{"id":13869,"date":"2013-12-02T09:41:19","date_gmt":"2013-12-02T13:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=13869"},"modified":"2013-12-02T09:41:19","modified_gmt":"2013-12-02T13:41:19","slug":"live-like-local-notting-hill-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/02\/live-like-local-notting-hill-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Like A Local in Notting Hill, London"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13870\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/notting-hill-london-colorful-house-facades.jpg\" alt=\"Explore London\u2019s Notting Hill\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>Discover Notting Hill in London<\/div>\n<\/div>Colorful houses, a strikingly blue door, a bustling snow-topped antique market: these images will forever be linked to London\u2019s neighborhood Notting Hill because of the famous 1999 movie bearing the same name. Surprisingly, the neighborhood isn&#8217;t so different from the picture painted in Notting Hill. Well-known for its Saturday market among both visitors and Londoners, the largely residential neighborhood boasts beautiful secluded gardens and impressive Victorian townhouses. It\u2019s one of the most sought after areas to live in London, and a wonderful neighborhood to stay in during a visit to the city!<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mapsengine.google.com\/map\/embed?mid=zHap3VP2vDcM.kJ7BhE5QVk9U\" width=\"585\" height=\"400\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Welcome to Notting Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Notting Hill is located to the northwest of Kensington Gardens. It\u2019s roughly bordered by Westway to the north, Inverness Terrace to the east, Notting Hill Gate to the south, and West Cross Route to the west. Ladbroke Grove, Kensington Park Road, Westbourne Grove, and, of course, Portobello Road, are all central streets in the neighborhood. The area is serviced by several London Underground lines, and Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park and Bayswater are its most important stations. While the neighborhood wasn\u2019t fashionable until the 1980s, it\u2019s now an affluent area with many great shops and restaurants. It\u2019s still best known for two things: the annual Notting Hill Carnival and the weekly Portobello Road Market.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll show you the best spots of the neighborhood, and give you a peek into what it\u2019s like to live like a local in Notting Hill!<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Go Shopping in Notting Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13872\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/notting-hill-london-portobello-road-market.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of Notting Hill\u2019s famous Portobello Road Market\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>The famous Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill<\/div>\n<\/div>Besides the neighborhood\u2019s most famous open market, Portobello Road, there are several other great shopping streets in the area, such as Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater Road. From bookstores and antiques to fashionable designer shops, this London neighborhood has lots to offer!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To start with the most famous of them all: the<strong> Portobello Road Market<\/strong> is an absolute must-see when you visit Notting Hill. Saturday is the busiest day of the market, and this is when you\u2019ll find antique stalls all over Portobello Road. The market is almost one kilometer (0.6 miles) long, so you\u2019ll be sure to find a unique gift or souvenir!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Although the famous Notting Hill Travel Bookshop has unfortunately now closed, there are two other great bookstores in the area. <strong>Books for Cooks<\/strong> on Blenheim Crescent is an amazing bookstore\/caf\u00e9\/cooking workshop with an enormous selection of cookbooks. If your heart is set on visiting a travel bookstore, head to <strong>Daunt Books<\/strong> on Holland Park Avenue. This lovely little bookshop has a great selection of travel books.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>If you prefer music to books, head to <strong>Rough Trade<\/strong> on Talbot Road. This wonderful record store has a great selection of independent music. <strong>Honest Jon\u2019s<\/strong> on Portobello Road is another great record store, specializing in Jazz, Soul and Reggae.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>When it comes to fashion, Notting Hill has great independent boutiques such as <strong>Aim\u00e9<\/strong> (French designers) on Ledbury Road and<strong> The Merchant<\/strong> (high-end brands) on Westbourne Grove.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\u00a0<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13871\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/notting-hill-london-modern-westfield-mall-shopping-center.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the Westfield Shopping Centre in London\" width=\"585\" height=\"432\" \/>\n\t<div>The modern Westfield Shopping Centre near Notting Hill, London<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>If you\u2019re looking for fashion chain stores, head to the<strong> Westfield Shopping Centre<\/strong> on Ariel Way just west of West Cross Route. This spacious mall boasts fashion stores such as Burberry, Boots, Gucci and Miu Miu, as well as an Apple Store and a Disney Store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To get a sense of what it\u2019s like to walk the streets of Notting Hill and the surrounding area, have a look at our <a title=\"London Video Tour: Kensington &amp; Chelsea\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/12\/26\/london-video-tour-kensington-chelsea\/\">Video Tour of Kensington &amp; Chelsea<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Notting Hill Cafes, Restaurants &amp; Pubs\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From cozy coffee shops to a Michelin-starred restaurant, Notting Hill is full of surprises! The following are some of our favorite culinary establishments in the area.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cafes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13875\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/notting-hill-london-cafe-diana-coffee-shop.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of Notting Hill\u2019s Caf\u00e9 Diana\" width=\"585\" height=\"429\" \/>\n\t<div>Caf\u00e9 Diana is one of the many great cafes in Notting Hill<\/div>\n<\/div>Coffee Plant is a cozy caf\u00e9 on Portobello Road with a great selection of organic coffee and tea. Tea\u2019s Me on Ladbroke Grove has a nice selection of teas and serves great breakfast. Caf\u00e9 Diana on Wellington Terrace is another great place for breakfast. Caffe Respiro on Kensington Park Road is a nice Italian caf\u00e9 with some delectable lunch options. Ottolenghi on Ledbury Road is a lovely bistro\/bakery with amazing cakes and pastries. Talkhouse Coffee is a new coffee shop on Portobello Road and serves some great espresso.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Restaurants<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Ledbury is the pride of Notting Hill\u2019s culinary scene. The restaurant on Ledbury Road offers impeccably prepared Modern European cuisine, and was awarded with two Michelin stars. Do be aware that you have to reserve a table at least a month in advance. For a more affordable alternative on the same street, head to Walmer Castle: an English pub that serves delicious Thai food. Osteria Basilico is a fantastic Italian restaurant located on Kensington Park Road. Do make reservations well in advance! If you\u2019re looking for some of the best fish &amp; chips in town, head to Geales on Farmer Street.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pubs &amp; Bars\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13873\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/notting-hill-london-sun-splendour-british-pub.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the  Sun in Spendour pub in Notting Hill\" width=\"585\" height=\"388\" \/>\n\t<div>The rustic Sun in Spendour pub in Notting Hill<\/div>\n<\/div>Like many of London\u2019s popular neighborhoods, Notting Hill isn\u2019t short on pubs. Sun in Splendour on Portobello Road is a lovely traditional pub with a nice quaint garden out back. Further down the street, Portobello Star is a popular bar that serves some potent cocktails. The Hillgate on Hillgate Street is another nice pub with a real fireplace to enjoy when it gets cold. Ladbroke Arms on Ladbroke Road is a fantastic pub that serves great food, and the menu changes daily. Lastly, The Castle on Holland Park Avenue is another cozy pub with a wonderful selection of draft beers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Live Like a Local in Notting Hill\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re coming to London on holiday, Notting Hill is a fantastic community from which area to start your London adventure. By staying in a <a title=\"Notting Hill Vacation Rentals\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/london-apartment\/vacation\/notting-hill\">vacation rental apartment in Notting Hill<\/a> you\u2019ll be close to the famous market, as well as many wonderful shops, pubs and restaurants. Because of the many London Underground stations in the area you also have great access to other neighborhoods in the city!<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re coming to London for a longer period, and really want to experience what it\u2019s like to live in London like a local, have a look at our <a title=\"Notting Hill London Furnished Apartments\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/london-apartment\/furnished\/notting-hill\">furnished apartments in Notting Hill<\/a>. Many of these are located in those beautiful Victorian townhouses, so your stay in the city will be in style!<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, also have a look at our <a title=\"London Corporate Housing And Relocation Services\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/corporate-relocation-london\/\">corporate housing and relocation services<\/a>. Our agents can assist you in finding the perfect apartment, whether that is in Notting Hill or anywhere else in London!<\/p>\n<p><strong>What to See &amp; Do in Notting Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13874\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/notting-hill-london-arts-center-tabernacle.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of Notting Hill\u2019s the Tabernacle \" width=\"585\" height=\"395\" \/>\n\t<div>The cultural arts center The Tabernacle in Notting Hill<\/div>\n<\/div>Notting Hill is a wonderful neighborhood to explore. When you\u2019ve seen the movie, you\u2019ll definitely want to check out <strong>280 Westbourne Park Road<\/strong>. Here you\u2019ll encounter the famous blue door behind which Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts\u2019 characters hid from the paparazzi. The interior is completely different from the set used in the film, but the house was actually the home of the movie\u2019s screenwriter Richard Curtis.<\/p>\n<p>Another famous house in the area is the <strong>former home of George Orwell<\/strong> on Portobello Road. The famous author of Animal Farm and 1984 lived in Notting Hill for many years. You can recognize the house on Portobello Road between Chepstow Villas and Pembridge Road by the blue plaque on the fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the private garden which also played a big part in the film Notting Hill is in fact that, private. However, there are several other lovely gardens that you are allowed to enter in the neighborhood. <strong>Ladbroke Square Garden<\/strong> is the largest of the communal gardens in this area, and although it is considered a private garden you can easily get a peep in from the road surrounding it. Luckily, nearby <strong>Kensington Gardens<\/strong> is open to the public. This beautiful Royal Park is a wonderful place for a picnic. In the park you\u2019ll also find the royal residence Kensington Palace. For more information about Kensington Palace, see <a title=\"Kensington Palace, the historic future home of William and Kate\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/05\/kensington-palace-home-william-kate\/\">Discover Kensington Palace<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Another beautiful landmark in the neighborhood is <strong>The Tabernacle<\/strong>. This historic building was built in 1887 as a church, but was turned into a cultural arts center in the 1970s. The venue now includes a theater, pub and a beautiful garden courtyard. For a real church, head to the serene St John\u2019s Church on Ladbroke Grove. There are also many local galleries to be found in the area, such as <strong>Salon Contemporary<\/strong> and <strong>Graffik<\/strong>. The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is a wonderful museum on consumer culture in Colville Mews.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, if you\u2019re in London in August, you should definitely check out the colorful<strong> Notting Hill Carnival<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<p>We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed this introduction to Notting Hill in London! What\u2019s your favorite movie location?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colorful houses, a strikingly blue door, a bustling snow-topped antique market: these images will forever be linked to London\u2019s neighborhood Notting Hill because of the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[120],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13869"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13869"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13992,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13869\/revisions\/13992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}