I saw some photo of the neighbourhood and I found it nice, I'd gladly see it. It's not on the top of my list, but if we have time it would be nice to do a quick visit.

If that is what you want to do then go for it.

I just don't find it convenient to get to from most places in London, so to do a quick visit sounds usually easier than it is.

If you want to do it then make sure you plan your days around your transit so you don't waste valuable time trekking back and forth across London. You want to be as efficient as you can so you have more time for enjoying yourself!

"so to do a quick visit sounds usually easier than it is."

So true. I just googled it on Google Maps and I saw that is about at 30/40 minutes of tube from the center... so it went right on the bottom of my list.
Thanks!

If you have other suggestions (where to eat, peculiars shops, special places unknown to most tourist, etc) I'm happy to hear them!

We really like the area called Shoreditch by Liverpool Street. There is Spitalfields market and lots of fun, independent shops and restaurants. Closer to Brick Lane it gets a bit edgy (not in a bad way, just cool graffiti etc - in fact you can get tours of this 'art') http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/

The market gets busy on the weekends but the streets around it are fun. The market can be a bit touristy but locals hang out there too. This area is one of the 'hipster' areas of London.

If you walk north as well there are lots of funky bars and eating places on Shoreditch High Street and west of there in Hoxton Square. There are much less tourists in these areas - in fact you can get into pretty much any bar or restaurant easily during the afternoon and early evening.

Have fun!

Thank you!!!

"Christmas lights: Oxford St and Regent St are the ones everyone goes to see, but they don't always live up to expectations"

We were in London at Christmastime in 2010 and it was wonderful. Yes, we were disappointed in the Oxford and Regent Street lights but Carnaby Street that year had gorgeous light -- planets, stars, moons!

I don't mind crowds at all and for me it just adds to the excitement of being in a big city. I'm not sure you're going to be able to avoid them in London at Christmas but just abandon all hope and throw yourself wholeheartedly into it.

Spitalfields is my favourite market and may be better for you because it's indoors so you won't have to contend with weather concerns as you would at Notting Hill.

This is my favourite London markets map. Not only does it show the location, days and hours but also gives you some idea of what you can expect there.

http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm

@goddesstogo: Thank you for the map, it's perfect!

About the crowds, of course that a city is better with people on its streets, but in moderation.
If there are a lot of people it's okay, but I don't like the situations when you're in a street that's full of people, but so full that you can't move and watch anything, and everyone are pushing you.
We survived in NYC at Christmas, so I don't think we'll have problems in London, but the question was "Why going at Portobello Road if we aren't interested to vintage? Just because it's famous? It's quite far and full of people, so maybe doesn't worth it, there are a lot of other markets that could interest us more."

Btw, I'm reading online that apparently this winter will be the coldest ever, here in Italy... Let's hope that this forecast will not become true, or at least don't involve England! LOL

Annina will be there early December - not school-holiday time. Portobello Road is fine if you go at 9 on a Saturday. On Fridays it's less busy, though not all stalls are up.
There are tourist crap stands, but also plenty of antique and other shops. And the Hummingbird Bakery. If you find it's too busy, go to Westbourne Grove, Kensington Park Road, Ledbury Road; lovely shopping streets without the crowds.

Another street that was lovely last Christmas is Mount Street. It's a very expensive shopping street, just south of Oxford Street. No crowds. Nice to walk through, windowshopping.

Crowds are pretty bad on Oxford Street in December, particularly at the weekends.

Nobody can predict the weather that far in advance - just disregard that report, Annina!

"Nobody can predict the weather that far in advance - just disregard that report, Annina!"

yep.

What you will find is the BBC have a 7 day forecast on their webpage and that is normally pretty good. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/ just stick it on your phone

We arrive in London for noon on saturday 2 december and we leave on friday morning at 6.50, se we haven't a saturday or friday available on our vacation!
Noted all the "good streets without crowd", thanks!