This is a fantastic market. It is a bit more counterculture than some markets (read: hippie-type clothing and some pipes and things). They also have non-counterculture items too, like some neat things for the home and some great bargains on really cute clothes (coats, tops, shirts, etc.). This market is all outside, so go on a nice day and be prepared to walk around a lot. There are also some (but not a ton) of food stands here as well.

As soon as you step off the tube into Camden, you have entered an alternative world. A man dressed as a punk rocker wears a signboard advertising the famous shoe--Doc Maartens--and goths, punks, and freaks of all sorts are evident around you, making their way towards the markets. Camden has a number of pubs, clubs, and stores that cater to the wilder walks of life. American goths flock here to buy club clothing that they could never find at home, and what's more, no one else will ever show up in the same outfit.

The following markets are all located in Camden and are open most days of the week. Camden Canal is only open on weekends.

• Camden Locks
• Camden Stables
• Camden Canal
• Camden Buck St.
• Inverness Street
• Main Street

The first market you will come across is like a flea market, selling T-shirts, CDs, funky clothing, and boots. Shop carefully, and shop around, as most stores offer the same merchandise as those around them. Here I found some inexpensive T-shirts (for London).

Walking up the main street, you come to the Camden Stables, where Cyberdog is located. This store is a tourist attraction in its own right, its interior decor reminiscent of a space-ship. The clothing is very pricey but very unique and cool clubwear. For those of us with a depreciating currency, the sale rack is fantastic. This is their main store. Note: no photography is allowed.

For goths, the most famous store is the Black Rose, which sells very traditional goth finery. It is located in the Stables. I found their merchandise dated, but some people still wear this style. For other styles in goth fashion, check out Darkside on the main street. Prices are high, but London offers the best goth shopping in the world. There is also an Illig store tucked into one of the markets, provided that Illig is still in business.

Along High Street, many stores offer the ubiquitous Doc Maarten in every possible color, along with the other big shoe brands, Swears and New Rocks.

For more goth shopping tips, this site is awesome. I used it to plan my trip to London.

I found Camden Lock Market to be more hip and stylish than the other street markets in London. The shops around the outskirts sell goth and techno clothes, high-priced fashion shoes, and even juggling equipment. You won't find the antiques of Portobello Road in this market, but it was my personal favorite simply for the variety and personality available. The entire area is a conglomeration of vendors selling their wares in a variety of formats.

Two buildings house stalls of artisans, booksellers, and more, but that is just the beginning. Long walkways stretch between the areas and are lined with vintage clothing, music shops, world goods, and trendy boutiques. Each tent, pavilion, or stall has a specialty, from military apparel to wooden furniture to pop-culture iconography. One shop deep within the market blasts pumping techno music and offers the wildest fashions for clubbing - think spikes, huge foam, fluorescent colors, and skimpy syles, worth a trip simply to broaden your horizons.

The main food area offers pavilion-style seating and any type of food you could desire. There is also a corridor of mainly Asian cuisines whose sellers will accost all passerbys. However, if you arrive at the right time, around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, they are trying to get rid of their day's food and will offer you drastic reductions. In the colder times of year, mulled wine, a British classic, is always a good choice. Or grab a fresh crepe (plain nutella are the cheapest, but classic and absolutely delicious) served folded into a cup to tear off bites with your fingers as you browse. Exploring this market takes some time, but if you have an afternoon to wander the stalls, it is a beautiful location and a place to find more than the tourist trap shopping.

Camden Town is the perfect place to go if you want to get a bunch of souvenirs. You can get the England zip-up track jackets that everyone has or wants. Don't be alarmed by prices; you can usually talk someone down in price.

Don't bother to buy shoes. Most of the stores lack good customer service and will not help you if don't look like you are going to buy something. Plus, they are overpriced for the quality, and you can't really barter with them.

Try to find the old horse stable. If you are into antiques, you can find old dishes and silverware and books. The vendors here are very friendly. One man struck up a conversation with me because he thought I was from California (I was wearing a University of Southern California sweatshirt). There are lots of food vendors, and getting a quick, cheap lunch is not difficult.

There is a Doc Marten store if you walk to the left of the tube station as you come out. This would be the best time to get them! While the exchange rate may make it more expensive, they can custom-fit them, and sometimes, just sometimes, the shoes are cheaper there than here in the States.

Take the Northern Line to Camden Town tube station.

Camden Market is also a great place to find a cheap lunch and you can find anything from fast food to Indian to Moraccan to Crepes to African...Everything. My friends were wild about the Chinese food they found there it was only TWO POUNDS!

This is a huge, sprawling market. There are many alleys and alcoves that seem to open up from nowhere. Be aware that the Camden stop is exit only during some hours, and it's a walk to the next stop, and the buses are packed. Be very adventurous and open-minded when you go. I loved it, but I am what they call young still. They have everything from Doc Martens to clothes to flags to 'organic mushrooms' to cell phones to handmade jewlery. It's worth a look if you are not alone and do not mind some local colour. There is one spot, right when you exit the station, about a block down on your right, where they have some great Chinese carry-out food. Near the lock on the lefthand side is a neat area that turns into four different markets. It is near the hemp store. I was able to buy an antique pub sign back there.