Festive Family Days Out in Camden Market

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the day over the holidays, Camden Market has everything from fantastical sweet shops to out-of-this-world hot chocolate, historical walking tours and more. Whatever you try, its sure to be a hit with little ones and big kids alike.

Sprinkling a heavy dose of Christmas magic around Camden, Hans & Gretel is a dreamworld of handmade gelato, sprinkles, candy floss, and piles of pick and mix. There are fairies, illuminated trees and snowflakes aplenty, making this a sensory celebration of all things festive. Don’t miss their festive flavours of gelato, including the classic mince pie and moreish Ferrero.

Hans & Gretel is in Camden Market North Yard, open 12-6pm weekdays and 12-7pm weekends.

Did you know that by the end of the 19th century, there were around 250,000 horses working in London, and thousands of stables across the city? Camden Market is widely considered the finest surviving example of some of the horse walkways, stables and horse hospitals that would have been commonplace during this time, and throughout the market you’ll notice nods to the history of the area. This history trail guides you around the market with the help of an app, and there are colourful horse statues to see too.

The Charlie the Horse History Trail is a self-guided walking tour. Look out for the horseshoe markers on the cobbles to find your way.

If one sugar rush isn’t enough, Chin Chin Labs is not to be missed. The first liquid-nitrogen ice cream parlour in Europe, this is the best mixture of a science lesson and sweet treats serving up hand-churned ices made on-site with liquid nitrogen. There are whacky flavours, over-the-top toppings, hot desserts and – it goes without saying – the signature thick hot chocolate topped with torched marshmallow fluff.

Chin Chin Labs is in Camden Lock Place, open 12-7pm, seven days a week.

Get your golf on with Plonk’s fantastical crazy golf course, tucked away in Camden Market’s stable arches. With nine holes to play and signature bonkers decorations, it’s the perfect stop to swing by before you head home. Under 18s are welcome to join the game before 5pm on weekdays, so all players are welcome, whatever their age.

Plonk Crazy Golf is in The Stables Market, open 12-10.30pm Tuesday-Saturday, 12-7pm Sunday and Monday.

From the horse history trail to playing your own part in the past, Camden Old Time Photos is a life sized dressing up box that the whole family can dive into. Choose from Tudor or Victorian eras, Wild Western or old-school gangster, and you’ll be decked out with extravagant costumes, jewellery, props and a backdrop that make you look like the real deal. Your photos can be printed in-person or sent to you digitally, and the memories will last a lifetime.

Camden Old Time Photos is in the Camden Stables Market, open 10.30-7pm, seven days a week.