Camden is undoubtedly one of the coolest areas of London to spend a day, whether you’re heading there for a party, live music, people watching, vintage shopping or amazing food. Situated in North London, Camden can easily be accessed from central London hotels via the Northern Line with three stations serving the centre of the borough; Camden Town, Chalk Farm and Mornington Crescent. Whilst we’ve all heard of the famous Camden Market, there’s more to Camden than just stalls (although we can’t deny wandering around and visiting the various sellers is a fine way to spend a Saturday morning!) there are many hidden gems here waiting to be explored.

Looking for non-touristy things to do in Camden? Start with these…

Head to the beach

We bet you weren’t expecting to find a beach on this list. Every summer The Roundhouse transforms into a beach with tonnes of sand dumped right into the middle of the city making it the perfect summer escape for city dwellers. Order an ice-cold beer, kick back and enjoy your time in Costa del Camden.

Visit the Jewish Museum

Housed in a former piano factory is the Jewish Museum , a must-visit when passing through Camden. Founded in 1932, the museum features permanent exhibitions such as the Holocaust Gallery and History: a British Story which looks at the history of British Jews dating back to 1066. Discover the history, culture and heritage of Jews in Britain.

Enjoy the best vegan Chinese

Camden is a hub for delicious vegan food and with so many options available it can be hard to narrow it down. Dou Dou is an unassuming central Chinese buffet-style restaurant located adjacent to Camden Town station. All of the food on offer is vegan and even if you’re not a vegan yourself, you’ll definitely want a slice of the action. Bottomless noodles, rice, spring rolls and curry? Yes please!

Walk along Regent’s Canal

A stroll down Regent’s Canal on a crisp sunny morning is a wonderful way to kill an hour or two. Escape the chaos of central Camden and London itself as you meander down the river and enjoy views of the pretty canal boats and the water gently flowing. If walking sounds a little too strenuous for you, then you could jump aboard an organised boat trip which will take you all the way to Paddington.

Immerse yourself in art

Camden is overflowing with amazing art, theatrical performances and interesting exhibitions. The Cob Gallery and Camden Arts Centre are well worth checking out with their various events and art displays. They also hold regular creative workshops which might be worth getting involved in, if you’re looking for something unique to do. If pop culture is more your thing then head down to the Proud Gallery and view some of their fashion and music prints.

Have a pint in the Hawley Arms

One of Camden’s finest pubs (there’s quite a few!) is the Hawley Arms, and it’s definitely worthy of a pitstop when in town. Once Amy Winehouse’s regular haunt with pals including Russell Brand, you can check out their rock star hall of fame and spot a few famous faces. The pub also boasts a small garden, upstairs bar and roof terrace.

Listen to some great live music

Camden is renowned for its electric music scene and is home to famous venues such as Koko where Madonna did her first ever UK gig. Electric Ballroom and The Roundhouse are also popular venues, so check out who’s playing and enjoy a night that’s complete with great atmosphere and even better music from both well-known and up and coming artists.