Whatever the weather has in store for us this Bank Holiday we’re confident Camden can keep you entertained.   Here are just a few ideas from the Love Camden team. But what are your tips?  Share your thoughts in the comments section below.  And of course don’t forget to take advantage of the Love Camden special offers as you’re out and about.   
 

Enjoy the last ice cream of summer

New kid on the block The Chin-Chin Laboratorists  is London’s first liquid nitrogen ice cream parlour.  Step inside the lab-style shop  with its white coated staff, chose your flavour and marvel as they cook with chemistry. Up the road in Chalk Farm is Marine Ices where the Mansi family have been making a range of authentic Italian  ice creams and fresh fruit sorbets for four generations.

 
Take a walking tour of Dickens’ Camden

Kicking off from Dickens’ first home in London, take a walk through his haunts with one of the popular characters he created. Discover the writer’s connection with The Foundry and The Great Ormond Street Hospital and learn about the inspiration he took from special places in Camden. The walk is part of our Hindsites season and is produced in association with the Charles Dickens Museum  

Last chance to see

Camden Arts Centre has two exhibitions due to finish 5 September. Since the late eighties American artist Jim Hodges has been producing fragile and intimate works. This exhibition brings together a significant collection of drawings, paintings and small sculptural pieces, intricately crafted from a wide variety of materials, both commonplace and precious.  "My Funeral Song", a five screen video installation,  is Breda Beban’s most recent work.  Each screen focuses on one of Beban’s close friends as they listen to the song they would like to have played at their funeral. The simplicity of each portrait heightens attention to subtle gestures and shifts in expression that chart an inner journey, through psychological states of remembering the past and envisioning a future in their absence. 

 
Celebrate carnival time

The first ever UK carnival took place in St Pancras town hall (now the Camden Centre) in 1959 and was organised by Claudia Jones, known as the Mother of Carnival.  Keep the carnival spirit alive at Cotton's Restaurant and Rum Shack.  Home to 270 different rums and an extensive menu of Caribbean food,  Cottons also offers live music and DJs at weekends.  Their Friday Night Jam sees DJ Mr Marvellous playing  the best in 80s, 90s R&B and Hip Hop with a touch of Reggae.  On Saturdays,  DJ Mcguyver spins the very best in 70s/80s Soul & Rare Groove, Revival , Club Classics with a touch of the Upfront .  Ease into the working week on Sunday night with soul singers Dave B & Italian Soul diva Manuella singing classic soul, reggae, R&B and jazz songs. 

Fringe benefits

The fifth Camden Fringe finishes on Sunday (29 August).  The festival takes place in 8 venues across the borough, all playing host to an eclectic mix of performances. Shows range from the classic to the modern with past masters like Euripides, Shakespeare and Marlowe sit comfortably alongside a whole host of new writing and devised pieces.    Check out what's on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  There's something for everyone, and tickets are just £7.50.