10 things you did not know about Camden Stables Market

Camden Stables Market is one of London’s strongest symbols of alternative culture. Most visitors know it for the vintage jackets, handmade designs and underground aesthetic, but the site itself carries a history that explains why it still feels authentic rather than curated. As an alternative-fashion brand with roots in travel, tribal-style expression and post-industrial settings, Psylo finds an ideal home in this environment. Here are ten lesser-known facts that reveal what makes the Stables Market unique and why Psylo fits so naturally here.

1. It started as a Victorian horse-hospital serving London’s industries

The Stables were built to support the heavy traffic of the Regent’s Canal and railway lines. Horses pulled barges, hauled goods and kept London’s industrial heart running. The market’s current layout, narrow passages, brick vaults, and uneven stone come directly from this utilitarian past. Psylo’s Camden store occupies Unit 49 Saddle Row, exactly in this warehouse-turned-creative hub. Before Psylo in this unit, Cyberdog store was born.

2. It once housed more than 400 working horses

At its peak, the complex accommodated over 400 horses. That scale shaped the architecture: large stalls, service tunnels, and wide loading areas. Today, many shops (including Psylo) sit exactly where these animals lived and worked, adding genuine authenticity to the shopping experience.

3. It’s only one section of a much larger market ecosystem

Camden Market isn’t a single space — it’s a system of different markets that visitors encounter as they walk down Camden High Street. Arriving from the tube station, people first reach Camden Lock Market, then Camden Boxpark, and the newer market area along the canal. Only after passing through these do they arrive at the Stables Market, the section known for alternative style, independent designers, sub-culture gear and vintage specialists. Within London’s broader landscape of markets from Brick Lane to Spitalfields, Greenwich and Portobello, Camden stands out for its strong alternative identity. That’s exactly why Psylo chose the Stables: it’s the part of Camden where independent creativity and underground fashion naturally converge.

4. Much of the original structure is still preserved

Even though the fixtures were replaced years ago, the historical brickwork is still there clean, preserved and unmistakably authentic. Our Camden shop reflects that contrast: ethnic-inspired interiors set against real Victorian brick, with a mix of steampunk-style racks and Indonesian wooden décor that matches the creative chaos of the Stables.

5. Independent creators define the Stables, and we’re part of that

Chains are limited here. The market prioritises independent designers and alternative makers. Alongside Psylo, you’ll find leather artisans, vintage specialists, upcycling designers, goth and punk boutiques, tribal jewellery stalls and creators from around the world. This mix is what makes the Stables Market such a vibrant creative hub.

6. Amy Winehouse’s statue marks Camden’s cultural memory

Ami is still remembered with love by all of us trading in the Market, and her portraits are displayed in her favourite Camden venues, such as The Good Mixer, where Camden traders unwind after work.

7. It has been a base for multiple subcultures for decades

Punk, goth, cybergoth, industrial, rave, tribal, alternative travellers the Stables Market has hosted overlapping scenes since the late ’70s. Our own aesthetic emerged from similar influences: global travel, counterculture, and a mix of tribal and post-industrial design.

8. Fashion mixes with food, art and micro-experiences

The Stables is more than a row of shops. Street-food traders, small studios, artists, craft makers and experimental concepts sit side by side, creating an atmosphere that feels alive and constantly shifting. It’s this broader ecosystem, not any single store, that defines the energy of the market and makes Camden such an inspiring place for alternative fashion.

9. Weekdays reveal the real market

If you want to explore the market, discover independent designers or spend time come and say hi at Psylo boutique, weekdays offer the ideal pace. We’re open every day 10:00–19:00.

10. Despite several refurbishments, it has maintained its underground identity

Camden today is very different from the “too underground” market many locals once avoided. The entire area has been renewed: the historical brickwork is clean and visible, the old chaotic corners have disappeared, and most street art now lives on the high street rather than inside the market. Places like The Psychedelic Temple belong to another era. Yet Camden remains a central hub for design and alternative fashion just more open and accessible than before. The punks still sing on the bridge, The Dev Pub is still going strong, and you’ll find Psylo in Saddle Row, under the colourful umbrellas, with bright glass windows where heavy wooden doors once stood.

Why does it continue to matter?

For anyone into alternative fashion, the Stables Market is more than a shopping stop. It’s a living archive of subculture, creativity and independent expression. Being here isn’t just about having a store it’s about being part of a community.

Want to see it for yourself?

If you’re wandering through the Stables and feel at home among raw brick, metalwork and independent makers, drop by our Camden shop at Unit 49. It’s the spot where our designs meet the energy of the market, nothing staged, nothing polished, just the real Psylo experience in the place that fits it best.
You can get a closer look at the space here: Psylo Camden Boutique