Portobello Market

Portobello Market Review

London's most famous market still wins the prize (according to some) for the all-round best. It sits in the lively, cultural melting pot of Notting Hill; the 1,500 antiques dealers here don't rip you off (although you should haggle where you can); and it stretches over a mile, changing character completely as it goes.

The southern end, starting at Chepstow Villas, is lined with antiques shops and arcades; the middle, above Elgin Crescent, is where locals buy fruit and veg. This middle area was the setting for the lovely sequence in the movie Notting Hill where Hugh Grant walks through the market as the seasons change. The section nearest the elevated highway (called the Westway) has one of the best flea markets in town, with vintage-clothing stores along the edges. Here, young designers sell their wares in and around the Portobello Green arcade. After that, the market trails off into a giant rummage sale of the kinds of cheap household goods the British call tat.

Some say Portobello Road has become a bit of 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 really the only day to see the market in full swing.