Famed for its bohemian reputation, many come to Notting Hill in search of something different, with its pastel-coloured houses sat alongside chic eateries and antique shops.
Despite this, many visitors are surprised by the area’s sophistication. Few places in London give such a sense of fashionable diversity. It’s a vibrant area that boasts a winning combination of style, food and the arts.
A Sunday morning stroll through Portobello Road market promises a feast for the senses, complete with antique stalls, quirky bric-a-bric and pavement cafes. For a more conventional shopping experience, many head for the trendy boutiques and high street retailers of Notting Hill Gate.
Considered one of the greenest areas in the capital, part of Notting Hill’s appeal lies in the abundance of open spaces. Holland Park and Kensington Gardens are among the highlights, not to mention the many communal gardens. Accessible only to residents, these private sanctuaries offer a slice of rural bliss among city living.
From its cultural attractions to the first-rate schools and convenient transport links, it’s easy to understand why many Notting Hill residents wouldn’t dream of leaving.
Find out more about what it is like to live in Notting Hill.
Transportation in Notting Hill
Notting Hill boasts impressive transport links to the rest of the city, as well as other major hubs in the UK. A main London Underground station offers three lines – Central, Circle and District. The nearby stations of Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park also cover the Hammersmith and City Line.
Travelling by car is also effortless thanks to the nearby A4, which links to the M4. From here, central London is accessible to the east, or travel west to Heathrow takes as little as 35 minutes.
Things to do in Notting Hill
Visitors love to explore the winding streets of this cosmopolitan district. For those fortunate enough to reside here, all the major attractions are only a stone’s throw away. Some of the highlights include:
- Ladbroke Square
- Notting Hill Arts Club
- Electric Cinema
- Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising
- Pacifica Day Spa
- Portobello Road Market
- Savana Urban Spa
- Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
- Graffik Gallery
- Holland Park
- Kensington Leisure Centre
- The Print Room
What is Notting Hill Like?
You might know Notting Hill best for the film, the carnival, the market, or simply for the bohemian reputation this little corner of London enjoys. However you know it, you’ll be charmed by it. Cobblestoned streets, tall Georgian houses, a plethora of independent shops and galleries, and unmatched eateries all combine to make for an unmatched neighbourhood right in the middle of London.
Excellent transport links make Notting Hill excellent for city workers, and the sheer amount of culture coupled with excellent schools makes it perfect for raising a family too.
Just some of Notting Hill’s many highlights include:
- Notting Hill Carnival turns this corner of London into a hive of culture and celebration that is unmatched anywhere in England.
- Whether you’re bargain-hunting, grabbing a bite with friends, or simply people-watching, Portobello Market is a bustling highlight every week.
- The Electric Portobello is one of the UK’s oldest purpose-built cinemas. You’ll spend almost as much time appreciating the mix of preserved 1910s design as you will the film!
Transport Links
Notting Hill benefits from excellent transport links, making it easy to reach most of London as well as locations beyond the confines of the M25.
Drivers will appreciate the proximity of the A3220 and the A40 (also known as the Westway). The Westway provides the best route out of London, connecting with the M25 as well as the M40 to the east, and thereby to the Chilterns, Oxford, and all the way north to Birmingham. The A3220 takes you south to Chelsea and Battersea.
You’ll also have three Underground stations within walking distance, putting a huge swathe of London within easy reach.
Ladbroke Grove sits on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, which you can use to reach Paddington in 5 minutes, King’s Cross in 6 minutes, or Liverpool Street in 24 minutes.
Due to a quirk of the Circle line, you’re better off heading to nearby Notting Hill Gate to take the Circle line to Victoria in 10 minutes, and Canon Street in 21 minutes.
For longer journeys, use Ladbroke Grove to take a service to Hammersmith in 8 minutes, where you can change to the Piccadilly line and be in Heathrow Airport in just 32 minutes.
Notting Hill Gate, as well as nearby Holland Park, also sits on the central line, which can take you to Oxford Circus in 8 minutes, Bank in 16 minutes, or to Stratford (and its remarkable shopping centre) in just 27 minutes.
Nearby Shepherd’s Bush sits on the Overground line, which connects you to stations such as Clapham Junction and West Hampstead, as well as mainline rail services that connect to Wembley, Watford, Milton Keynes, Wandsworth, and Brighton.
And, of course, TFL’s bus network makes it easy to hop onto one of a dozen services that runs through Notting Hill and connects you to places such as South Kensington, Camden, Acton, and Oxford Circus.
Schools in the Area
Notting Hill is home to some truly exceptional schools, making it a perfect home for families.
Parents of younger children will love the presence of Thomas Jones Primary School, which Ofsted rates as ‘outstanding’. It was particularly impressed with the fact that “pupils leave Year 6 having attained exceptionally high standards in English, mathematics and science.”
Notting Hill also hosts independent school, Chepstow House, which takes care of pupils from nursery to Year 8. Ofsted deemed this school equally ‘outstanding’, praising Chepstow House as “the curriculum is inspiring and excites pupils to develop a love for learning in a wide range of subjects.”
Continuing the excellence past primary age, Kensington Aldridge Academy is rated as ‘outstanding’ due to the fact that “pupils make outstanding progress in nearly all subjects. This is because teachers use their excellent subject knowledge to plan effectively to meet pupils’ different needs and abilities.”
All Saints Catholic College is also an excellent choice for older children, found by Ofsted to be ‘good’. The inspector was particularly impressed at how “pupils develop excellent knowledge of the subjects they study” and that “the school provides a high-quality education for all its pupils.”
Attractions in Notting Hill
When you live in Notting Hill, you’re spoilt for green spaces, fun activities, and plenty of culture too.
Perhaps the most famous attraction is Notting Hill Carnival. A celebration of Caribbean culture that takes place over two days every August, the heart of the carnival is an enormous parade that has to be seen with your own eyes, with roughly 50,000 performers in traditional costume and plenty of bands and entertainers too. Pop-up stalls sell everything from street food to cocktails, and there’s even activities for children to enjoy too.
After the carnival, Notting Hill is perhaps best known for Portobello Road Market, which takes place every Saturday. It’s the largest antiques market in the UK, but you’ll also find plenty of fashion, books, records, furniture, and collectables. Perfect for bargain hunters! The stalls line the entire stretch of Portobello Road, with plenty of talented buskers providing the soundtrack to your visit. There’s also plenty of food on offer, from fresh produce to hot street food, making a visit to the market anything from a quick shopping trip, a morning of bargain hunting, to a lunch date with friends!
And if you’re on Portobello Road, why not walk around the corner and visit the Museum of Brands? You’ll find 200 years of branding history within, from household names like Persil or Cadbury to forgotten names like Sylvan and Top Deck. A truly unique museum, you’ll be surrounded by vintage designs, classic adverts, and retro product packaging. Seeing your memories encased in glass will raise a nostalgic smile, or perhaps you’ll be surprised that your favourite brand used to look like that!
When you’re in the mood for green spaces, Kensington Gardens is right on your doorstep. Once part of Hyde Park, you’ll find the Gardens more peaceful than its larger neighbour. Wander the paths and admire the Serpentine lake, stop to visit the statue of Peter Pan, or admire the Albert Memorial. Take the kids to the Diana Memorial Playground, where they can explore the giant wooden pirate ship, enjoy the sensory trail, and play amongst the tepees. Spanning 265 acres, the Gardens is perfect for whether you want to play, stroll, or simply sit and enjoy the outdoors for a while.
Bars, Restaurants and Nightlife
Living in Notting Hill, you’ll be surrounded by outstanding restaurants, fantastic bars and pubs, and plenty of ways to spend an evening.
If the thought of going to a restaurant with three Michelin stars intimidates you, let the team at The Core put you at ease. The friendly team will make you feel welcome and make sure your visit is as exquisite as possible. And if the service is good, the food is extraordinary. From cod to lamb, scallops to venison, each dish is prepared to deliver phenomenal flavours that will astound you. Those stars weren’t awarded for no reason; treat yourself to a visit.
You’ll struggle to find a better burger than the ones served at Honest Burgers Portobello. That’s because they use regeneratively-farmed beef from small farms in Gloucestershire, and they cook with a superior cut. The result is juicy, tasty, and puts other burgers to shame.
If you’re looking for somewhere to have a drink with friends or family where you can eat too, visit The Ladbroke Arms. Recently refurbished, this charming pub is a hidden gem amongst the residential area of Notting Hill on Ladbroke Road. Residents love the delicious food which includes dishes like venison saddle and rib-eye steak, as well as the huge variety of beers, wines, spirits and more. But it’s the friendly service that will keep you coming back, as you’re always made to feel welcome!
Make sure you try the Duke of Wellington, too. The pub enjoyed a cameo in the film Notting Hill, and was even the site where Adele signed her first recording contract. It might not be star-studded when you visit, but you’ll still find a lovely traditional pub filled with cosy seating and an open lounge where you can enjoy the wide-ranging drinks menu with family or friends. Visit the stunning dining room on the floor above, where you’ll enjoy classic British dishes from a seasonal menu, all prepared with locally-sourced ingredients.
For an evening at the cinema, make sure you visit the Electric Portobello. One of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in Britain, it’s enjoyed a rich history that saw it survive the bombings of World War II and become Britain’s first black-owned cinema in 1993. These days, it retains all the traditional charm of its 1910s heritage while using modern technology to show new releases, classic films, and independent films. You can enjoy all of these in one of the large, comfortable seats, or even pick one of the leather sofas at the back for true comfort.
Leisure Centres and Outdoor Activities
Residents in Notting Hill have two leisure centres to choose from. Kensington Leisure Centre offers a wide range of facilities, including a 130-station gym packed with state-of-the-art technology. There’s also three swimming pools, a sports hall with eight courts, two squash courts, and even a soft play centre for your youngsters. Once your workout is over, you can unwind at the on-site spa, which also offers a range of express treatments such as massages and facials.
For something a little different, try London’s largest climbing wall in The Westway Sports and Fitness Centre. Whether you’re new to climbing or a seasoned climber, you’ll find a challenge waiting for you. Aside from the sheer size of the wall, there are a staggering 350 routes to follow; plenty of reason to keep returning. Make use of the individual or group coaching to help you tackle the more challenging routes, or learn the basics as a family new to climbing!
If you want to combine gentle exercise with a little local tourism, try Notting Hill Bike Tours. You’ll be hopping onto two wheels to take in landmarks and places around the capital, some of which are famous, some of which are hidden gems. Your tour guide will tell you all about the city around you with clear, funny, and educational stories, and there’ll even be some music to listen to as you move from stop to stop.
History of Notting Hill
London’s fashionable Notting Hill wasn’t always the desirable location it is today. Only 50 years ago, it was described by many as a slum, complete with multi-occupied housing, poor infrastructure and worryingly high crime rates. Undergoing one of the most extensive transformations found across the city, it’s hard to imagine this humble recent past.
Notting Hill’s history can actually be traced back to the 19th century, when it gained prominence for its local potteries and pig farms. As such, the area become affectionately known as the Potteries and Piggeries. Although it remained rural for much of this time, architect Thomas Allason oversaw the development of the Ladbroke and Norland estates. These large houses, once home to the affluent, soon fell into disrepair following World War II.
Despite the declining living conditions and race riots of 1958, Notting Hill emerged from its tumultuous past as one of the city’s most sought-after destinations. This vibrant heritage is still celebrated each year with the Notting Hill Carnival.