36 Fascinating Vintage Photos Capture Streets of Camden in the 1980s

Camden Town, often shortened to Camden, is a district of northwest London, England. Historically in Middlesex, it is the administrative center of the London Borough of Camden and is identified in the London Plan as one of 34 major centers in Greater London.

Camden Town stands on land that was once the manor of Kentish Town. Laid out as a residential district from 1791, Camden Town became an important location during the early development of the railways, which reinforced its position on the London canal network. 

Up to at least the mid-20th century, Camden Town was considered an “unfashionable” locality. The Camden Markets, which started in 1973 and have grown since then, attract many visitors. The area's industrial economic base has been replaced by service industries such as retail, tourism and entertainment. The area now hosts street markets and music venues that are strongly associated with alternative culture.

These photographs of Camden were taken by Peter Marshall in the 1980s. For more vintage pictures, take a look at his Flickr site.

G Davis Is Innocent O.K., Mornington Crescent area, Camden, 1980.

Gilbey House, Regent's Canal, Camden, 1981.

Castlehaven Rd, Kentish Town, Camden, 1986.

Tea Rooms, Museum St, Holborn, Camden, 1986.

George’s Barber Shop, Hampstead Rd, Camden, 1986.

Hampstead Rd, Camden, 1986.

Thomsons, Harmood St, Camden, 1986.

Kings Cross Rd, Leeke St, Pentonville, Camden, 1986.

329 Euston Rd, Camden, 1986.

St Pancras Way, Camden, 1986.

Argyle Walk, King's Cross, Camden, 1986.

Chamberlaine, Cycles, Kentish Town Rd, Kentish Town, Camden, 1986.

Euston Rd, Post Office Tower, Camden, 1986.

Trills Camden, High St, Camden, 1986.

Leighton Rd, Kentish Town, Camden, 1987.

Hockey, St Leonard’s Square, Kentish Town, Camden, 1987.

Urinal, Star Yard, Holborn, Camden, 1987.

F W Collins, Ironmongers, Earlham St, Covent Garden, Camden, 1987.

Rhyl St, Kentish Town, Camden, 1987.

Town and Country Club, Kentish Town Rd, Camden, 1987.

Houses and flats, Mansfield Rd, Gospel Oak, Camden, 1987.

Delancey St, Camden Town, Camden, 1987.

Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Camden, 1987.

New Oxford St, Holborn, Camden, 1987.

Palmers, Pet Stores, Parkway, Camden, 1987.

Phoenix Cafe, Chalton St, Somers Town, Camden, 1987.

Finials, Washing posts, St Mary’s House, Drummond Crescent, Somers Town, Camden, 1987.

Neasden Electronics, Tandoori Cottage, Finchley Rd, Camden, 1988.

Belsize Rd, South Hampstead, Camden, 1988.

Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, Finchley Rd, Camden, 1988.

College Crescent, South Hampstead, Camden, 1988.

Langtry Walk, South Hampstead, Camden, 1988.

Free Nelson Mandela – Birthday March and Rally – London, 1988.

Camden, 1980s.

Regent’s Canal, Kentish Town Rd, Camden.