Notting Hill Hype - Should I Go?
May 22nd, 2004, 12:11 AM
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Notting Hill Hype - Should I Go?
Hello, this is such a helpful site! I'm heading off To London for just 3 days and am planning on using my first jetlagged day to wander around kensington where i am staying and walking up to notting hill. however, am i wrong in thinking notting hill is going to have a lot on on a thursday in july? or is it just a suburb with town houses and only a few shops for the locals that only gets busy for tourists on the weekends or during festivals? id love to hear your opinions! thanks!
May 22nd, 2004, 06:51 AM
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It's only small, walk around there, if you don't like it you've lost nothing.
A "cruise" to Greenwich, how naff!
If you want a proper walk: Along Kensington Gore, cross through on to the Brompton Road, browse Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
A "cruise" to Greenwich, how naff!
If you want a proper walk: Along Kensington Gore, cross through on to the Brompton Road, browse Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
May 22nd, 2004, 01:05 PM
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For the first, jet-lagged day, a wander in Kensington Gardens/ Hyde Park might be a bit more relaxing than the big shops in Brompton Road. If you feel like carrying on to Notting Hill, it would at least offer somewhere to sit and have a cup of something cheering, and a chance to buy whatever essential you might have forgotten to pack: but so would lots of other places.
And for someone who was denouncing people for vulgarity in another thread to recommend browsing Harrods...!
And for someone who was denouncing people for vulgarity in another thread to recommend browsing Harrods...!
May 22nd, 2004, 01:28 PM
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Check this out but: I think most of the Portobelo Road shops (vs outdoor stalls) are open on other days, not just Saturday.
If you are a shopper - there are great vintage clothing shops up Portobello Road, near and under the Westway (think that is name of it). Take a look at the Time Out shopping guide to London.
If you are a shopper - there are great vintage clothing shops up Portobello Road, near and under the Westway (think that is name of it). Take a look at the Time Out shopping guide to London.
May 22nd, 2004, 01:44 PM
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While you're wandering around Kensington, why not check out the Kensington Rooftop Gardens. It's free and a nice "walk in the park." 
It's a little difficult to find - turn right out of the High Street Kens. tube station, turn right on Derry (the first street you come to). The gardens are at the top of the building with the black awning. There is no sign outside, but go inside, sign in at the reception desk and take the elevator up to the gardens.
Here's the website: www.roofgardens.com
It's a little difficult to find - turn right out of the High Street Kens. tube station, turn right on Derry (the first street you come to). The gardens are at the top of the building with the black awning. There is no sign outside, but go inside, sign in at the reception desk and take the elevator up to the gardens.
Here's the website: www.roofgardens.com
May 22nd, 2004, 01:51 PM
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>>Harrods' Egyptian bits are vulgar, but their buyers for fasion and personal shopping service are second to none.<<
But how many tourists have need of these services? With the weak US dollar, not a lot of US tourists are going to London for the shopping.
But how many tourists have need of these services? With the weak US dollar, not a lot of US tourists are going to London for the shopping.
May 22nd, 2004, 02:10 PM
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<<I wouldn't have thought Americans would mind vulgar at all, they might even be attracted by it. Harrods has so many designers one is unable to find in America, they are even better than Harvey Nichols now that they have a new more dynamic buying team.>>
I'm sure the buyers at Harrods are very fine, indeed. But not all of us vulgar Americans are all that impressed with designer fashion. We can actually find perfectly acceptable clothing here in the States.
I'm sure the buyers at Harrods are very fine, indeed. But not all of us vulgar Americans are all that impressed with designer fashion. We can actually find perfectly acceptable clothing here in the States.
May 22nd, 2004, 03:42 PM
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m_kingdom2 -- why is it you so much enjoy turning legitimate threads into really STUPID spitting matches about nothing of consequence? Do you just like seeing your name multiple times in so many threads?
Instead of making an a** of yourself, try being helpful -- OK?
As for your question kattyfever: There is absolutely nothing wrong with Notting Hill. But with a mere 3 days in London you could find other more enjoyable parts of London to stroll through. South Kens and the parks of course would be good. But instead think about a walk along the Victoria Embankment, across the Millenium or Hungerford foot bridge and then a walk along the Jubilee walk on the South Bank. Beautiful river views, nice places to stop for a pint, the Londin Eye, etc.
Or go up to Regent's Park and walk through the rose gardens and around the lake.
Instead of making an a** of yourself, try being helpful -- OK?
As for your question kattyfever: There is absolutely nothing wrong with Notting Hill. But with a mere 3 days in London you could find other more enjoyable parts of London to stroll through. South Kens and the parks of course would be good. But instead think about a walk along the Victoria Embankment, across the Millenium or Hungerford foot bridge and then a walk along the Jubilee walk on the South Bank. Beautiful river views, nice places to stop for a pint, the Londin Eye, etc.
Or go up to Regent's Park and walk through the rose gardens and around the lake.
May 22nd, 2004, 04:37 PM
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If it's a really interesting, buzzing, ethnic market you want, try Camden Town on a Saturday (or is it Sunday?).
If it's an interesting suburban walk that you're after, take the underground to Archway, walk up Highgate Hill, across to Hampstead and down through historic and interesting Highgate Cemetary, then across Hampstead Heath, to finish up returning "home" from Hampstead Underground. A good end-of-walk watering hole is Hampstead's Flask Inn, if that's the sort of thing that takes your fancy.
If it's an interesting suburban walk that you're after, take the underground to Archway, walk up Highgate Hill, across to Hampstead and down through historic and interesting Highgate Cemetary, then across Hampstead Heath, to finish up returning "home" from Hampstead Underground. A good end-of-walk watering hole is Hampstead's Flask Inn, if that's the sort of thing that takes your fancy.
May 22nd, 2004, 06:31 PM
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Janis
A walk along Victoria Embankment and the Jubilee walk on the South Bank. A walk through Regents Park. You have touched on a couple of my favorite things to do in London - now I am missing it even more!
Kattyfever - I enjoyed walking around Notting Hill. The Travel Bookstore 13-15 Blenhem Crescent which was the inspiration for the Julia Roberts movie is a nice little bookstore. While it pales in comparison to Stanford's, it has a lot of nice travel titles. When I am not traveling, I am reading about it- keeps me going until the next trip.
A walk along Victoria Embankment and the Jubilee walk on the South Bank. A walk through Regents Park. You have touched on a couple of my favorite things to do in London - now I am missing it even more!
Kattyfever - I enjoyed walking around Notting Hill. The Travel Bookstore 13-15 Blenhem Crescent which was the inspiration for the Julia Roberts movie is a nice little bookstore. While it pales in comparison to Stanford's, it has a lot of nice travel titles. When I am not traveling, I am reading about it- keeps me going until the next trip.
May 24th, 2004, 05:37 AM
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Kattyfever,
Naff is tacky not cool etc. Nottinghill is not a must do but fine for a stroll. You can do this and see the Portabello market afterwards. I go every chance I get and usually find some thing interesting. It's better if you like antiques or unusual items. If nothing it has a great busy vibe on Saturdays.
Naff is tacky not cool etc. Nottinghill is not a must do but fine for a stroll. You can do this and see the Portabello market afterwards. I go every chance I get and usually find some thing interesting. It's better if you like antiques or unusual items. If nothing it has a great busy vibe on Saturdays.
May 24th, 2004, 06:38 AM
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I think Notting Hill is worth a stroll. The architecture is beautiful and there are a few antique shops, vintage clothing stores and cafes. Portobello Market on Saturdays is a tourist trap, but still not so bad. It's atmospheric. Seems to me that there's a person on this thread who defines "vulgar" perfectly.
May 27th, 2004, 11:09 AM
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I think its a good idea- actually my husband and I did the same thing last August (during the heat wave). We stayed at the Plaza Hyde Park (just off Kensington Gardens) and walked to Notting Hill and Portobella Mkt our first day. Its a hike, but very pleasant and its a nice relaxing way to spend the first day.
Portobella market has lots of interesting stuff, although my husband became a little annoyed with the crowd- its a small street with lots of people.
Portobella market has lots of interesting stuff, although my husband became a little annoyed with the crowd- its a small street with lots of people.
