This is some hopefully useful information about the local 'hood. If there is a star (*) next to an item,
it means we've actually been there, done that. If you have questions, need advice, or would like suggestions, just
ask one of us.
General Area
Notting Hill is located in West London, a part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC).
It has a reputation as a fashionable area, known for attractive Victorian townhouses, shopping, and restaurants.
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It is home to Europe's largest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival every August, the landmark building Trellick Tower,
and the famous Portobello Road Market*.
The district adjoins two large public parks, Holland Park and Kensington Gardens, with Hyde Park within 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east.
Once considered as almost slum-like, it is now home to a culturally vibrant community, and home to several of the rich and famous.
Many musical artists started there, with Tom Jones playing his first London gig nearby, at the KPH. And the 101ers (forerunner of the Clash) played at The Elgin.
The gentrification has encompassed some streets that were among the 1980s' most decrepit,
including the now expensive retail sections of Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road, as well as Portobello Road's
emergence as a top London tourist attraction with its boutiques and independent shops.
Notting Hill has a high concentration of restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes.
One of London's oldest picture houses, the
Electric Cinema ,
is also here and has managed to retain its vintage charm over the last 100 years.
Next door is the Speedboat Bar with a Thai inspired menu.
Notting Hill provides the setting for novels by G.K. Chesterton (The Napoleon of Notting Hill),
Colin MacInnes (Absolute Beginners), Michael Moorcock (the Jerry Cornelius quartet),
R. C. Sherriff (The Hopkins Manuscript), and Alan Hollinghurst (The Line of Beauty).
Dan Waddel's The Blood Detective is a murder novel set in the past and present
- The area's newer, wealthy residents are satirised in Rachel Johnson's (sister of Boris Johnson) novel Notting Hell
(2006) set in grand houses surrounding a fictional communal garden.
The area is also the setting of the films The Knack ... and How to Get It (1965), Performance (1970)
featuring Mick Jagger, Lava (2001), and Paddington (2014). Notting Hill also serves as the locale
for the 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
Hablot Knight Browne, the cartoonist who illustrated Charles Dickens' novels as "Phiz", lived at No. 99 Ladbroke Grove in 1872-80
Other Film locations in the area.
Portobello also has it's own film festival each year.
There is also a rumoured (and famous) haunting in the area - The #7 Ghost Bus. It hasn't been seen much since 1990,
but it was seen by several people over the years. For the whole story read The Phantom Bus of Ladbroke Grove
Essentials
This is the important stuff you'll want to have at hand - money, food, medicine, help. Remember
that for the UK in an emergency dial 999. If you have a US phone I have heard that 911 in the UK will
redirect to 999. Another number that you can use is 112 (European emergency number)
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Money: One of the first things we do once we land is hit the ATM (or Cashpoint) to grab some local cash. (Hint,
if your bank has an agreement with a local bank, using the ATM is a better exchange rate than getting
currency from your home bank or exchanging at the Bureau de Change on the high street.
Avoid changing at the airports if you can, they have the worst rates anywhere.) Before you go check to
see if your bank works with a local bank. i.e. Bank of America partners with Barclays in the UK.
Last I checked Wells Fargo has no partners, but it can save a lot in fees if they do.
There are ATMs in most Tesco and Sainsbury stores. Notting Hill Gate Station (#52 or #452 bus)
has nearby Barclays, Lloylds and HSBC branches
Police: Aside from dialing 999 or 112 in an emergency, you can also do much police work online. Contact info Colville Ward:
ph. 020 8721 3005 email: Colville.snt@met.police.uk. The nearest 24-hour station to this location is Shepherd's Bush Police Station, 252 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherd's Bush .
Groceries: There is a Tesco Metro on Portobello Rd. Sainsburys is just under the railway
bridge as you exit the Ladbroke Grove Underground Station. A little further on in that direction is a small
Tesco Express. If you continue up
Ladbroke Grove about a mile that way there is a very large Sainsburys just before the canal. Though it's being rebuilt soon to make way for new luxury flats. If you're looking for something a little more
upscale you can try The Grocer On Elgin, Waitrose has a big store in the Westfield Mall and a smaller in Notting Hill Gate.
Drug Stores: Chana Chemist is just across from the Ladbroke Grove Station,and Blenheim Pharmacy
is just a block south on Portobello Rd. The nearest Boots is about a mile away, by Notting Hill Gate station, and the
Superdrug and Boots are at the Westfield Shopping Mall.
Everything Else: Noors Hardware and Kitchenware is at 243 Portobello, across from the Tesco Metro. It is actually 3 tiny stores one side dealing
with all things housewares-ish and the other focused on all things hardwarey. You'll be amazed at how many things they have! There's also a new hardware next to Chopstix.
Shopping
Westbourne Grove is a retail road running across Notting Hill from Kensington Park Road up to
Queensway, crossing over Portobello Road. Kensington is also home to the world famous
Harrods* Department store - be sure to
check out the Food Halls and the Egyptian Staircase.
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The street was noted as "fashionable" and "up-and-coming" from the 1990s and since then it has attracted many designer
label outlets as well as independent and chain retailers. Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road include expensive retail sections.
Portobello Road runs almost the entire length of Notting Hill from north to south.
It runs mostly parallel to Ladbroke Grove. It contains Portobello Road Market*, one of London's
best known markets, containing an antique section and second-hand section, fruit and veg vendors, and
clothing stalls. The northern terminus is at Golborne Road; the southern market end is about at Westbourne Grove.
The market area is about 1,028 yards (940 m) long.
Westfield Mall is a little further away, in Shepherds Bush / White City
(just 2 stops up on the Tube). It is a GIANT mega mall, and is likely to have whatever you need.
Looking for that great deal? Check out FARA Charity shops. Quirky and innovative,
this shop offers the discerning charity shopper a steady stream of quality finds and often one-off designer pieces.
Soak up the vibe of Notting Hill, home to the world-famous Portobello Market.
Dining
This area sports two "Michelin 2 Starred" restaurants within a half mile -
Core by Clare Smyth and
The Ledbury. Be aware, you may have to reserve a table at least a month in advance.
A bit further out is The Harwood Arms in Fulham. A Michelin starred Pub. 3 courses £61, 2 courses £47. For gastro pub fare it's a short
skip to . . .
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The Elgin*,
or a quick hop up to the
The Castle*, (where you can watch the tourists line up to have their photos
taken in front of Hugh Grant's front door in the movie "Notting Hill".
If you like Turkish, we recommend Fez Mangal* right outside of our old mews. It gets great reviews on Yelp
if you want a second opinion, and they do both sit down and take away. (To Go items).
We have a great little Greek place on Portobello next to Tesco, Tavernaki *.
The back room is really fun and the food is really good. One of our Faves.
If you like sushi, we recommend IKKYU Conveni* _right_ outside of the old mews.
Its an Asian quickie mart, and in the back they have a small sushi counter (and fresh made to go in the cooler). We usually hit it right after dropping our bags. Mostly take out.
Our new fave Italian place is Portobello Garden Saporitalia*. Our old fave,
Essenza* is a small Italian place on on Kensington Park Road, a
street away from the crowds on Portobello Road. It is the sister restaurant to the more popular Osteria Basilico and
Mediterraneo just down the street. Great food and excellent service. More Local oriented than tourist.
Of course another family favorite is Market Thai*, between UKAI and pepperon. Carissa's fave place to eat, next to Chopstix.
Lets not forget Trejo's Tacos on Portobello. Great tacos and margaritas, with some british twists - [Chicken Tikka Taco?].
There are a number of coffee shops, cafes, and bakeries nearby.
Happy Donuts Just about 15 steps from the flat!
Pepperon Cafe* , home of the fluffy dog Coco. Really close, a good menu and the staff are great.
Mikes Cafe* is a local staple. It gets packed on weekends, but less so during the week. Amazing breakfasts, reasonable prices. I think they might also do lunch. Fun atmosphere too! Be sure to try it.
Farm Girl Cafes (nearest is on Portobello Road) is an
Holistic & honest Australian owned cafe chain in London serving healthy food & damn good coffee.
Palki in Ladbroke Grove is a 10-15 walk but is highly recommended in the area for their Indian food.
You can get take-away, delivery or make a reservation.
Egg Slut is a chef driven, gourmet food concept founded in 2011. It's inspired by a true love for eggs.
The Knight of Notting Hill* (aka The KPH) on Ladbroke Grove is a local landmark as well as being one of
London's oldest live music venues. They have a ground floor pub and hotel rooms for £300-400 a night. They server a fusion of british Indian food.
Longing for that tropical vibe? Check out Trailer Happiness Trailer Happiness is an award winning
cocktail bar and restaurant on Portobello Road serving the finest classic and original cocktails with a Tiki twist since 2003. They specialize in rum based drinks as well.
For quick sandwiches and such there's also good old Pret a Manger* (or Pret for short).
A good variety and right near the Tube station
Looking for Gluten Free? Several places offer gluten free options if you ask, and there are a few places that are entirely gluten free. Check out
Essenza* for nearby gluten free pasta dishes.
Farm Girl Cafe has some options. Honest Burgers,
and Hummingbird Bakery (all on Portobello) can also do GF options.
For 100% gluten free restaurants you need to travel a little further -
Libby's Bakery a local bakery, known for their 100% Gluten Free goodies,
Niche in Angel, Islington. and
Indigo at One Aldwych.
Cotto Italian isn't 100% GF, but it can cater to celiacs. Did someone say Fish & Chips?
Hobsons Fish and Chips does a really good F&C, and has a great selection of
Gluten Free fish, onion rings and dessert.
Other recommendations from neighborhood locals:
Tea Time -
You're in London - fancy a spot of tea? Here's a selection of ideas. Tea can be as plain or fancy,
wierd or wonderful as you like:
Parks & Rec
Kensington Leisure Centre
offers a large 120 station gym;
3 beautiful swimming pools; a large sports hall; an in-house cafe; Spa Experience; as well as three studios,
including a dedicated group cycle studio, that provide over 65 weekly fitness classes a week.
Silchester Road, London W10 6EX
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Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds three natural bathing ponds
and one 60m Lido. For 8 years and older in the ponds. Under 8 can swim in the Lido with an adult.
Holland Park Holland Park is the Royal Borough's
largest park. It has gardens, play facilities,sports areas,opera performances, a cafeteria, areas of woodland, and the beautiful Kyoto Garden.
Ilchester Place, London W8
Tavistock Square Gardens
contains a large lawn surrounded by trees, shrub beds, a children’s playground an exercise area with gym equipment. Tavistock Crescent W11
Colville Square Gardens
A small London square incorporating shrubs, floral planting and a small play area for younger children. Colville Square W11
Kensington Memorial Park
has gardens to visit or use a popular waterplay area. A kiosk is open in the park in the summer months. St. Mark's Road, W10
Wormwood Scrubs Open Space might
not usually be associated with beautiful park land, but the open space is the perfect place to visit when you want to fancy a stroll in the fresh air to take in the sights.
Also see Little Wormwood Scrubs which consists of a
large open area with amenity grassland, semi-improved neutral grassland, scrub, scattered trees and woodland. It is a popular park with residents.
Once part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens* offers a
mix of old and new park pastimes and green space.
Get your fix of contemporary art and architecture at the Serpentine Galleries, marvel at the history and heritage of
Kensington Palace or admire the Victorian splendour of the Albert Memorial. Over in the Diana Playground,
kids will enjoy the huge wooden pirate ship, sensory trail and play sculptures, inspired by the adventures
of fictional park hero, Peter Pan.
Set right in the heart of London, Hyde Park* offers
both world-class events and concerts together with plenty of quiet
places to relax and unwind.
Dip your toes in the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, brave an open water swim in the Serpentine, or
just admire the views across the lake from a waterside cafe.
Have a go at boating, tennis, horse riding, or join the many joggers, walkers and cyclists enjoying the open air.
Getting Around / Transportation
Ladbroke Grove is the closest Tube Station to the flat. On the Hammersmith & City Line
and Circle Line it's only 0.2 miles away. (about 2.5 blocks or a 5 min. walk) Just take note, one of the platforms is about 6-8 inches
above the train doors, so be ready to high step up.(Sometimes tricky with a heavy bag. They're working on it.)
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Other stations in Notting Hill area include Notting Hill Gate (located 0.9 miles south, about 8 mins on the #52 bus) (Central, Circle and District Lines),
Westbourne Park and Royal Oak ( Hammersmith & City Line).
There are also many buses operating across the whole of Notting Hill, including routes 27, 28, 31, 52, 70, 94,
328 and 452 amongst others
Ladbroke Grove Stn Bus Map
Westbourne Park Stn Bus Map
TfL Visitor Maps & Info
TfL Audio Guides
TfL Trasportation Map of the area around the flat
Heathrow Trains* Advice
Airport: The closest airport to Notting Hill is Heathrow Airport (LHR). From there you can either travel by Underground or train into Notting Hill
and Central London. By train, take Elizabeth Line
or the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, (recommended route when carrying baggage) take a taxi
or Uber directly to the flat. Or change at Paddington to the Underground Hammersmith (Ham & City Line) Circle line or Hammersmith & City line to Ladbroke Grove (apprx 47 mins)
By Underground: take the Piccadilly Line all the way to Hammersmith (Dist&Picc Line) change to Hammersmith (Ham & City Line) Circle line or
Hammersmith & City line to Ladbroke Grove (Apprx 45 mins)
Additional Info and Links
Here are some links to additional articles in case you'd like more info.