The results are in – and the London borough of Camden is featured in more hit songs than any other place in the UK. Find out how your area compares with this interactive map
Camden, south London, has been named Britain’s most musical area
Camden hipsters rejoiced as the north London borough was officially named the most musical area in Britain.
Locations in Camden have inspired an impressive seven hit songs, from Pulp’s Sorted For E’s and Wizz to No Regrets by Dappy. Camden Market even features on the cover of The Clash’s self-titled debut album.
In second place was Brixton, south London, followed by Liverpool, according to a study by National Rail. Researchers analysed the lyrics of every UK hit since 1960 to create their interactive digital map of Britain.
There’s even a new set of audio guides to go with it, narrated by DJ Jo Whiley and featuring ex-All Saints singer Melanie Blatt. Listeners can take a deep dive into musical history as they explore areas around the UK.
Liverpool came in third thanks to bands like The Beatles and The Beautiful South(Image: Getty Images)
Jo said: “Locations in Britain and the railway have been a source of inspiration for music artists for as long as I can remember.
“There’s no better way to connect with the music and artists you love than going to see the locations that inspired them in person.”
The study found Brixton – home to artists like Mick Jones from The Clash – comes up in five major hits, including Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant. Meanwhile Liverpool has four, including Rotterdam by The Beautiful South.
Travellers can also use the map to find everything from Taylor Swift’s Black Dog pub, in Vauxhall, south London, to The Smiths’ Cemetery Gates in Manchester.
Music boffin Dr Lucy Bennett, who helped analyse the study, said: “This incredible research gives us a fascinating insight into how surroundings fundamentally influence music. Whether it’s a pub, a castle, or a city street, these real-world locations ground our favourite songs in memory.”
Brixton’s Electric Avenue was immortalised by Eddy Grant(Image: Getty Images)
The research also found nearly one in five Brits have previously visited a place linked to a musician or artist – with three in ten travelling 250 miles or more.
Popular locations for pilgrimages included venues an act played before they were famous, their hometown or scenes from their album artwork.
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO at Rail Delivery Group, said: “With this year marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway we wanted to highlight the role rail has played in inspiring music artists and how it continues to help connect Britons to the people, places and experiences they love.”
Britain’s top 10 most musical areas
1. Camden, north London – seven hit songs
2. Brixton, south London – five hit songs
3. Liverpool, Merseyside – four hit songs
4. Soho, central London – four hit songs
5. Waterloo, central London – four hit songs
6. Wembley, north London – four hit songs
7. Tottenham, north London – four hit songs
8. Buckingham Palace, central London – three hit songs
9. Brighton, East Sussex – three hit songs
10. Bristol – two hit songs
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