Second time visiting Camden, this time covering what we didn’t the previous year. Coming on a working day makes a whole world of difference in that the maddening weekend crowd isn’t there. You can do your browsing on your own pace minus the jostling and get attended to by the shop personnel. The varieties of things you can find in Camden is enormous.

Coming by bus No.27 from stop ET Edgware, we dropped off at stop CQ on Chalk Farm Road, This stop is basically located near to the entrance of Stables Market. Just a few meters ahead to your right, you’ll come to Hartland Road where on this road, you’ll find houses painted in different colors and a couple of street art.

You would not believe the Stables Market was once a stable and a horse hospital housing a sizable herd of horses used to transport goods along the Camden canal. In Victorian times, the stables is where injured horses pulling barges down the canals would come for treatment.

The Stables Market and a couple other markets in Camden expanded in the 70s, when artists and artisans began to open stalls. Over 450 shops and stalls are housed here selling vintage wares, accessories, jewellery, alternative clothing, furniture and imported ethnic goods.

Meanwhile, along Camden High Street, the main road across Camden, you’ll find varieties of shops selling well, varieties of products from antiques to top of the line branded goods. You will note the shops here display their wares on the facade of the their stores in gigantic sizes.

For lunch we headed to Poppies Fish & Chips on Hawley Cres. Poppie’s is renowned for their authentic fish and chips. This is our first time tasting Poppie’s Fish & Chips and we can say it’s one of the best we’ve eaten. Beforehand, the waitress confirms the batter does not contain alcohol. We were at Poppie’s well before 12 o’clock, thus getting a table wasn’t a problem otherwise, it’s usually pack during lunch. Our order of 2 regular haddock cost £29.98

Right after lunch we took bus no. 274 heading towards Park Road stop ‘P’. Here, we’ll be going to the London Central Mosque to perform our afternoon prayer. The London Central Mosque built in 1974 and opened in 1978 is located close Regent’s Park thus aka Regent’s Park Mosque. It’s the biggest mosque in London that we’ve been to. The building is situated on it’s own site complete with dome and minaret. Ablution place is on the lower floor whilst the big carpeted prayer hall is above. The mosque itself can accommodate as many as 5,000 worshipers in it prayer halls and courtyard.

After prayers, we took a stroll along Regent’s Park walking from Hanover Gate behind the mosque to Clarence Gate to exit for Baker Street. Autumn leaves already evident and flocks of birds, ducks, geese and the like patronising the lake. The cool autumn weather makes the walk pleasant. Onto another bus ride from Baker Street and we’re back to our hotel.