Camden Calling
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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.
What To Expect
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
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
What‘s Included
Entrance fee
Options
Camden Calling
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Gents from Largs on a weekend sesh
ARB108,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really good tour around Camden Aiden knows his stuff and is great craic. A must do tour if you are ever down that way
Another essential, engaging and entertaining stroll with the maestro of walking tours.
onepersoninaroom,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'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.
Awesome trip down memory lane!
Cruiser534006,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I love Aidan's tours. His knowledge, humour, friendliness & wicked accent make the tours so engaging. Can't wait to go on the next one!
Camden's nooks and crannies
P9606OErichardd,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our second tour with Aidan, both of which have been fantastic. Perfect length with the option to end at a decent pub to round off the walk nicely. Perfectly pitched to satisfy both the hardcore music fan and punter with casual interest (which is no mean feat). Heartily recommend. We are looking forward to doing the next one!
Camdens music history in a few hours fantastic
502debbieb64,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Aidan was friendly, knowledgeable, and a fantastic guide. He took my sister and me right back to the Camden of our youth with his stories and insights—funny, witty, and a wonderful way to spend a few hours down memory lane. Even if the area is new to you, you’ll learn so much. I’m really looking forward to exploring the links he shared for films, books, and more stories about the area.
Does this train stop at Mornington Crescent?
eddiemE2749JC,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were the only two hardy bucks who showed up for a Saturday morning tour in freezing cold temps that felt even worse with a wind-chill factor that was somewhere close to Arctic. Fair play to Aidan McManus, who went above and beyond by squiring us through Camden for two and three quarter hours. If you're into music and social history, this is a bang-up experience. I mean, who knew that back in the day Jim Reeves sparked a riot in what's now the Electric Ballroom because he refused to play? All the way from Chalk Farm Station down through Camden Market (it's changed a lot since our last visit in '88) to Mornington Crescent - I'm sorry I hadn't a clue where this was until we passed it on the bus - you'll hear about Madness, the Specials, the Selecter, the Clash, Subway Sect, the Pistols, Adam and the Ants, Haircut 100 (yes, really), Siouxie and the Banshees, the glorious Pogues, George Michael, the aforementioned Jim Reeves, Stepaside and the Radiators from Space (Aidan added these in for us Paddies, I think) and all those Britpop lads from the nineties. There's all sorts of great stuff about the Ladbroke Grove connections to the Roundhouse, the Irish dance hall scene and Irish trad music. It's an absolute blast from beginning to end. The three of us were absolutely frozen when we got to Mornington Crescent Station, but there was one absolute banger of a surprise when Aidan pointed out the blue plaque on the wall outside Koko (formerly the Camden Theatre) celebrating the recording of The Last Goon Show of All there in 1972. I was made up. This is a fabulous tour given by a diamond of a bloke. Hats off, Aidan, bloody brilliant.
Fun Camden Music Walk with Character!
StEtienneEssex,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you have any interest in the London music scene from yesteryear then is a must do walk. Aidan is seriously knowledgeable and as he lived and breathed it as a local he brings real life personal experiences into mix. I’ve done most of Aidan’s walks now and I thoroughly recommend them.
A behind the scenes look at the Camden music scene
492deidrem,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was so much fun. Aiden is a local who was a frequenter of these gigs so had many fabulous ‘behind the scenes’ stories. And he was a great story teller with a terrific sense of humour. Would highly recommend.
The rock'n'roll town where Jim Reeves sparked a riot
635annn22,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I am delighted that London’s greatest guide has turned his attention to Camden Town, and as someone who loves the place enough to have written a book about it (Those Tourists Are Money: The Rock’n’Roll Guide To Camden), I can’t recommend this tour highly enough. With good nature, dry wit and deep insight, Aidan will lead you through the streets of Camden, stopping off at the venue where Jim Morrison debuted those leather trousers, saluting Joe Strummer and Amy Winehouse in the famous Market, conjuring up Lemmy at Dingwalls and pointing out the Greek restaurant that features in one of Shane MacGowan’s finest songs. And after a couple of hours or so, he might take you to the best pub in Camden where you can buy him a thank-you pint of Guinness. Cheers, Aidan!
Shane MacGowan’s loves a cheese sandwich
226craigb,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00‘Those Tourists are money’ the book by Ann Scanlon, really takes some beating if you love the history, music and culture of old Camden Town, however Aidan manages to match that and weaves in his own narrative arc through experiences he has personally lived through and boy there is some great stories about Mr Strummer & Suggs to name but a few. The taxis were renowned for not going South of the River, back in the day however Camden fell into that category too, as it was deemed a bit sketchy to say the least, as you find out about Camden’s shady past. Aidan takes you from Chalk Farm to Mornington Crescent and the stories flow quicker than your step count increases. There’s genuinely something for everyone on this historical walk, as so many bands, events, and characters have graced this town, way before Amy and Britpop had a shandy in the Good Mixer. Sid may of ‘sodded off’, but you can tap dance your way along the Camden musical walk of fame and get yourself an education along the way. This tour does contain swearing, and laugh out loud moments, so strap in and enjoy the show. Camden is Calling so get yourself booked in, a joyous step back in time.
Related Experiences
Operated by FlipsideLondon Tours