Lancaster Road grabs attention with its brightly painted facades, while Portobello Road invites you past antique shops, and on Westbourne Grove, your stroll easily turns into an afternoon of shopping. Notting Hill in London has many facets. While you can visit just for the market, focusing on one street does the area a disservice.
Portobello began as a food market in the 19th century, with antiques and vintage boutiques joining later. This blend is still visible: among the visitors are everyday shoppers, alongside those hoping to bring home a vintage mirror. The latter might require a more spacious suitcase.
Set aside a morning or afternoon and keep your itinerary flexible when visiting Notting Hill. It's easier to step into a bookstore here than to step back out.
What to Do in Notting Hill London
Most places below can be combined into one walk. Start at Portobello Road and venture into the side streets towards Westbourne Grove or Lancaster Road. The canal adds an extra walking segment if you have more time.
The Colorful Streets of Notting Hill
On Lancaster Road, vibrantly colored houses stand side by side, while around Colville Terrace and Elgin Crescent, you’ll find softer hues and curved rows of townhouses. The mix makes it fun to occasionally stray from Portobello Road.
St Luke’s Mews is more intimate, with former carriage houses in a narrow lane. Don't just race through for photo spots; take a side street, see where it leads, and enjoy the journey.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market is about more than antiques. Fixed shops and covered passages line the street, along with stalls selling clothing, collectibles, and food. Moving north, towards the Westway and Portobello Green, vintage finds more space.
Saturday is the busiest and most extensive market day, featuring famed antique dealers. Arriving early helps if you want to browse without constantly following the crowd. Friday is another key market day, particularly for vintage, focusing on the northern section.
On other days, the selection is more limited. Shops, cafes, and some stalls still make a visit worthwhile, but don’t expect the same scene every day. Check the current details at Portobello Road Market before heading out, especially around holidays.
Shopping and Dining on Westbourne Grove
On Westbourne Grove, swap market stalls for fashion boutiques, home goods stores, and curated window displays. Wander into Ledbury Road, where the streets offer a different shopping experience with more boutiques and less antiques than Portobello Road.
This part of Notting Hill is perfect for casually browsing without a shopping list. You’ll find clothing, home accessories, and places for coffee or lunch. Pair Westbourne Grove with the southern half of Portobello Road for a walk where the market doesn’t define the whole itinerary. Dine at Granger & Co or the beloved Ottolenghi.
Bookshops and Film Locations in Notting Hill
The Notting Hill Bookshop at 13 Blenheim Crescent inspired the travel bookshop in the film with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Nowadays, they also stock novels, non-fiction, and children’s books. On the same street, you’ll find Books for Cooks, a haven for those who find cookbooks as tempting as a restaurant menu.
The shopfront actually seen in the movie is located at 142 Portobello Road. The famous blue door from Notting Hill can also be viewed from the street at 280 Westbourne Park Road. It’s a residential address, not an attraction where you can ring the bell.
Walking Along the Grand Union Canal
If you want to extend your walk after shopping, head towards Westbourne Park and the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal. The water isn’t in the heart of Notting Hill; consider this an expansion of your visit.
From the north side of the district, walk towards the canal and follow your path along the water to Little Venice. Here, houseboats, bridges, and the convergence of waterways make it worth lingering. Check your route and towpath access in advance.
Museum of Brands
At the Museum of Brands on Lancaster Road, explore history through packaging, advertising, and everyday products. Tins, boxes, toys, and ads showcase changing habits and design.
This might sound niche, but you don’t have to be in advertising to appreciate it. Ordinary objects speak volumes about what people bought, how manufacturers sold it, and which promises have endured generations. A fun spot to have in mind for a rainy day.
Want to wander without relying on loose saved addresses? Check out my Google Maps guide of London, accessible on your phone.
Hotels in Notting Hill London
If you wish to stay in Notting Hill, pay attention to the location: around Notting Hill Gate is different from the northern part near Ladbroke Grove. These four hotels vary greatly in atmosphere, from a classic townhouse to a hotel with a strikingly colorful bar.
The Laslett
The Laslett spans five grand Victorian townhouses near Notting Hill Gate. The decor reflects the neighborhood, with art and a homely approach instead of an impersonal hotel lobby. Downstairs is The Henderson Bar & Kitchen, welcoming locals too. This is ideal if you’re seeking character and comfort, along with hotel services and a nearby tube station.
Portobello House
Portobello House combines a hotel with a bar and bistro. Located at the north end of Notting Hill, near Ladbroke Grove, it offers a different choice from the hotels around Notting Hill Gate. It’s conveniently close to the northern market area and Lancaster Road. Room categories range from Cosy to Superior. Check the size when booking, as the smallest isn’t named 'Cosy' for nothing.
Ruby Zoe Hotel
At Ruby Zoe, the area's Caribbean heritage is captured in colors, patterns, and references to music and carnival. The bar plays a key role in the hotel, offering coffee, cocktails, and events. The rooms are designed for tranquility, featuring soundproofing and rain showers. The hotel is about a five-minute walk from Notting Hill Gate, providing a distinct atmosphere compared to the classic townhouses nearby.
The Portobello Hotel
The Portobello Hotel at Stanley Gardens opts for unique rooms rather than uniform design. No two rooms are the same; interiors nod to the area's bohemian history, with patterns and classic details. A drawing room offers an honesty bar for a drink before or after dining. The hotel sits in a tranquil residential street, ideal for those booking for the character of the building.
Restaurants and Bars in Notting Hill
For breakfast and brunch, numerous cafes suffice, while pubs offer more serious options. In the evening, the choice shifts to restaurants and brasseries where you can linger. Here are six of my favorites.
The Pelican
The Pelican on All Saints Road is a pub where the kitchen truly shines. It focuses on British dishes and carefully selected suppliers. It’s a place for a real lunch or dinner, not just a pint between shops. A visit pairs well with the northern stretch of Portobello Road. Reservations are recommended; it’s also popular among locals.
The Cow
At The Cow on Westbourne Park Road, the emphasis is on Guinness, oysters, and fish, along with heartier pub dishes. Downstairs is the saloon bar, with a separate dining area upstairs. While The Pelican offers mainly British cuisine, The Cow leans towards seafood. It’s a memorable spot for a drink or an extended meal.
Gold
Gold, on Portobello Road, combines a restaurant with a bar that stays lively later. The seasonal dishes are meant to share, partly cooked in wood ovens. The interior features greenery, raw materials, and a less traditional vibe than pubs in this selection. Perfect for an evening with multiple small plates, though deciding who gets the last bite is inevitable.
Farm Girl
Farm Girl at 59A Portobello Road is a café for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The menu includes delightful eggs benedict, pancakes, and lighter lunch options. Situated on the southern side of Portobello Road, it’s a great starting point before heading further up the market street.
Eggbreak
At Eggbreak on 30 Uxbridge Street, the focus is clear: eggs, prepared in many ways. Located near Notting Hill Gate, it’s a breakfast and brunch spot to visit before your walk. While Farm Girl offers a broader menu, Eggbreak’s identity revolves around this one ingredient. Keep in mind it’s mainly open during the day; don’t push it to your dinner plans.
Julie’s Restaurant
Julie’s on Portland Road boasts a history dating back to 1969 and reopened in 2024. The current menu resembles a modern French brasserie, with a bar and various spaces. It’s located away from the hustle of Portobello Road and is more of a destination to book in advance than to stumble across. Ideal for a leisurely lunch or an evening centered on the restaurant itself.
How to Get to Notting Hill
Notting Hill Gate is on the Central, Circle, and District lines, convenient for the south of the district, Ruby Zoe, The Laslett, and Eggbreak. Follow Pembridge Road toward the start of Portobello Road. If your priority is the market followed by Westbourne Grove, this is a logical starting point.
Ladbroke Grove is on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, better if you’re beginning with Lancaster Road, the Museum of Brands, or the northern market area. You could also walk from north to south through the district, finishing at a different station.
Want more locations beyond Notting Hill? In my Google Maps guide of London with e-book, you’ll find over 100 personally curated hotspots and tips per neighborhood, helping you explore beyond the most famous streets during your city trip.
