With its long-held popularity as one of many coolest locations in London, because of its markets and musical hyperlinks, a go to to Camden with youngsters and youths simply tops numerous metropolis break wishlists.
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Whereas there are many issues to do in Camden for youths of all ages, it’s one a part of London that’s significantly good higher with teenagers and tweens relatively than toddlers.
However from some enjoyable household actions to the waterfront, cool new exhibitions, occasions, meals and locations to buy, right here’s my choose of the most effective issues to do in Camden with youngsters.
Discover Camden Markets
No journey to Camden with youngsters and youths is full with out exploring the realm’s well-known markets – as a result of there’s not only a single Camden market.
As an alternative Camden is made up of a collection of markets that devour a majority of the neighbourhood. Probably the most distinguished markets are Camden Lock Market, Stables Market, Buck Avenue Market, Inverness Avenue Market, and the most recent addition, Hawley Wharf.
Teenagers and older kids will love exploring the eclectic assortment of merchants and shops. Youthful youngsters can benefit from the uncommon sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling markets too, however do maintain little ones shut by because the markets can get extraordinarily busy.
Don’t miss the brilliant neon lights and large robotic sculptures at CyberDog (simply don’t go all the way down to the basement stage) and the abundance of anime, superhero, and popular culture merchandise on provide on the Stables Market, additionally dwelling to the well-known bronze statue of Amy Winehouse.
Reside music at Roundhouse
Camden can be well-known for its world-class reside music scene – and there’s nowhere that can impress younger music followers fairly just like the Roundhouse.
Roundhouse is positioned in a Grade II listed former railway engine shed, which was transformed right into a live performance corridor within the Sixties. The architecturally distinctive venue is likely one of the most unbelievable reside efficiency areas on this planet.
The venue performs host to many big worldwide names, up-and-coming artists, and different reside occasions and reveals all year long so attending a gig at Roundhouse is likely one of the finest issues to do in Camden with teenagers or tweens.
Some occasions do have ‘age steering’ or particular guidelines about the place individuals below 16 might be seated, so it’s price checking prematurely. Roundhouses’ Younger Creatives scheme additionally gives initiatives and workshops for younger creatives and artists 11+.
Take a Camden avenue artwork tour
Camden is one in all London’s greatest avenue artwork hubs too, so it’s an amazing place to wander. The world has a whole lot of fantastic murals by among the world’s finest avenue artists – together with the one-and-only Banksy.
The one downside with the road artwork in Camden is that it may be pretty troublesome to seek out your self, with a lot of it positioned down small backstreets away from the principle vacationer areas.
For this reason a Camden Avenue Artwork Tour is a good thought. Most are appropriate for all ages, plus a avenue artwork tour will take you to find lots of the space’s finest murals whereas instructing you the tales behind them.
This Camden strolling tour additionally contains among the space’s finest avenue artwork, or you’ll be able to tailor this Camden tour by a neighborhood to cowl avenue artwork as effectively. Or do that self-guided audio tour to discover at your individual tempo.
Play at Babylon Park
One of many coolest locations in London for youths, there’s one thing at Babylon Park for all ages, whether or not you need gentle play for little ones or indoor rollercoasters for older adrenaline seekers, in addition to some conventional funfair rides and play areas.
To play, you might want to purchase a sport card and add sport cash to spend, both through the app or utilizing the machines there whenever you arrive, with every enjoyable attraction costing a distinct variety of sport cash. A experience on the rollercoaster works out at round £5, and round £4 for the bumper automobiles, with arcade video games costing from round £1.
When you purchase greater packages, it’s also possible to get higher charges if you realize your youngsters will need to attempt the whole lot – in any other case entrance is free, so when you’re not driving/enjoying, it gained’t value you a penny.
Whereas it’s not the most affordable day trip in London with youngsters, it’s nonetheless much less pricy than a theme park and it’s an amazing choice when you’re in search of issues to do in Camden within the rain.
For extra concepts of issues to do in London within the rain with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
Titanic: Echoes from the Previous
If the sinking of the Titanic fascinates you, there’s an opportunity to expertise it virtually first-hand with the following VR immersive exhibition, Titanic: Echoes from the Previous in Camden.
The expertise mixes storytelling sharing the human tales behind the tragedy, reconstructions and historic truth to take you on a journey by way of the historical past of the well-known ship.
Along with your VR headset on, you’ll dive 3,800m to the Atlantic ocean ground to witness the wreck, get well the misplaced movie reels shot on the voyage by the Titanic’s official filmmaker, permitting you to expertise key moments and areas aboard ship – the closest you’ll be able to probably get to wandering the boat deck or stepping onto the ship’s Grand Staircase.
Appropriate for youths aged 8+, the 45-minute expertise runs from February, at the moment open Wednesday to Sunday.
Go to London Zoo
Proper on the sting of the Borough of Camden, in Regent’s Park, London Zoo is just a 20-minute stroll from Camden City, so it’s an amazing one to mix with a day trip in Camden with youngsters.
The world’s oldest scientific zoo, London Zoo remains to be one of many metropolis’s greatest points of interest – for youths and adults – greater than 170 years after it opened.
As soon as dwelling to the bear that impressed Winnie the Pooh, today, you’ll be able to see the whole lot from lions and tigers to having the ability to stroll with lemurs, enterprise into rainforest circumstances, see animals from the African savannah and Australian Outback, and much extra.
There are three colour-coded routes across the zoo, pink, blue and orange – all completely different lengths, they begin and finish in roughly the identical place so you are able to do them in any order you need, and when you’re wanting time, it permits you to focus in your favourites.
There are keeper talks which happen all through the day, in addition to particular animal experiences – you could possibly even assist feed the gorillas. When you’re fortunate, you’ll be able to spot the keepers feeding the animals as you discover.
Hold an eye fixed out for normal particular household occasions, particularly throughout college holidays, too. Tickets have to be prebooked.
Regents Park can be dwelling to its personal points of interest together with play areas, the open air theatre and a boating lake – it’s price saving a while to discover the royal park, particularly on a sunny day, or for a free animal attraction, Kentish City Metropolis Farm is just a brief journey from Camden
Take a waterbus to Little Venice
The Thames isn’t town’s solely waterway, and Camden is a good place to get out on a ship with a number of completely different canal waterbus choices cruising alongside Regent’s Canal.
The Jenny Wren canal boat tour lasts 90 minutes, cruising from Camden Lock to Little Venice and again once more, with a information declaring among the highlights alongside the way in which.
Or Jason’s Journey Canal Waterbus has been working since 1951. The classic narrowboat takes you on a 45-minute journey from Camden Lock to Primrose Hill, previous Regent’s Park, London Zoo (look out for among the animals!) then on to fairly Little Venice, with its cafe-lined canals, the place you’ll be able to hop off to seek out Paddington or stroll the streets.
When you’d favor to sail in silence, go for Jason’s Journey and putter to Little Venice with out the guided chat (solely customary on Jason’s Journey cruises beginning on the Little Venice finish).
Kids are welcome and you’ll take buggies or strollers on board Jason’s Journey, so long as you’ll be able to fold them, whereas under-fours go free on Jenny Wren.
Paddle Down Regents Canal with the Pirate Fortress
Positioned not removed from Camden Lock, The Pirate Fortress – sure it really seems like a medieval citadel – is a boating charity and neighborhood for native deprived youngsters and incapacity teams.
The charity gives boat cruises and a number of other enjoyable paddlesports, together with stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking, alongside the picturesque Regents Canal.
You’ll be able to e-book a non-public group session for youths/households. The charity additionally gives college vacation schemes for youngsters aged 8+.
And whereas non-public classes right here could also be somewhat costlier than elsewhere in London, all earnings help local people initiatives. So you’ll be able to relaxation assured your cash goes in the direction of an excellent trigger.
Take a Musical Boat Cruise
One other enjoyable approach to expertise the Regents Canal with youngsters on a sunny day in London is aboard The Music Boat.
On this distinctive boating expertise, you’ll sail alongside the scenic canal on a conventional punt, whereas a neighborhood musician serenades you with their guitar and well-known hits from Camden’s musical historical past.
The Music Boat units off near Camden Lock’s West Yard Meals Market and takes you on a 90-minute journey as much as London Zoo and again. You’ll be able to take your individual meals and drinks onto the boat, so I’d recommend choosing up lunch from the meals market and having fun with it throughout your journey.
There’s additionally a reserve now, pay later choice in addition to free cancellation.
Benefit from the views from Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is likely one of the finest locations to seek out superb free views of London with youngsters, virtually 63 metres above sea stage.
One of many six protected viewpoints in London, the place the bushes are saved low in order to not obscure the view, the hilltop park sits to the north of Regent’s Park (so you’ll be able to simply discover the 2 parks collectively) and is near the upmarket London neighbourhood of Primrose Hill, recognized for its grand Victorian townhouses.
From the summit, you’ll be able to absorb some unbelievable 360-degree views over town; to the south is a transparent view of the long-lasting landmarks of central London, whereas to the north you’ll be able to see over the neighbourhoods of Hampstead and Belsize Park.
It’s a brief stroll from London Zoo, or round 20 minutes from Camden City tube station.
Go to The Jewish Museum
EDIT: At present closed – new location tbc. One among Camden’s high instructional experiences for households is The Jewish Museum, the place youngsters can be taught all about British Jewish historical past, tradition, heritage, and identification.
The 4 everlasting galleries function some fascinating shows, together with its world-leading assortment of uncommon Jewish ceremonial artwork and objects reflecting the on a regular basis dwelling lifetime of Jews in London. Plus don’t miss the shifting private journey of Holocaust survivor Leon Greenman.
The museum additionally runs a schedule of partaking family-friendly occasions, together with talks, excursions, workshops, baking classes, and themed pageant days.
Plonk Loopy Golf
For some aggressive enjoyable with the household in Camden, head to Plonk Loopy Golf, an indoor loopy golf course which was fully rebuilt in late 2020
Hidden within the Victorian arches of the Stables Market, the venue is decked out in a unusual mixture of camouflage and UV lights, and the nine-hole loopy golf course is crammed with basic beams, ramps, and jumps, in addition to some extra uncommon obstacles.
The course at Plonk Loopy Golf is solely indoors, so it’s additionally among the best issues to do in Camden City with youngsters on a wet day.
Youngsters have to be 7+ to play and below 18s are welcome earlier than 5pm on weekdays. Evenings and weekends are adults solely.
DNA: London’s First Digital Actuality Arcade
Younger players will love DNA VR, London’s very first digital actuality arcade, the place you’ll be able to escape actuality to grow to be something from an area pirate to a grasp murderer, a deep-sea explorer and extra.
At an arcade session at DNA VR, every particular person enters their very own gaming pod and is supplied with a VR headset and handsets. You’ll then be immersed in the identical Digital World, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a wide range of multiplayer video games and experiences.
From surviving a zombie apocalypse or defending the world from killer robots to swimming by way of the deepest oceans and having an epic dance-off, there’s a sport for everybody.
DNA additionally has VR escape rooms the place you’ll be able to head on an immersive journey to unravel puzzles and full missions collectively.
Because of the measurement of the headsets, DNA VR is really useful for youths 7+, whereas the VR escape room is healthier fitted to these 10+.
Get Lunch at Hawley Wharf
When you’re in search of someplace to refuel after all of the enjoyable in Camden with youngsters, there are many locations throughout Camden’s markets to get pleasure from a few of London’s tastiest avenue meals. One among our favourites is the newly opened Hawley Wharf.
Hawley Wharf’s river-side meals courtroom is break up into two big areas and has an entire number of unbelievable avenue meals to select from. Some merchants is likely to be somewhat too extravagant for youthful palates, however there are many family-friendly choices too.
Take a look at HotBox for unbeatable BBQ smoked meats, BaoziInn for vibrant dim sum and dumplings, and Buk Burger for mouthwatering burgers. The pizza slices from True Romance are at all times an enormous hit with youthful youngsters too.
And when you’re nonetheless hungry, spherical off your meal with a decadent dessert from DZRT – assume indulgent waffles, crepes, and cookie dough – or connoisseur finger doughnuts from Longboys.
Indulge at Chin Chin Labs
It doesn’t matter when you go to Chin Chin Labs in the course of summer time or the depths of winter: it is likely to be higher recognized for its liquid nitrogen ice cream, however when temperatures drop, you’ll discover fabulous scorching chocolate too.
The primary of its type in Europe to make use of liquid nitrogen to create connoisseur ice cream, flavours change all year long and also you’ll discover some quirky mixtures in addition to the classics, plus a string of toppings and choices for ice cream sandwiches and sundaes.
Or seize a scorching chocolate that’s virtually as a lot of a deal with for the eyes as to your abdomen, with oozily scrumptious charred (veggie) marshmallow fluff on high for essentially the most Instagrammable model (when you can wait to {photograph} it earlier than diving in).
Consists of vegan choices too – there’s additionally a Soho department now, in addition to pop-ups round London, however whenever you’re planning issues to do in Camden City, you shouldn’t miss the unique place the place it began.
For extra concepts of the most effective desserts in London with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
Deal with your candy tooth at Hans & Gretel
Based mostly on the Brothers Grimm’s well-known story of Hansel & Gretel, Camden Market’s Hans & Gretel is a magical fairy-tale impressed dessert cafe, solely lined from ground to ceiling in sweet canes, lollipops, cupcakes and vibrant sweets galore.
There are additionally big statues of Hansel and Gretel to greet you on the store’s entrance and a makeshift sweet home that children can sit inside for pictures.
Not solely is the shop itself a enjoyable and quirky place to go to in London with youthful kids (however nonetheless successful when you’re in Camden with teenagers), however its many indulgent desserts are positive to be an enormous hit with youngsters of all ages. You’ll be able to select from candy Hungarian funnel truffles, bubble waffles, freakshakes, ice-cream, choose’n’combine and extra.
Be careful for pop-up occasions
There are sometimes momentary exhibitions and occasions at Camden, so it’s price checking the most recent openings when you’re in search of enjoyable issues to do within the space.
The Again in Time exhibition, with Europe’s largest assortment of memorabilia from the Again to the Future motion pictures was one latest choice, whereas summer time 2023 noticed the Colours Pageant with work from over 35 avenue artists on show, together with interactive installations, plus work, pictures and illustrations making up the expertise.
Whereas each are actually closed, you’ll find particulars of among the newest occasions in addition to different related pop-up occasions in London with youngsters right here.
For extra uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters, in addition to all the most effective issues to do in London with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
*First printed 2022, final up to date 2024*
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photos: Penguin copyright MummyTravels, avenue artwork through Picfair, all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos
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