Experiences
Things to Do in Notting Hill
Antiques, pastel terraces and a market that runs for a mile: west London at its most photogenic.
In short: our top picks are Portobello Road Market, Portobello's pastel houses and Electric Cinema. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Notting Hill earns its reputation on a Saturday, when Portobello Road unspools a mile of antiques, vintage and street food and the whole neighbourhood turns out. Beyond the market there are pastel terraces to photograph, a legendary record shop and one of Britain’s oldest cinemas with sofas instead of seats. It is a place to wander rather than tick off, ideally folding in lunch and a browse. When you are ready to eat and drink, the area’s restaurants, bars and pubs are some of the best in west London.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Portobello Road Market | Notting Hill | ££ |
| Portobello's pastel houses | Notting Hill | |
| Electric Cinema | Notting Hill | £££ |
| The Coronet Theatre | Notting Hill | |
| Rough Trade West | Notting Hill | |
| Notting Hill Carnival | Notting Hill, W10 and W11 |
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Editor’s choice
Portobello Road Market
Why we pick itOne of the world's largest antiques markets, best on a Saturday, running from silver and vintage down to fruit stalls and street food.
antiques street market
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Portobello's pastel houses
Why we pick itThe candy-coloured terraces that made the postcode famous, best photographed on a quiet morning around Lancaster Road and Colville Terrace.
photogenic streets
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Electric Cinema
Why we pick itOne of Britain's oldest working cinemas, watched from plush sofas and armchairs with bar service, on Portobello Road.
historic cinema
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The Coronet Theatre
Why we pick itA gloriously faded Victorian theatre turned experimental arts space, staging boundary-pushing theatre, film and music.
arts venue
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Rough Trade West
Why we pick itThe original branch of the legendary record shop, crates of vinyl and in-store sessions a short walk off Portobello Road.
record shop
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Notting Hill Carnival
Why we pick itEurope's biggest street festival, a million-strong August bank holiday of sound systems, soca and Caribbean food.
street festival
Before you book
Notting Hill Gate (Central, District and Circle lines) is the main station, though Ladbroke Grove drops you closer to the top of Portobello Road. Come Saturday for the full antiques market, or a quiet weekday if you would rather have the streets to yourself. The August bank holiday is Carnival, glorious but heaving, so plan around it.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Portobello Road Market is our editor's choice: One of the world's largest antiques markets, best on a Saturday, running from silver and vintage down to fruit stalls and street food. Portobello Road Market, Portobello's pastel houses and Electric Cinema lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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