Starting around 1791 Earl Camden and others began to develop land on both sides of the southern part of what is now Camden High Street, but which was then an old coaching route to Hampstead and the north. Before this time there were only a couple of inns (including the Mother Red Cap where the World's End pub now stands), and a few other isolated buildings in this area of open countryside outside London. Certainly the area around Camden Lock was agricultural land right up until the time the Regent's Canal was built to link the Grand Junction Canal at Paddington with the River Thames at Limehouse.This enabled goods to be moved by barge more easily from the industrial Midlands to the London docks. (The canal was first suggested by Thomas Homer in 1802; the necessary Act of Parliament was passed in 1812, and the canal was opened in 1820.)
When the canal was being built an experimental 'hydro-pneumatic lock' was proposed in order to save water which was not readily available to top up the canal. The new invention failed to work and so conventional double locks were installed, and are still functioning today.

The barges carrying goods on the canal were originally pulled by horses along the towpath. A bridge, used by these horses to cross the canal still survives, and is one route visitors may take into the market.

Warehouses and other businesses were constructed along the canal banks in the following few years, and were operated successfully until the end of the first canal era around the beginning of the 1950s when road transport killed off most of the waterway traffic, and the canals fell into decline.

In 1971 some of these unwanted industrial buildings and land, including T.E.Dingwall's timber yard, were leased from British Waterways Board by three young men with new ideas, and in 1972 they sub-let some of the old buildings on short leases as craft workshops, and soon afterwards a weekend market was started on cobbled open yards nearby. The market's accent was on traditional crafts, but soon broadened to include a wide variety of goods including antiques, and clothing with a scattering of food stalls. The old railway bridge over Chalk Farm Road next to the site was painted with a 'trompe d'oeuil' image which has since become the icon for Camden Lock.

This market soon began to attract large numbers of Londoners and tourists because of the character and quality of the goods on sale, and because of the uniqueness of the location. Boat trips and walks along the canal, or just watching the barges pass through the lock gates from the Dingwall's beer garden, became, and are still important parts of the attraction of Camden Lock.

Sunday trading was permitted on this private site when it was not allowed in many places elsewhere and this also contributed to its success. By 1985, so popular had the area become that three other markets had opened on or near Chalk Farm Road, and most of the businesses between Camden Town and Chalk Farm Underground stations had changed hands and become shops and restaurants catering mainly for visitors rather than locals. The building of new studios, with its famous giant eggs and cups on the roof, for Britain's first Breakfast TV station (TV-am), and now the London home of MTV, set a pattern for the arrival of an increasing number of international media companies which have changed the business face of Camden Town over the past 10 years.

In 1990 many of the old buildings at the Lock were renovated and a new Market Hall with three floors of small shops and other businesses, was built over one of the previous open market areas of stalls next to the main road. The East, Middle and West Yards and the newly named Camden Lock Place remained open air areas for stalls, lined with interesting small shops and workshops. The design for this fine building was based on a classic Victorian trading hall with wrought iron railings and tiled floors, so well done that few visitors realise it is relatively new. One building used for stabling canal work horses has been carefully preserved and is now known as Dingwall's Gallery, next to the Market Hall. Most of the shop units created in the rebuilding were taken on by previous stall holders to preserve continuity. There are no chain stores here.

Over the past few years the main change has been the development of seven-day trading at Camden Lock Market and other markets in Camden are following suit with many stalls to be found any day of the week, 52 weeks a year. In addition most Camden shops are now staying open seven days a week.

In 1997 the approach to the market from Camden Town Underground was much improved for pedestrians by widening of the pavements, and the introduction of seating and other landscaping features. This has been done in a most skilful and attractive way which has made the area a pleasanter place for traders and visitors alike.

As for the future, what can we expect? Sensible and more environmentally sustainable transport policies should lead to more freight slowly finding its way back to the canals from the choked road system. Perhaps there will soon be even more to see at Camden Lock in the second canal era. In any case Camden Lock Market, already over 25 years old, is likely to continue to be an exciting place to visit for many years to come.

CJT

References used include Camden Town 1791 1991 A pictorial record. London Borough of Camden Leisure Services Department 1991.