London Borough of Camden

About the London Borough of Camden

The London Borough of Camden is a London borough in Inner London. Camden Town Hall is located on Euston Road, 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometres) north of Charing Cross. On 1 April 1965, the borough was formed by merging Hampstead, Holborn, and St Pancras, which were formerly part of London's historic County of London.

The cultural and commercial land uses in the south contrast with the bustling mixed-use districts such as Camden Town and Kentish Town in the centre and leafy residential areas around Hampstead Heath in the north. There are many popular attractions in London, including the British Museum, the British Library, Parliament Hill, the London Zoo, the BT Tower, The Roundhouse and Camden Market. In 2019, the population was estimated at 270,000.

Its local authority is Camden London Borough Council.

History

Hampstead, Holborn, and St Pancras, which formed part of the County of London, were merged together into the borough in 1965. Originally, the Herbert Commission recommended that the new borough consist of Hampstead and St Pancras, but Holborn was later added.

While travelling through Camden Town in a taxi, Alderman Room, the Leader of Hampstead Council, and Mr Wilson, the Town Clerk, came up with the name "Camden", according to Enid Wistrich, who was a member of Hampstead Council at the time. The name “Fleet” had also been suggested for the underground river that flowed through the three boroughs, but it was rejected because the river was barely more than a sewer. 

Among the suggestions were "Penhamborn," "Bornhamcras," and "Hohampion". The name "Camden" met the criteria for choosing a short, simple name that was generally associated with the centre of the new borough, according to government guidelines for naming new boroughs.

The name "Camden Town" was derived from Camden Place, the seat of Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden who owned and developed property in the area in the 1790s. William Copeland Astbury's transcribed diaries, published recently, provide a detailed description of Camden and the surrounding areas from 1829–1848.

A total of 162 English Heritage blue plaques commemorate the many diverse personalities who have resided in the borough of Camden.

Geography & Local Economy

In 1965, the borough was formed by the merger of St Pancras, Hampstead and Holborn, the first two of which originated from medieval ancient parishes of the same name, whereas Holborn was formed by the union of smaller parishes.

In the north-west, Hampstead is the former parish and borough that includes Belsize Park and part of Kilburn. Most of the modern borough is made up of parts of the old parish and borough of St Pancras, including Camden Town, Kentish Town, Gospel Oak, Somers Town, King's Cross, Chalk Farm, Dartmouth Park, Fitzrovia and Highgate.

In the south, Holborn was a combination of the parishes of Bloomsbury and St Giles, along with most of Holborn parish (with the remainder of Holborn parish in Farringdon Without ward, City of London).

Because of their central location, the West End and other southern parts of the borough have a stronger economy and land use. There are a number of major companies headquartered in Camden, including Google, which is currently constructing a large headquarters in King's Cross. Among Camden's newer businesses that have thrived are the Camden Town Brewery.

In the far south of the borough, Lincoln's Inn Fields is within 500 metres of the Thames. Hampstead, Hampstead Heath, and Kentish Town are less densely developed parts of the borough. The London Borough of Camden has several parks and open spaces. 

There are four nearby boroughs: Westminster and London to the south, Brent to the west of Roman Watling Street (now the A5), Barnet and Haringey to the north, and Islington to the east. Postcodes included in this service include N1, N6, N7, N19, NW1, NW2, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW8, EC1, WC1, WC2, and W1.

Camden is included in the 'Central London' group of boroughs in the London Plan.

Want to read about another London borough? Check out the London Borough of Croydon.