Your Guide to Notting Hill: A London Day Out with Our Top 8 Sights

Whether you're browsing the colourful market stands on Portobello Road or seeking out iconic filming locations and trendy fashion boutiques, dive headlong into the fascinating world that is London’s Notting Hill. We’ll show you how and where to while away the day in this delightful neighbourhood. Join us as we explore eight different things to do, with insider tips that will delight both film lovers and fashion fans – and help you find your new favourite spot in Notting Hill.

Notting Hill's Portobello Road Market has been a treasure seeker’s paradise for nearly two hundred years. Since the 1950s, it's been known for its huge selection of antiques, but nowadays you can find just about anything here, from furniture, paintings and posters to vintage clothes and records.
 

Spend some time rummaging through London’s history at this bustling market and soaking up Notting Hill's unique vibe. Start out early in the morning from a nearby hotel such as Mercure London Paddington, and make sure you have several spare hours to explore at your leisure. It's also a great place for the whole family to find some special mementos and souvenirs.

• London W11 1LJ
• Open daily 8am-7pm (9am-5pm in winter). The market spills over into additional areas, such as Golborne Road and Westbourne Grove, on Fridays and Saturdays
• Within easy walking distance of Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park Tube stations. There are also bus stops nearby

Notting Hill is world-famous as the setting for the film of the same name starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Wander through this neighbourhood to discover the places you know and love from the rom-com classic. Some of the most iconic locations include:

• Portobello Road Market, which features in the film's opening montage

• The blue door at 280 Westbourne Park Road

• The travel bookshop at 142 Portobello Road, the setting for William Thacker’s quaint bookshop

Soak up the area’s cinematic past as you wander around the picturesque streets and imagine the actors on set in this very same place back in 1999. We reckon the real Notting Hill is just as beguiling as it appears in the film, don't you?

In addition to its well-known attractions, Notting Hill is also home to a host of hidden London treasures just waiting to be discovered. Away from the hustle and bustle of Portobello Road, a stroll through St. Lukes Mews is well worth your while. This picturesque street is lined with pastel-coloured houses that form the perfect backdrop for a photo.
 

You can also explore the small gardens and hidden squares tucked away from the tourist trail. These include Rosmead Garden, a particularly gorgeous private garden that's rarely open to visitors but can be visited during the annual Open Garden Squares Weekend in the summer. And don’t miss the chance to meander down Elgin Crescent, where the tiny boutiques and charming cafés perfectly capture the essence of Notting Hill.

Westbourne Grove is famous for its colourful selection of boutiques and designer shops. Wander through the streets and discover fashion from local and international designers – you’ll find everything here, from vintage to the latest fashion trends.

Reformation is known for its eco-friendly fashion. Stars such as Emily Ratajkowski and Kendall Jenner love the sustainable dresses, skirts and swimwear.

• 186 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, W11 2RH
• Open Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm

Caramel offers an exquisite selection of luxury lifestyle goods with a touch of vintage aesthetic, including clothing and home décor.

• Children’s clothing at 77 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, W11 2AG; women’s fashion at 38B Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, W11 2AB
• Open Mon-Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am-5pm

At this boutique, you'll find casual, feminine French-style fashion, including knitwear, printed blouses and completely unique accessories.

• 233 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SE
• Open Mon-Sat 10:30–6:30pm, Sun 11am-6pm

Take some time to admire the shop windows on Westbourne Grove and just maybe you’ll find your new favourite piece. Need a break from shopping? There are lots of cosy cafés where you can put your feet up for a while.

This peaceful London park is where both locals and visitors alike can enjoy a break from busy city life. Take a leisurely walk along the well-tended paths, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowerbeds. Or settle down on one of the many benches to give your feet a quick break from all that sightseeing.
 

At the heart of the park lies Kyoto Garden, a gift from Japan to the city of London. The traditional Japanese plants and waterfalls here make it an inviting place to linger for a while.

If you're travelling with kids who've got energy to burn, there are a number of play areas and sports fields to choose from. And Holland Park isn’t just a place to relax in – it’s also a centre of culture that hosts events throughout the year, including productions by long-standing company Opera Holland Park.

Notting Hill is bursting with creativity, so there's plenty of opportunity for cultural experiences. Here are some perennial favourites:

One of the oldest cinemas in the UK, Electric Cinema is particularly popular because of its luxurious interior, which combines old-school charm with modern comfort. You can enjoy films from comfortable leather armchairs, sofas and even a front-row bed, while food and drink is served directly to you. Cinema-going doesn't get more pampered than this!

• 191 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED

In the galleries along Portobello Road, you’ll find works by both emerging and established artists, ranging from contemporary art and photography to selected vintage pieces. Highlights include The Muse, with its “Artists for Artists” ethos, and Graffik Gallery London, which focuses on street art.
 

The Muse

• 269 Portobello Rd, London W11 1LR
• Open Thurs-Sun noon-6pm

There are plenty of colourful wall murals in Notting Hill, particularly around Westbourne Grove. Renowned artists such as Banksy have also left their mark on the area around Portobello Road with works imbued with political and social messages.

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Notting Hill offers a wealth of cosy pubs and cafés, perfect for indulging and unwinding.

This historic pub combines English cosiness with eccentricity, and is popular for its sumptuous floral decorations and authentic Thai cuisine.

• 119 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 7LN
• Open Mon-Sat 11am–11pm, Sun noon-10:30pm

This trendy chain offers a cosy brunch experience with a variety of innovative dishes that incorporate high-quality organic ingredients. Known for its excellent coffee and dog-friendly attitude.

• 59a Portobello Rd, W11 3DB
• Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm

In addition to comfort food like juicy burgers and crispy chicken wings, you’ll also be able to enjoy a variety of events such as live music, theatre and art exhibitions here.

• 35 Powis Square, off Portobello Road, London, W11 2AY
• Café open Mon-Sat noon-9pm

Every year, two world-famous events take place in Notting Hill. Perhaps your trip will coincide with one of these festivals – or maybe you’ll even craft your stay in London around them.

One of the largest street festivals in Europe, taking place every year on the last weekend in August. Over three days, the lively Notting Hill Carnival celebrates Caribbean culture with music, dance, parades and culinary delights. The colourful costumes and outstanding dance performances attract around 1.5 million spectators every year.

The parade starts on Saturday and winds its way through the streets of Notting Hill. On Sunday, there are often additional activities going on, including smaller parades, music stages and stands selling Caribbean food and crafts.

The annual Portobello Film Festival showcases independent films of various genres and formats, including feature films, short films, documentaries, music films and animations. There's also a range of exciting workshops and presentations. The festival takes place in September in various locations throughout Notting Hill and admission to most showings is free.

While Notting Hill is easily one of the most enchanting corners of London, the English capital also offers visitors countless other unique sights. Whether you decide to visit a museum, follow in Harry Potter's footsteps or feast on an authentic English afternoon tea in one of the most elegant hotels in the city, one thing's for certain: you’ll never get bored in London.