The West London district of Notting Hill means different things to different people. For some, it’s a bohemian district of markets and unique shops; while others might think of it as an exclusive residential area, the venue for one of the world’s largest street carnivals, or even as the setting for the iconic film of the same name.
So with that in mind, what is there to do in Notting Hill?
- Portobello Road Market
- Electric Cinema
- Notting Hill Carnival
- Museums of Brands
- St Luke’s Mews
- Rough Trade Records
- Graffik
- Trellick Tower
- Pubs
- Restaurants
- Cafes
Portobello Road Market
Portobello claims to be nothing less than the largest antique market in the world. Principal market days are Friday and Saturday when there can be as many as 1,000 traders stretched out along almost one kilometre of the road. However, you’re still likely to find lots of traders here between Monday and Thursday, offering an incredible range of art; furniture; jewellery; classic books; glass, crystal and silver objects; vintage fashion; and food and drink.
There are also numerous shops on Portobello Road, also selling the sort of thing you’d find at the market stalls, so you really do need to walk along the entire length of the road from the Ladbroke Grove end to the area by Notting Hill Gate tube station.
Electric Cinema
This is no ordinary cinema. At over 100 years old, it’s one of the oldest surviving cinemas in the UK. This Edwardian gem of a building, now Grade II listed and located on Portobello Road, is known for the posh armchairs and sofas, complete with footstools, that you can relax in while watching the films. It also has a licensed bar.
Notting Hill Carnival
Every August Bank Holiday Monday, huge crowds descend on the area for the Caribbean-themed Notting Hill Carnival, which is the largest street festival in Europe. #
The streets of Notting Hill, as well as neighbouring areas of Westbourne Park and Kensington, throb to the sound of Caribbean music and the smells of West Indian food, while revellers don outrageous costumes.
Museums of Brands
This must be one of the quirkiest and most charming independent museums you’ll find anywhere. Crammed with more than 15,000 exhibits, the Museum of Brands on Lancaster Road tells the history of consumer culture, and you can find out about the products we have used and the way we have lived our lives over the past 200 years.
St Luke’s Mews
This out-of-the-way spot is surely one of the most attractive residential streets in London. Notting Hill might be famous for the Hugh Grant film of the same name, but it was another celebrated movie scene that was shot in St Luke’s Mews, where Keira Knightley’s character in Love Actually lived in the house which is painted pink.
Rough Trade Records
Just a stone’s throw from Portobello Road, on Talbot Street, you’ll find the famous Rough Trade music shop. This really is a heavenly location for collectors of vinyl. Music lovers should also visit the nearby Portobello Green Market, where the traders play classic vinyl all day as they sell their wares.
Graffik
This independent Portobello Road gallery specialises in urban and street art. Works by the likes of Banksy are regularly sold and exhibited here.
Trellick Tower
This iconic 31-storey residential building on Golbourne Road was designed in 1972 by celebrated Brutalist architect Erno Goldfinger, who gave his name to the famous Bond villain. Guided tours of the building are available if you pre-book.
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Pubs
Surely the most eye-catching pub in the area is the Churchill Arms, on Kensington Church Street, the exterior of which is decorated with flowers and plants during the summer. Inside, all manner of antiques hang from the ceiling, and there’s an extensive display of exhibits relating to Sir Winston Churchill. Don’t miss their fantastic range of real ales and the great Thai food.
The Cow, on Westbourne Park Road, offers seafood-based fine dining upstairs and more traditional pub fare downstairs.
The Elgin offers an El Gin selection of more than 40 different gins, alongside its range of craft beers. Find it on Ladbroke Grove.
Restaurants
The Ledbury has held two Michelin stars for some time but is now set to re-open as a more informal European brasserie. Head chef Brett Graham, who guided the establishment to its Michelin gongs, remains on board though, so the food should still be excellent. It’s located on Ledbury Road.
Core by Clare Smyth is also well worth a visit. Clare learned her craft under the tutelage of Gordon Ramsay, and now offers modern British fine dining at her Kensington Park Road restaurant.
Orasay, also on Kensington Park Road, continues to earn plaudits for its menu based around seafood from the West of Scotland.
Cafes
You might have to be quick to grab a spot at Otolenghi, as there are only 10 seats. However, this Ledbury Road eaterie offers a mouth-watering range of dishes from all over the Middle East and North Africa.
Daylesford Organic on Westbourne Grove is a London offshoot of the celebrated Cotswolds café-deli. It serves the very best of the organic produce grown at the company farm in the Cotswolds.
Grid is one of the best Portobello Road cafes, and styles itself as ‘the home of the sweet potato waffle’. It also serves great coffee.
Ultimately, Notting Hill has so much to offer, whether you are in the area for business or leisure. Why not have a look at our website for serviced apartments in Notting Hill? They offer the utmost comfort and a ‘home away from home’ feel whilst you are away from yours.