Notting Hill is a diverse area of London with markets, charming buildings and upmarket restaurants. It is home to Portobello Road Market, which is active daily. There is also an annual Notting Hill Carnival, which is one of the largest street festivals in the world. The area is home to a blend of cultures, many from the Caribbean, after immigrants were drawn here in the 1950s.
Stroll through the Portobello Road Market, which runs through the majority of the Notting Hill area. Admire the colourful houses of Caribbean design. Large sections of the market run daily,although it is more extensive on Saturdays.
The market is renowned for its stalls selling second-hand clothes and antiques. Browse the stalls as you stroll along the winding Portobello Road. Check out vinyl discs, souvenirs and clothes.
Dine at one of the many restaurants and pubs around Notting Hill. Most establishments have their own particular style to make them stand out in the dynamic area and to reflect the range of communities visiting and living here.
Watch parades, dances and street acts at the Notting Hill Carnival, which lasts for two days in August every year. It is a flamboyant blend of cultures, predominantly led by London’s Caribbean community. Look out for the Portobello Film Festival, also held in August.
The first recorded mention of Notting Hill is from a 14th-century Old English text, where it is referred to as “Knottynghull.” The area has been linked with the artisan community since it was first developed in the early 19th century. In the 1980s, the area fell into disrepair. Now, it is a prosperous and stylish area for wealthy locals and travellers.
You can find Notting Hill in the west of London. It is a little further west than Kensington Gardens and just north of Holland Park. There are many London Underground stations scattered around the area, including Holland Park, Notting Hill Gate, Latimer Rd and Shepherd’s Bush. The Overground system also stops here. There are many buses that go to Notting Hill day and night. The market is free to visit.
