10 Hidden Corners in Camden

Camden Town is one of London's most popular tourist spots, famous for its sprawling markets and laid back atmosphere.

There are however plenty of hidden corners and tales around Camden which many people- both Londoners and tourists alike- overlook.

In this video then, I'd like to share 10 such places with you, all of which have intriguing stories to tell...

Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:10 Camden's Giant Egg Cups
04:25 The Lady in the Van
07:57 Palmers Pets
10:09 Samuel Furnace
13:29 Muppets & Gilbey
15:58 Egypt Comes to Camden
18:54 Cruickshank & Sickert
21:04 Camden's WWII Deep Level Shelter
22:32 The Burma Railway Memorial
23:57 Arlington House
26:07 Outro

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Links for this video:

5 Things You Didn't Know About Tottenham Court Road

Camden's Castle Pubs

Poppies Fish & Chips

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Credits

Images:

Title Card image by J.Ligero & I.Barrios:

Thames Start Up: RAX118G YouTube Channel

Breakfast Television Centre, 2008: Image, Oxyman (Creative Commons)

Alan Bennett, 1973: Allan Warren (Creative Commons)

Cartoon image of Churchill: AI Generated (MidJourney)

Thames Television Footage:

23 Gloucester Crescent driveway: Jack1956 Creative Commons

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Sound Effects:

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Music:

Jane Street (TrackTribe)

The Thought of You (TrackTribe)

Moving On (Wayne Jones)

Soul and Mind (E’s Jammy Jams)

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[hoosiersands]

Hi Rob

Those strange paving stones were laid as waymarkers for a Heritage Trail for Euston back in 2006 (there was another one for Kilburn). I came across one of these at Euston Road next to the St Pancras New Church some fifteen years ago. Took me ages to find out what they were about. Had to use the Wayback Machine.

They were done by a company called Groundwork which still exists and does projects with local authorities.

[nilo]

Rob,
Thank you so very much for your stories. I lost my wife of 50 years in 2020. I became “severely depressed “ clinically and my life has not been what I wanted it to be.
Your episodes are a truly wonderful glimpses into a place I’ll never see, and the people I’ll never know. I find all of them fascinating. Keep up the good work Rob !

[FluffyMcFluffavicMeowskiOFluff]

Amazing vid! I'm a Camden boy and over the years have seen everything in your video... now I know what they're about!! Nice work!!
CAMDEN RULES!

[patricksullivan]

That the BBC hasn't given you a show to do this is an indication of they are missing the boat. This would be hugely popular over there.

[theharpsichordofmozart]

There's no better channel about London and it's history than Robslondon on Youtube. I always learn something new too. I love London. There is no other city in the World like it. It's my home where I'm proudly from. I was born on Charing Cross Road known as Theatreland. No matter where I find myself in the World I would miss the sight and sound of Big Ben. Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge etc. Wandering around Soho or along Oxford Street. I love Regents Park which is my favourite place to walk on Sundays. Thank you for everything you do Rob.

[smgreenartsprivate]

Award winning stuff Rob a Bafta award from us :) good thing I had tissues nearby. I have seen Lady with the Van brilliant film and love Alan Bennett as well. Thank you for a memorable Sunday viewing. Love all your content I hope one day you will consider writing a book on your content would be interesting reading.

[samg]

I work in Camden and walk past these places on a regular basis. It’s amazing to hear the history of it. Thank you for this video

[stevemchadd]

Great video Rob.
I lived in Camden Town in the early eighties. Every Sunday my "go to" spot was Dingwalls to listen to great music, lunchtime and afternoon's they had an open mic and if you were lucky you could find some of the best known musicians showing up un-announced, often trying out unreleased songs on the audience.
I have great memories of my Camden days.

[Rachel-boqg]

This is like embarking on a magical journey through the soul of the city. The video beautifully unveils the secrets tucked away in the heart of Camden, inviting viewers to discover the enchanting stories and vibrant spirit that make this place truly unique. Another masterpiece Rob !

[lambethian]

Hi Rob great videos as usual I got some information I needed about the Burma railway during world war 2 my mothers only brother was made to work on that railway after being captured by the Japanese he never survived the war he was only 21 he was in the Royal artillery his name was Joseph rayner kind regards to you for your accurate information and many thanks John (ex Londoner 1959)

[alibenkahn]

Another fantastic video! I'm so glad Arlington House still shelters some of the homeless and hasn't been turned into another trendy address only for the wealthy. Thanks Rob, I'm always glad to stop by 😊

[steveasc]

Hi Rob. I retired from the London Fire Brigade in 2019. For many of my thirty years service, I was based at Kentish Town. We knew the WWII bunker as Security Archives and visited on several occasions. I can confirm that racks of bunk bed frames were still there! Arlington House was one of our regular "shouts". When looked at from above, it is in the shape of a capital letter E. The long edge being on Arlington Road. Great video of an area I know very well!

[terrym]

Spent many a good time in Camden my dear old mum was born there and lived in Camden until she passed away, so i got to know it very well happy days, watching this video brings back many happy memories

[KellieVV]

That was so good! I didn't want it to end!😊
Thank you for braving that weather to bring us this video. I love the little tours of such interesting things and places. My hope is that I can see it all in person one day.❤
Thank you so much!

[darrenbertram]

Thanks Rob, another fascinating, fact filled video with lots of interesting sights to see. I've been meaning to do a tour of Camden forever! (Last time I was at the market was about 1989, although I have been to the likes of the Jazz Café and the Green Note.) This is inspiring me to finally make a visit this Spring 😁😎

[Teatime-rvvn]

Thanks for this. I lived in Lissenden Gardens NW5 for 15 years so know Camden Town well. This made me a bit homesick but it was good to see familiar sights, along with learning some new stories about the area.

[darriendastar]

This was excellent. I could easily have watched another hour of it.

[Britoverseas]

Yet another wonderful and extensively researched documentary Rob. Your presentations keep going from strength to strength. Thanks. Lance

[edsilvester]

My first TV job was in TV AM. I went on to work in MTV too. Great memories.

[MazSwanboroughSmith]

Lovely to see all these amazing places with their history. Thanks Rob 😊❤