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Camden Calling

London, United Kingdom 2h 30m 5.0 · 18 reviews EN 171350P18
Instant confirmation Free cancellation (24h) Mobile ticket Adults 0–120
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Tour route
2 stops
Loading map…
Route drawn automatically from the supplier's itinerary; lines are straight-line estimates, the actual road may differ.

Overview

How did a rundown Irish part of North London become one of the world's premier music destinations? Starting with Irish Dancehalls and traditional Irish music pub sessions from the 1930s, in1963 there was a Jim Reeves riot!, by 1966 the hippies took over the Roundhouse and NW1's rise to Rock n Roll notoriety began. Psychedelia, Heavy Metal, Pub Rock, Punk, New Romantics, Goth, Indie and Britpop, they were all shaped here, by the 1990s it was one of the hippest places on the planet. We visit venues, recording studios, record shops, pubs, markets and rehearsal rooms and tell Camden's remarkable story
About the organiser:
Aidan McManus is an award-winning tour guide, historian, broadcaster, and curator of music-related film events. West London-born of Irish heritage, he was a teenage participant in the punk scene and later its soul, 2-Tone and rave cultures.He is the host of Flipside London Radio, a fortnightly Portobello Radio programme focusing on books, music, history and youth culture.

Tour at a glance

Duration
2h 30m
01
Tour type
Group tour
up to 15 travellers per booking
02
Languages
EN
live guide
03
Pickup
Meet at start point
04
Operates
Thu, Sat
Starts 11:00
05
Confirmation
Instant
e-ticket by e-mail
06
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
07
Traveller ages
Adults 0–120
08
Rating
5.0 / 5
18 verified reviews
09
Ticket
Mobile ticket
show it on your phone
10

What's included

  • Entrance fees

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Camden Market

    How did a rundown Irish part of North London become one of the world's premier music destinations? Starting with Irish Dancehalls and traditional Irish music pub sessions from the 1930s, in1963 there was a Jim Reeves riot!, by 1966 the hippies took over the Roundhouse and NW1's rise to Rock n Roll notoriety began. Psychedelia, Heavy Metal, Pub Rock, Punk, New Romantics, Goth, Indie and Britpop, they were all shaped here, by the 1990s it was one of the hippest places on the planet. We visit venues, recording studios, record shops, pubs, markets and rehearsal rooms and tell Camden's remarkable story

    30 min Admission free
  2. 2
    Camden Town

    How did a rundown Irish part of North London become one of the world's premier music destinations? Starting with Irish Dancehalls and traditional Irish music pub sessions from the 1930s, in1963 there was a Jim Reeves riot!, by 1966 the hippies took over the Roundhouse and NW1's rise to Rock n Roll notoriety began. Psychedelia, Heavy Metal, Pub Rock, Punk, New Romantics, Goth, Indie and Britpop, they were all shaped here, by the 1990s it was one of the hippest places on the planet. We visit venues, recording studios, record shops, pubs, markets and rehearsal rooms and tell Camden's remarkable story

    2h Admission free

Meeting & pickup

Everyone meets at the start point.

Outside The Station

Schedule

Thu, Sat 11:00 Available until 19 Dec 2026

Good to know

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveller reviews

5.018 reviews
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18
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alisayh Aug 2026 · Tripadvisor
Excellent tour of Camden music sites

Aidan was a fantastic guide! So knowledgeable and entertaining, and I loved listening to his stories about going to gigs when he was young (especially almost touching Joe Strummer's hand). I will definitely book with him again for another tour next time I'm in London.

Lehighvalleytraveler Jun 2026 · Tripadvisor
Camden Calling

This was our second private tour with Aidan. He does a great job describing the music history of the area including many personal anecdotes. He tailored the tour to bands I was interested in and included landmarks in Camden Market. My husband enjoyed learning the architectural and engineering history of the area including the Canal and manual locks. Highly recommend!

40christophers May 2026 · Tripadvisor
Camden Musical History Myths and Legends.

A very illuminating tour of the Camden area and it's music history. Aiden has lived and breathed the musical past of Camden and has a great knowledge of who played where and when including all the bands he saw at the various venues.. He also debunked some of the myths that have grown up around the area. A most enjoyable tour which I highly recommend.

920rylandc May 2026 · Tripadvisor
Great experience in Camden!

Aidan was a fantastic guide who gave us some behind-the-scenes knowledge on Camden with a mix of textbook and personal history.

530joachimk Apr 2026 · Tripadvisor
Immersive experience Camden

Our fourth time on a tour with Aidan. And again an unmatched experience. Great fun, interesting stories, 100% authentic, vivid, the important steps in Camdens history appear before your eyes and you get some hint about nonsense you get told on other tours. perfect tour for everyone in love with music and Camden or those who want to fall

ARB108 Mar 2026 · Tripadvisor
Gents from Largs on a weekend sesh

Really good tour around Camden Aiden knows his stuff and is great craic. A must do tour if you are ever down that way

onepersoninaroom Mar 2026 · Tripadvisor
Another essential, engaging and entertaining stroll with the maestro of walking tours.

I've done every one of the Flipside Tours, after first happening upon them back in 2016; the Soho Punk Rock and Strummerwalk twice (yes they are *that great*, and just as enjoyable second time around). So when this one appeared, I jumped at it. Eddie M's review here paints the perfect and a very comprehensive picture (I recommend finding it), just as for two hours 30(+), the affable, walking Wikipedia, FlipsideLondon Tour guide Aidan McManus paints an expansive and very comprehensive picture of Camden's vivid and varied musical history. A wealth of things you won't know, joy upon finding yourself standing next to places that are footnotes on your favourite albums, priceless anecdotes (Aidan *was there*) and, as with every Flipside Tour, the feeling at the end that (a) you've just had the best experience you're going to have that day, and (b) you quite fancy doing that one again. Every FlipsideLondon Tour I've deemed *essential* to music fans (be they fans of specific bands or just music history in general), and even for those with only a 'passing interest' in music history, fun and fascinating tours that can't be beaten. Camden Calling is no exception. The best walking tours in London (and, based on admittedly limited experience, probably also on the planet). I'll be doing this one again too.

Cruiser534006 Mar 2026 · Tripadvisor
Awesome trip down memory lane!

I love Aidan's tours. His knowledge, humour, friendliness & wicked accent make the tours so engaging. Can't wait to go on the next one!

Reviews are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor from verified travellers.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this experience last?

It lasts 2h 30m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Everyone meets at the start point.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Which languages is the guide available in?

Guide languages: EN

On which days does it run?

It runs Thu, Sat. Starts 11:00

How fast is the booking confirmed?

Instantly. Your e-ticket arrives by e-mail right after booking.

Is this a private tour?

No, this is a shared group experience.

Where do I complete the booking?

On viator.com, a Tripadvisor company, with live availability and secure payment. TourViaGo is a Global Partner of Viator.

Product code 171350P18

Book on viator.com · Global Partner of Viator $36per person
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