My Favourite Day Out - Notting Hill

What's not to love?

Notting Hill is a neighborhood located in Western London. It is perhaps best known for the Carnival, Portobello Market and its colorful facades that define the are. Of course, I could not tell you about this part of London without mentioning the Notting Hill in which Hugh Grant and Julia Robers the most of the scenery here. The area owes a small debt to the film that really on the tourist map.
To get their the most important place remember is notting Hill Gate tube where the Central, circle and District lines stop. Holland Park, Bayswater and Ladbroke Grove are other possible stations to the area. Bus lines 7, 12, 23, 27, 28, 31, 70, 94 and 328 are the most convenient to reach the neighborhood.
Notting Hill a picturesque, highly instagram-worthy and cultural district and you will find activities and places suitable for everyone. The most impressive and luxurious streets are Blenheim Crescent and Ladbroke Grove where you can admire typical Victorian architecture prevalent of London 200 years ago. The buildings that attract the most attention in the area are certainly the houses colorfully decorated by all the colours of the rainbow.

The ‘one and only Nothing Hill carnival
The notting hill carnival is a date not to missed. The carnival takes place in the last weekend of August and the following Monday (always a bank a holiday) is a party time. ‘Carnival’ explodes out onto the streets of the neighborhood accompanied by stands of Caribbean cuisine serenaded by Latin music and parades. The main parade takes place on Mondays.

The ‘must-visit’ Portobello Road market
It is a very well known market of locals where you have to go if you visit the neighborhood. It has been here in Notting Hill since 1837 and you will find mostly antiques. The shops are open all week but it's Saturday that the traders invade the street to cause a festival market.

Colour coded houses
As I have already mentioned, the colour facades are one of the main attractions and if you like architecture just stroll around the area. If you are a fan of the famous flick then you need to go to 280, Westbourne Park Road, and look for the blue door where Julia Roberts and Hugh grant took refuge to escape the paparazzis. You can also visit the famous bookstore the Notting Hill bookshop. Another famous House in the area is 22 of Portobello Road none other than the former abode of George Orwell. A blue-coloured commemorative plaque hangs on the wall.
Green Space
Notting Hill is rich source of green spaces and parks where you can walk, run, jump. Near Portobello you will find one of the largest parks in London: Kensington Gardens. They are the former private gardens of Kensington Palace and cover more than 100 hectares. The Serpentine Gallery, a modern art gallery, is located inside the Park. Another known Park in the area is Holland Park where you can stroll quietly and admire its Japanese garden.
Galleries and museums
The most popular museum in Notting Hill is probably the Museum of brands, packaging and advertising and contains over 12 000 articles tracing the evolution of consumer society. The area hosts many small, independent art galleries like the Beverley Knowles fine art or Graffik. The Temple Gallery is another one that specializes in religious iconography if you are faeling that way inclined . lastly the Bankrobber Gallery is well worth a visit if you like a bit of unique art.

Culture and entertainment
The Jewel in the’ performance’ crown of is the Gate Theatre which, in addition to being and is globally recognized for the growing number talented youngsters in the theatre that it promotes. The Print Room offers a fantastic combination of performance arts and has won a lot of prizes. If your taste is more comedy, literature and music then you should go and check out a the Tabernacle a bar and a theatre in one.

Anthony Raux

TripTide User