'Hear ye': Camden, London

Drawn to the Georgian past with fanfare

While exploring London we find ourselves taken to the past. We hear a loud voice booming across a river. “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!” ( French for “Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye!). Unmistakably he is a town crier for he follows the call by ringing his bell. Where is he? We look around and high and low. How could we have missed this rotund figure in the livery of  buckled shoes, breeches, a waistcoat, greatcoat and a cockaded tricorn hat. No question that a town crier has to be a visible presence as well as an auditory presence, for historically he announces public news or royal proclamations to the then largely illiterate public. This town crier has been hired by Camden Market to  ring about the wonderful things you can do and see at the Market.

Brawn and strategy at Camden Lock.

We find ourselves along the banks of Camden River right opposite where the town crier carried out his job while we watch the Camden Lock being operated. A boat carrying holiday makers ( probably from Little Venice to Camden Lock through Regent's Canal) is about to enter the lock. This traditional, paired set of manual locks is operated by boat crews using hand-wound paddles and massive balance beams to raise or lower vessels. Built in the early 19th century, these locks enable navigating the different water levels, often requiring teamwork to open the heavy gates and manage water levels efficiently. 

Buzz and punk

We’re already in Camden Market—lost in its maze of cobbled paths, where every turn bursts with edgy fashion and raw energy. Waterside cafés hum beside stalls of decadent treats, while multinational cuisine fills the air with irresistible aromas. Handmade jewelry glints next to vintage treasures, and everywhere you look, bold styles demand attention.

This isn’t just a place—it’s an experience. Loud, colourful, unapologetically creative. Punk culture pulses through it all, alive in every corner.

What was once an industrial pocket of horse stables and shipping containers has transformed into a daily surge of life—a thriving food hub and a fearless fashion statement, buzzing with attitude.

Trivia

Camden has been home to many famous people including John Keats, Charles Dickens, George Bernard Shaw and JB Priestley.