Eight Reasons To Visit Notting Hill This Summer
Ever since it was used as the location for the eponymous 90s blockbuster, Notting Hill has marked itself on the London map as an exclusive and desirable location to visit and live. Having seen a gentrification of the surrounding areas of Ladbroke Grove and Golborne, the district is also home to the world-famous Portobello Market. But way before Julia and Hugh drew attention to this area of west London it was establishing itself as a fashion-forward, exciting community filled with pioneering and innovative attractions. Many of these still exist, and more are emerging. So here’s our Eight Top Reasons to visit Notting Hill in 2018:
Rough Trade Records – This iconic record shop in Ladbroke Grove opened its doors in 1976 and gave game-changing bands including The Fall, The Smiths and Scritti Politti their first entry routes into the music business. Now an international label, Rough Trade Records – which also boasts The Strokes, Libertines and Antony and the Johnsons on its portfolio – still operates as a record shop on its original site and is enjoying a resurgence in the popularity of vinyl.
Portobello Road market – Portobello Road is home to the world’s largest antiques market, with more than 1,000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectible you can imagine. Visitors flock from all over the world to discover one of London’s best loved landmarks which contains the most extensive selection of antiques in Britain.
Graffik Gallery – Graffik Gallery was the first street art gallery in West London and the first to bring graffiti workshops to the world. The gallery has a reputation for being the capitals prime street art destination and has carved a master status in the movements and trends of the urban art genre. Industry-recognised Banksy specialists, with a continuous inventory of the most recent or sought after works staples, Graffik is the go-to gallery for urban art. On display you can view works by Banksy, Dotmaster, Stik, Alec Monopoly, Clet and Robin Coleman. Private viewings can be arranged for secondary market works from Warhol to Basquiat. And this isn’t just a place for the professionals, they regularly open up their doors to the art world by offering tailored graffiti workshop events which allow anyone to submerge themselves in this amazing culture.
Portobello Star – This historic venue has been operating as a bar since the 1700s and has served everyone from vagrants to royalty in its time. Now home to an upmarket cocktail bar, the stripped back townhouse serves up west London’s most exciting menu of handmade liquor and craft beers in an edgy and instantly instagrammable space. Regular cocktail masterclasses are held, and upstairs in The Apartment you can often spot a famous face hosting a private Apartment Party or launching their latest book, film or album.
Biscuiteers Boutique – The Notting Hill Icing Café in Kensington Park Road hosts themed icing classes and workshops teaching piping and decorating techniques, and sells the finest selection of sweet treats in the Capital.
That Front Door – Romantic comedy Notting Hill came out in 1999 and put the area, and in particular one blue front door, firmly on the map. Also featuring the famous Notting Hill Bookshop, the film is the subject of many Movie Tours of London. Take a Notting Hill Film Tour and see some of the famous locations that were integral to the film, as well as learning about the history of the area.
Carnival – Every August Bank Holiday millions of people celebrate Europe’s biggest street festival – the the Notting Hill Carnival. Bringing a taste of the Caribbean to west London, the three-day event opens with a huge parade of floats and performers filling the streets. With a rainbow of colourfully costumed dancers, steel bands, marching bands, Calypso music and market stalls selling mouth-watering food, carnival really has to be experienced to be believed.
Electric cinema – One of the oldest cinemas in the country, the Electric Cinema on Portobello Road has been open since the turn of the last century. A beautifully restored Edwardian picture house, 65 lounge chairs with footrest and side tables offer an unparalleled cinema experience. There are also three two-seater sofas at the rear, and even six double beds in the front row, complete with cashmere blankets, for a truly romantic night at the movies.
