London Walking Tour: Notting Hill

Notting Hill is one of London’s most affluent areas. There are many things the area is famous for including the Notting Hill Carnival, the iconic colourful houses and the famous Portobello Road. It’s also the setting for the Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts hit, Notting Hill and draws crowds of people to see the famous mews house used in British rom-com Love Actually. Notting Hill is a great place to spend an afternoon browsing, eating and admiring. The tour I’ve mapped out below will take you past all the key sights of the area so you can experience the best of Notting Hill via your own self-guided walking tour. I’ve even put a map for you to follow.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

You can either start this tour from Ladbroke Grove Station or Notting Hill Gate. I’ve started from Ladbroke Grove but you could easily reverse it if a certain station is easier for you.

Start at Ladbroke Grove (or Notting Hill Gate depending on which direction you want to do the tour from) You can reverse this tour if you prefer.

Ladbroke Grove Tube Station - London Walking Tour: Notting Hill

You’ll begin at the start of the market which follows Portobello Road for just over half a mile. You’ll walk past many stalls featuring a mix of food, fashion and gifts.

Market opening times

09:00 – 18:00 Monday To Wednesday
09:00 – 13:00 Thursday
09:00 – 19:00 Friday Antique stalls
09:00 – 19:00 Saturday Main day
00:00 – 00:00 Sunday (closed) fashion under Portobello Green canopy

Above times are a guide only, shops & cafes open 7 days a week

Referring to the walking map, you’ll want to take a detour off the market to Lancaster Road to see the colourful houses Notting Hill is so famous for. There are many to see in the area.

Continuing on your detour, you’ll arrive at St Luke’s Mews. Not only is it very pretty but it features in British rom-com, Love Actually which is why it attracts such crowds. Do you remember the scene where Keria Knightly is at the front door and Andrew Lincoln is telling her he secretly loves her? That one!

Before we head back to the main road towards Portobello Market you want to take a picture of the houses Westbourne Park Road which is on the way.

Back onto the market, there are plenty more stalls to peruse and sights to take in.

Soon you’ll end up at the antique and vintage goods part of the market. The antique market is only open on certain days, however, the shops & restaurants around it are still open every day as normal.

Market opening times

09:00 – 18:00 Monday To Wednesday
09:00 – 13:00 Thursday
09:00 – 19:00 Friday Antique stalls
09:00 – 19:00 Saturday Main day
00:00 – 00:00 Sunday (closed) fashion under Portobello Green canopy

Above times are a guide only, shops & cafes open 7 days a week

Just a 1-minute walk from the antique market is Denbigh Terrace which has some more pretty houses to admire.

You’ve come to the end of the market but you still have a little bit of Portobello Road to walk through to get to your destination. On your way there is still plenty to see including more colourful houses and cute shops/pubs.

You won’t want to jump on the tube at Notting Hill Gate just yet. Behind the station are even more gorgeous little streets to admire and take a photo.

Also, just behind the station is one of my favourite cafes in London, Eggbreak. They do a delicious all-day brunch perfect to reward yourself after a long walk. Alternatively, if you start the route from here, it’s a great option to fuel you up for the long walk.