal. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  60. ^ Rosenberg, Teya (2006). "Generic Manipulation and Mutation: E. Nesbit's Psammead Series as Early Magical Realism". In Jones, Raymond E. (ed.). E. Nesbit's Psammead Trilogy: A Children's Classic at 100. Scarecrow Press. p. 72. ISBN 9780810854017.
  61. ^ Wright, Jane (2006). "Betjeman's great defender". Camden New Journal.
  62. ^ Paula Span, TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER... TOURIST, The Washington Post, accessed 27 January 2016
  63. ^ "Withnail & I". Channel 4. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  64. ^ Scovell, Adam (23 November 2019). "On Location: The London pub from Withnail & I". Little White Lies.
  65. ^ Phillip French (20 April 2008). "Film of the week: Happy-Go-Lucky". The Observer. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  66. ^ Calhoun, Dave. "Mike Leigh's London locations". Time Out. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  67. ^ "How Daniel Kaluuya's Cockney-Speaking, Authority-Defying Spider-Punk Came to Life". GQ. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  68. ^ Blinders, Peaky. "The Secrets Behind the Set". Peaky Blinders. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  69. ^ "Camden Town by Suggs in Camden, North London, England". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  70. ^ "Camden Town, by Alexander James Adams". Alexander James Adams. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  71. ^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Easter Egg Calls Out Players Who Keep Shooting the Baby". DualShockers. 27 October 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  72. ^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has a special message for players who keep shooting the baby". Eurogamer.net. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camden Town.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for London/Camden.
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