Portobello Market

Portobello Market Review

London's most famous market still wins the prize (according to some) for the all-round best, stretching almost two miles from fashionable Notting Hill to the lively cultural melting pot of North Kensington, changing character as it goes.

The southern end, starting at Chepstow Villas, is lined with shops, stalls, and arcades selling antiques, silver, and bric-a-brac on Saturday; the middle, above Westbourne Grove, is devoted on weekdays to fruit and veg, interspersed with excellent hot food stalls; On Friday and Saturday, the area between Talbot Road and the elevated highway (called the Westway) becomes more of a flea market specializing in household and mass-produced goods sold at a discount, while north of the Westway are more stalls selling even cheaper household goods. Scattered throughout but mostly concentrated under the Westway are clothing stalls—everything from vintage to emerging designers, custom T-shirts and super-cool baby clothes, plus jewelry. As well, new and established designers are found in the boutiques of the Portobello Green Arcade.

Some say Portobello Road has become a tourist trap, but if you acknowledge that it's a circus and get into the spirit, it's a lot of fun. Perhaps you won't find many bargains, but this is such a fascinating part of town that just hanging out is a good enough excuse to come. There are some food and flower stalls throughout the week (try the Hummingbird Bakery for delicious cupcakes) but Saturday is when the market in full swing. Serious shoppers avoid the crowds and go on Friday morning. Bring cash (several vendors don't take credit cards) but keep an eye on it.