Notting Hill is one of the most popular areas of London for locals and visitors alike. At its heart is the world-famous Portobello Road market, which at weekends throngs with tourists and bargain-hunting locals. Aside from the food market at the northern end of Portobello, the road is laden with antiques and bric-a-brac shops and stalls to the south. Notting Hill boasts dozens of cool (and costly) bars and restaurants many centred around the Portobello Road area. Each August Bank Holiday (last weekend in August) the area plays host to the largest street party in Europe; the Notting Hill Carnival.
Traditionally home to a diverse population of incomers from the Caribbean and Portugal, in recent years it has been increasingly gentrifying with well-heeled bankers driving up house prices beyond the reach of locals. The 1999 film ‘Notting Hill’ starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant did much to boost the district’s allure. Fortunately, the budget-conscious traveller can still find a few moderately priced small hotels
Close by is Paddington train station with quick access to and from London Heathrow Airport, via the frequent Heathrow Express rail service.
