The Diggers Guide To... LONDON, Part 1: Central London (Page Three)

The Diggers' Guide To London, Part 1: Central London

Northern Line tube map for Central London digging route

STOP 2: Camden

Camden is central London's main 'alternative' area. Always busy, sweaty, and usually pretty dirty, it's a target for students, Goths, nu-metallers and tourists so it's also a prime area for crime. The police moving dealers and hookers out of King's Cross hasn't helped matters - they simply moved to Camden instead. Having said that, the student population means record shops in abundance so keep your cash out of sight and you should find something tasty.

When you reach the top of the escalators on the way out of Camden Town tube, leave the station through the right-hand barriers and turn right onto Camden High Street. Cross over the road then take the first left into Inverness Street, another traditional local market street with a good selection of clothes and food on offer.

Out On The Floor, 10 Inverness St, London NW1 7HJ. 020 7267 5989

About the fifth shop on the right-hand side of Inverness Street, this tasty and bigger-than-it-looks second hand vinyl shop always turns up something interesting. The main front area of the shop contains a good selection of black music on the right and 1960s style rock and psych on the left, with many interesting rarities on the walls at standard London prices. Head down the stairs and out the back for soundtracks, then into the basement for more vinyl goodies. Well worth a look.

Street map

Go back out onto Camden High Street and turn left, heading up the high street away from Camden Town tube. Across the road you'll see Camden Market, which is worth a dig at weekends as there are usually a couple of half-decent if very small black music record stalls. Look over to the right-hand side of the road.

Music & Video Exchange, 208 Camden High St, London NW1 8QR. 020 7267 1898

A reasonably small shop that sells a lot of rock. Some decent finds to be had but be wary of condition. Prices are generally high when first put out, but the pricing policy is good so they drop in price the longer they're there.

Street map

Staying on the left-hand side of the road, walk up the hill towards the railway bridge.

Rhythm Records, 281 Camden High St, London NW1 7BX. 020 7267 0123

Rhythm Records is one of those places that looks really small from the front. Without any sign of second-hand vinyl in the window you might pass it by. Don't make that mistake. Go down the spiral staircase into the large basement (recently extended) and you'll find all sorts of rare vinyl. Generally pretty high prices but condition is usually good. Some tasty wall pieces, mainly LPs.

Street map

Keep walking up Camden High Street until you cross the canal bridge and see Camden Lock market on your left. Head up into the market and have a look through the covered stalls in the little quad outside the main building.

Camden Lock Market, Camden High Street, London NW1.

If you're there at a weekend, listen out or ask for Tony. He has a good selection of funk, soul, soundtracks and jazz and is happy to play items despite having a tiny stall. Usually some heat on his 'portable wall' too - haggle with cash for best prices. Go into the main building, then go up the stairs to the first floor and look out for the movie memorabilia shop. Alongside all sorts of posters, stills, books and videos you'll find a good selection of rare and in-demand soundtracks. He used to turn up some excellent rare funk soundtracks and still finds them from time to time. You'll pay for them though.

Street map

Go down the stairs to ground level and walk through the back of the building and you might find another couple of vinyl stores which are pretty hit-and-miss. Once you're outside the back of the main building, ask for directions to Jazzman Gerald's shop.

Jazzman Records, Stables Market, Camden, London NW1. 020 7209 0314

Possibly London's best-known specialist dealer and reissuer of the best jazz, soul and funk, and a nice guy too. His shop is only open at weekends and is tucked away at the back of the railway arches so ask for directions. The shop has a good selection of his stock, generally in great condition. Common items turn up for competitive prices, while you'll also see the real heat. Tasty wall items and plenty of 45s too, both reissues and second-hand. Don't be put off by the expensive stuff on the website - the shop stock turns up some reasonably-priced obscurities.

Street map

Once you've tried the excellent Thai food on offer at the market stalls, grab a pint in one of Camden's decent boozers. The better ones are just off the main street.

Head back the way you came to Camden Town tube. This time, go on the Bank branch of the Northern (black) line and head Southbound. Get off at King's Cross.

STOP 3: King's Cross

King's Cross is a strange area, still grimy and run-down despite repeated efforts to clean it up. If you're looking to score, the hookers and dealers have largely moved up the road to Camden. If you're willing to take a risk, there are a couple of great nightlife spots here, like the Scala and the Cross Bar. Currently it's in chaos as there are major works going on here for the Eurostar high speed rail link to Europe.

Come out of King's Cross tube station. Take a left out of the station, cross the main road, head slightly left and follow Gray's Inn Road around a bend to the right.

Mole Jazz, 311 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8PX. 020 7278 8623

Mole Jazz is the best specialist jazz store in London now that Ray's Jazz Shop has been forced out of its Covent Garden home. The shop's pricing policy has remained firmly in the eighties with most second-hand vinyl marked up at under a tenner, even on items that book for twice that. Stock turns over quickly across their good selection of vinyl, so get in quick. Go upstairs for a large selection of mostly mainstream jazz with the occasional funky gem - the funk-related material tends to sit in their ground floor 'New Arrivals' bins and move quickly. Cheap, friendly, and a peaceful haven from the chaos of West End digging.

Street map

Go back to King's Cross tube. Get back on the Northern Line (Bank Branch), head Southbound and get off at Angel.