Bustling with weird and wonderful people and a vast choice of arts, crafts and clothing and furniture outlets, Camden Town is a popular tourist attraction. There are six markets dotted around the busy high street, the majority of which open seven days a week. Although neighbours Primrose Hill, Highgate and Hampstead offer a far more refined atmosphere, nowhere in north London can equal Camden's energy and attitude.

Anna- 126 Regents Park Road, NW1. 020 7483 0411.
www.shopatanna.co.uk
This relaxed informal and popular boutique does a fine job supplying the celebrity residents of Primrose Hill with boho chic clothing from Orla Kiely, James Jeans, Day Birger et Mikkelsen and many more. The shop also sells children's items, including polka-dot wellies, so kids can look hip too. The owner, Anna Park, has another boutique on Kings Road SW6.

Episode- 26 Chalk Farm Road, NW1. 020 7485 9927.
If you're the type of person who wears 70s Starsky and Hutch t-shirts, drainpipe jeans and retro Adidas trainers, then Camden Town is your place. Among the finest purveyors of vintage clothing is Episode. Unlike some retro-fashion dealers, Episode's items are prides competitively and in immaculate condition " ensuring you'll stand out whether you're gracing an indie album cover or a half-pipe.

Miss Lala's Boudoir- 148 Gloucester Avenue, NW1. 020 7483 1888.
Nothing whatsoever to do with Teletubbies, the wonderful Miss Lala's Boudoir describes itself as a “dressing-up shop for grown-up girls” and is crammed full of slinky underwear, clothing and vintage jewellery. The present best-seller is Buttress & Snatch's playful burlesque-style underwear. Ooh, lala!

Oddballs - Unit 200a/b Camden Lock Market, NW1. 202 7284 4488.
www.oddballs.co.uk
If you like clowning around. This is the place to come. This quirk shop specialised in all things juggling and has balls, rings and clubs to suit every budget. The staff claim that it's possible to teach a beginner to juggle in less than 30 minutes. If you don't have the time, Oddballs also stocks kite, yo-yos, power kits and mountain boards.

Punky Fish- 1 Chalk Farm Road, NW1. 020 7284 4252.
www.punkyfish.com
Punky Fish epitomises the Camden look with its colourful funky, urban streetwear. Established six years ago, it has rapidly grown in popularity and now has four outlets in the Camden area. Particular favourites at the moment are the colourful logoed and printed t-shirts.

Rachel Skinner- 13 Princess Road, NW1. 020 7209 0066.
www.rachelskinner.co.uk
Off to Ladies Day at Ascot or just fancy getting a-head of your peers in the sartorial stakes? One of London's favourite milliners, Rachel Skinner makes her bespoke and ready-to-wear hats and head-dresses for weddings and other special occasions. Beautiful and attention-grabbing, commissions start at around ?150 while off the peg creations begin at ?75.

Reckless- 92 Camden High Street, NW1. 020 7387 1199.
www.reckless.co.uk
Being a teenager and popping down to your local record store to snap up the latest hits is one of life's most enjoyable rites of passage. And you can relive it al Reckless. One of London's best suppliers of rare and not-so-rare secondhand CDs, DVDs and vinyl records, the Camden branch deals with all kinds of music and stocks a small number of new releases.

Primrose Hill

If you want solace from busy Camden Town, a short walk north leads you to Primrose Hill, the beautiful home of beautiful people " actors Ewan McGregor and Jude Law are among the many celebrities who have lived here. There is the hill itself with great views over London and the charming “village”. There are good food and wine shops " Bibenbum Wine is particularly popular " clothing boutiques and lifestyle stores. Also much visited for its cafes, bars and pubs, Primrose Hill is busy on a Sunday, when locals and visitors alike pile into grastropubs The Lansdowne and The Engineer for lunch.

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