Notting Hill isn’t just pretty houses and a Hugh Grant movie. This West London neighborhood has real character – colorful Victorian homes, one of Europe’s biggest street markets, and a mix of Caribbean culture and upscale London living that you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Here’s what you need to know before you go.
When to Visit Notting Hill?
Spring is your best bet. Late April through May gives you cherry blossoms framing those famous pastel houses, comfortable 12-15°C weather, and fewer crowds than summer. September works well too – autumn colors, school holidays are over, and you’ll avoid the heaviest tourist season.
Saturday is market day, which means chaos. If you want the full Portobello Road Market experience with all 1,500+ dealers present, get there before 10am. After that, it’s shoulder-to-shoulder tourists and locals competing for space on narrow streets.
Friday gives you almost the same market selection with half the people. Same antiques, same vintage fashion, same food stalls, just easier to breathe.
Avoid August bank holiday weekend unless you’re coming specifically for Notting Hill Carnival. Over 2 million people flood the streets, roads close, tubes get restricted, and most local businesses shut down. It’s Europe’s largest street festival, but if you want to see the actual neighborhood, pick literally any other weekend.
Winter (December-February) offers the cheapest accommodation. Hotels drop from £200+ per night in August to £75-100 in January. You’ll deal with cold, damp weather and short days, but your wallet will thank you.
Getting There and Around
Notting Hill Gate station is your main entry point. It sits on the Central, Circle, and District lines, but there’s no step-free access. You’re climbing 2-3 flights of stairs with your luggage.
If stairs are a problem, take the Elizabeth Line to Paddington (fully accessible), then the Circle line one stop to Notting Hill Gate. From Heathrow, the Heathrow Express to Paddington takes 15 minutes, then 5 minutes on the Circle line.
Total time: 45 minutes, but it costs more than other routes.
Get an Oyster Card or use contactless payment. It caps your daily spending automatically, so you won’t overpay. Off-peak travel after 9:30am weekdays saves money.
Don’t drive here. Parking is resident-only permits, the few pay-and-display spots disappear fast, and nearby car parks charge premium rates. Public transport works better.
Where to Eat and Drink in Notting Hill?
Farm Girl Cafe at 59A Portobello Road serves wellness-inspired breakfasts (rose lattes, avocado toast, smoothie bowls) for £8.50+. The space is gorgeous, but expect queues. Get there when they open.
For authentic food away from tourists, hit Golborne Road at the market’s northern end. Lisboa Patisserie has London’s best pastel de nata. Moroccan stalls grill fresh fish with full meals around £12.
Ottolenghi at 63 Ledbury Road showcases Yotam Ottolenghi’s colorful Middle Eastern dishes. It’s popular for a reason, but also crowded.
Looking for more options?
Check out these Notting Hill restaurants near the station. You’ll find everything from Michelin-starred dining to neighborhood bistros.
The Churchill Arms pub surprises everyone – the facade is covered with 100+ flowers and plants, but inside they serve excellent Thai food.
Understanding Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market stretches over a mile. Different sections sell different things on different days.
- Saturday 9am-7pm: Full market with antiques (Chepstow Villas to Elgin Crescent), vintage fashion under the Westway flyover, and international food stalls. Arrive before 10am if you want the first pick of antiques. Alice’s at number 86 has been selling wooden items, toys, and antique decorative pieces since 1887. The Admiral Vernon Antique Market at 141-149 houses 190 indoor dealers.
- Friday: Almost everything from Saturday minus the crushing crowds. Same antiques, same vintage, same food. This is when locals shop.
- Monday-Wednesday: Fruit, vegetables, fresh produce, fishmongers. No tourist trinkets. This is the real neighborhood market.
- Thursday: Half-day market, closes at 1pm.
- Sunday: Main market closed. Small vintage section at Portobello Green only.
The vintage fashion section under Westway serves London stylists hunting designer pieces – Burberry, Chanel, Dior – mixed with 1980s reworked fashion and vintage leather jackets.
Negotiation is expected. Ask “Is there any flexibility on the price?” and start 25-30% below asking price. Late afternoon gets you better deals when vendors don’t want to pack everything home. Bring cash.
The Famous Colorful Houses
Lancaster Road has the boldest colors – purple, blue, green, yellow, lime green, pink – all in one block. It’s Instagram central, which means crowds, especially Saturday afternoons.
Better alternative: St Luke’s Mews. Long cobblestone street, pastel pink and yellow former carriage houses, Victorian street lamps, and way fewer tourists. The Love Actually pink house is here.
The Elgin Crescent loop (Elgin Crescent, Rosmead Road, Lansdowne Road) shows equally stunning houses among the neighborhood’s grandest properties without Lancaster Road’s chaos.
Hidden gems:
- Hillgate Village streets (Farm Place, Hillgate Place, Farmer Street)
- Denbigh Terrace (pink and blue houses at number 25)
- Simon Close (robin-egg-blue houses hidden through a skinny entry)
For portrait photography, come on weekday mornings between 7-9am. You’ll get empty streets. Mid-morning (10am-noon) gives the best natural light.
The blue door from the movie sits at 280 Westbourne Park Road. It’s a private home. Don’t sit on the steps or block the doorway. Residents have literally painted it black before to stop tourists (it’s blue again now).
The Notting Hill Bookshop at 13 Blenheim Crescent recreates the film’s travel bookshop vibe. It’s run by Daunt Books with books arranged by country and cutout masks of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.
Where to Stay in Notting Hill?
The Laslett (8 Pembridge Gardens) is the top choice if you have the budget. Five Victorian townhouses, 51 rooms, prices from £329-450 per night. Less than one minute from Notting Hill Gate Underground Station.
Mid-range: Ruby Zoe Hotel London at Notting Hill Gate (£180-250) follows “Lean Luxury” design at affordable prices. 173 rooms with Caribbean-inspired décor and ground floor bar.
Budget: Onefam Notting Hill Hostel at 63 Prince’s Square (£20-30 per dorm bed) rates 9.6/10 on Hostelworld. Free dinners, organized activities, equipped kitchen. Seven-day maximum stay per 30 days.
Book 1-2 months ahead for mid-range, 2-3 months for luxury. Friday nights cost less than Saturdays, which often require 2-night minimums. January and November offer the cheapest rates.
Quick Tips
Keep these things in mind:
- Bring comfortable walking shoes. The area is hilly with cobblestones.
- Pack a light rain jacket. London’s weather changes fast.
- Bring cash for market negotiations and easier transactions.
- Download TfL Go app for real-time transport updates.
- Allow 2-3 hours minimum for a quick visit, 4-5 hours for market and lunch.
Also:
- Don’t only visit Saturday afternoon – it’s unbearable.
- Don’t expect all of Portobello to be antiques (different sections, different days).
- Don’t drive here.
- Don’t only photograph Lancaster Road when quieter streets look just as good.
And remember: these famous houses have people living in them. Be respectful.
