LONDON LIFE

NEWS ATTRACTIONS HIGHLIGHTS

DID YOU KNOW? At the junction

of Edgware Road and Marble Arch,

a plaque marks the site of the

Tyburn Tree execution spot, where

some 50,000 people were hanged.

Celebrity haunt: Camden

HIDDEN GEM...

National Army Museum

The Natural History and Science Museums steal a lot of the limelight for their free, family-friendly exhibitions, but the National Army Museum in Chelsea packs a big punch, too.

Opposite the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners
— former members of the British
Army — the museum explores the Army’s impact on shaping the history of Britain, Europe and the rest of the world from the time of the Norman Conquest. It’s open daily from 10am-5.30pm and has fi ve exhibitions, each jam packed with displays of weapons, vehicles and uniforms.

Events include sword fi ghting and musket fi ring at the Roundheads and Cavaliers Soldiers, Smoke and Swords event on 5 and 6 September.

While many of the rich and famous prefer to spend time and money in the posh boutiques of Marylebone or sip champagne in the exclusive bars of Soho, there are plenty who would rather hang out around the grungier, cooler streets of Camden Town.

Rock bands and musicians seem
to hold an affi nity with the cobbled alleyways of Camden quay, with its quirky markets and underground music scene, with the likes of Pete Doherty and Carl Barat of Libertines fame regularly spotted drinking in the bars surrounding the canal.

Camden has long been famous for its music culture: in 1979, Jerry Dammers of The Specials set up the
2 Tone record label and a new cultural movement was born. Other small beginnings include Chris Martin and his band Coldplay playing their London debut at the Dublin Castle, a local gigging pub that was once the spiritual home of baggy-trousered Madness.

In 2008, celebrity locals had to fi nd a new hangout when their favourite boozer, the Hawley Arms, was gutted in a blaze that destroyed a large part of Camden Canal Market. The pub was a favourite with Amy Winehouse, Kate Moss and Liam Gallagher, but it didn’t take them long to fi nd a permanent
fi xture in The Lock Tavern.

The bustle of Camden Town goes beyond the music scene too, with many celebrities — including English playwright, author and comedian Ben Elton — making the area their home. www.camden.gov.uk

Camden Lock

ABOVE THE ROOFTOPS

When the sun’s beaming down, it seems
a shame to sit in a hot and stuffy bar or restaurant, so hunt down one of the city’s many rooftop terraces and chill out in
the fresh air above the bustling streets. The newly opened Boundary Rooftop in

the heart of Shoreditch, complete with large bar and seating area, 48-seater grill restaurant and well-manicured garden,
is one such urban retreat that’s great for a quiet lunch or sundowner.
www.theboundary.co.uk

14 W2L SUMMER 2009

WORDS: ALEX DALZELL. IMAGES: BRITAINONVIEW; NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM