Camden Beach 2016: what to expect this year

Come on, you’ve earned some leisure time: it’s been a pretty horrid year so far, after all. So if you’re spending at least some of your valuable summer in north London, then you can do worse than hit this almost exotic spot (especially off-peak midweek, when it can be quite tranquil).

Returning for its fifth – count ’em – year, the Roundhouse’s spacious terrace once again morphs into the unlikely railside summer destination that we would bet most locals by now have tried out. They promise “more sand than ever before”, plus a line-up of pop-up restaurants, Caribbean BBQ, craft beer bars, beach games, deckchairs, live football, Olympic Games screenings and beach huts.

How much will it set you back? Nada, of course: it’s free for everyone to enjoy. But to secure the best spot on the sand, and beat the queue while you’re at it, they recommend you book one of the VIP beach huts (they would, right?) with cushioned seating, a private outdoor space, fridge full of drinks, BBQ food, waiter service, popcorn and more.

And if that’s all too pricey, then just lounge about on the sand and soak up some free music as NW1’s hottest playa will also play host to a series of live performances from young and emerging musicians and DJs who’ve all come through the Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse Studios, the creative space for young people right underneath the iconic circular Main Space.