Borough of Camden

This inner London borough situated close to central London has as its western boundary an ancient Roman Road leading northwest out of the centre.  In 1086  the area was used for farming and livestock, namely pigs.  In 1665, the Great Plague started in the area of St. Giles. The borough has grown into a major transportation and cultural centre from what was once an ancient path leading in and out of the centre of London.

Euston Station (built in 1837) is a mainline station and the starting point for trains going north.  King’s Cross was known as Battle Bridge until 1830. During the French Revolution, refugees from France came to this area.  Today it is known for its mainline railway station (built in 1852) also servicing towns and cities north of London.  St. Pancras was named after a young boy martyred in Rome for his beliefs in 303AD.  One of the borough’s oldest building, St Pancras Old Church, stood on the site where today’s railway lines lead into St Pancras Station (built in 1868).  Today St. Pancras Station is a major transport hub, with  trains heading north all the way to Scotland and also east to the Continent through the Channel Tunnel.  Water transport within the borough increased with the opening of the Regent’s Canal in 1820.  Today this area around the canal is known for the Camden Market and is a major draw for London residents and tourists.  Camden is also home to the British Museum, the University of London and the British Library.  As with other London areas, names tell stories. Hampstead Heath, formerly owned by the Bishop of London in medieval times, has one of the highest elevations in London and contains 800 acres of open space.  Nearby Highgate Cemetery is resting place for famous people including Karl Marx.

Prayer Requests for this Borough