We aimed to cover all these 3 places in our last day in London. We started early and take the tube to Camden Market.
Camden Market
This now iconic famous market started life as a cluster of craft workshops by the Regent’s Canal and has evolved to become one of London’s most important nerve center of artisan creativity and trading. The Market is packed to the gunnels with stalls trading in handmade clothes and jewellery, music memorabilia, objects from ages past and authentic food from far flung locations.
A haven of counter culture, the area is popular with tourists, teenagers and punks. The thriving nightlife scene includes live music in alternative clubs and old-school pubs, and major stars playing at the Jazz Cafe and the Roundhouse. Cafes bustle during the day.
Camden Lock doesn’t actually exist – the waterways flanking the market are three dual locks built in the early 1800s as part of the Regent’s Canal.
Primrose Hill
From Camden market we took the bus to Primrose Hill. We had lunch in one of the restaurant before taking a stroll in the park.
Primrose Hill has a character all of its own, at the summit of this grassy hill are some spectacular views across London. It is separated from Regent’s Park by Prince Albert Road and the ZSL London Zoo.
Like Regent’s Park, this area was once part of a great chase, appropriated by Henry VIII. Primrose Hill, with its clear rounded skyline, was purchased from Eton College in 1841 to extend the parkland available to the poor people of north London for open-air recreation.
At one time this was a place where duels were fought and prize-fights took place. The hill has always had a somewhat lively reputation, with Mother Shipton making threatening prophesies about what would happen if the city sprawl was allowed to encroach on its boundaries.
At the top of the hill is one of the six protected viewpoints in London. The summit is almost 63 metres above sea level and the trees are kept low so as not to obscure the view. In winter, Hampstead can be seen to the northeast.
Unfortunately it was cloudy when we walked up to the hill. The park make a nice place for picnic in spring and summer.
Abbey Road
Abbey Road crossing become popular when it got featured by the Beatles’ Abbey Road LP cover, featuring George, Paul, Ringo and John walking over a zebra crossing on Abbey Road.
That image has since become a pop culture icon, with numerous bands imitating it, and caricatures occurring frequently of it. Its popularity is also due to the album’s success. The album debuted straight to number one in 1969, and is considered one of the greatest albums ever made by the Beatles.
How to get there
Take the tube and catch the Jubilee Line and get off at St. John’s Wood tube station. Make your way up the escalator and head straight on all the way down the street opposite the tube entrance. Turn right and you’ll see the crossing. Don’t worry, loads of people will be there! So, just follow the crowds.
The abbey road crossing will be busy especially on the weekends. There were so many tourists queuing to cross a zebra crossing. If you had no idea who The Beatles were or their album, you’d probably think everyone was crazy lol. There were crowds who just sat and watched the people come and go. They would laugh at all the crazy poses and angry drivers with road rage! If you are visiting on a weekend, it will be busier. So make sure you plan enough time into your day if you do want a good picture.
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