We'll be in London in April for a few days, and I'd really like to spend some time at Portobello Road. I'm not really shopping for high-end antiques, just little trinkets and maybe small furniture -- anything that catches my eye but doesn't leave me financially wounded. So, is Portobello Road worth the hype? It sounds great, though I'm leary of stall-keepers hawking overpriced junk to tourists. If you've been, please toss me some insight about this. Thanks very much!

It is nice to go visit but I don't think you'll find many bargains there. There are nice things and the price dictates so. I haven't been there in a year, things may be different now. I've visited some terrific areas with antiquities in London that I found in Fodor's travel books (unfortunately I don't remember the names). That may be another suggestion. Have a great time!

hi,<BR><BR>I disagree. I found a really pretty cameo for my mother and quite a few pieces of jewelry and had a blast. what i love is the diversity of the items. I would recommend listening to everyone and going early. we got there about 9am and left by 12. the crowd was fine until about 11am. as we were leaving you were shoulder to shoulder with people walking up and down the street and i was really getting nervous about pic pockets at that point.<BR><BR>we just came back from london in october and I would recommend this over many other "street markets". of course there is always junk but that is part of the fun. one of the other places you might want to try is the artist showing on bayswater on sunday. independent artists line the road at hyde park. found some wonderful art.<BR><BR>sandy c

This is definetely high end shopping...so is Bond street...but if you like designer stuff these are the places to go but as previous posters noted do not expect any big bargains...financially wounded is a relative term...I routinely spend 300.00 on shoes so we all have our own ideas of what that means..PS yes, my husband thinks that is ridiculous for shoes but I am a professional career gal and this stuff costs money...

We always have great fun at Portobello..but we know what we are looking for and where to find it. There are some wonderful dealers at the inside stalls. And you never know when you might spot a treasure amid the junque outside! <BR>For a slightly less confusing and crowded experience, check to see if there are any antique fairs at hotels on Sundays. Quality merchandise at fairly good prices and you can bargain a little. try www.antiques-web.co.uk for a schedule <BR><BR>And 9 AM is the very latest I would get there if you go to PR.

I'm chiming in to agree with Jody. We plan our trips to arrive in London on Friday so we can be up early and at Portabello Road by 7:30 Saturday morning. There are things in every price range and, the fun part, things I just don't see in other places--something for everyone. <BR>Jody, do you remember the name of the place on the left side of the street that has light blue paint on the outside and, once inside it's a two-story mall of stalls with a little coffee bar and seating on the lower level? Erin, if Jody can remember the name, look for it--it has a great range of dealers and can keep you busy for a long time!

I took my first trip to London a couple of years ago. Portobello Road was something I really enjoyed. The experience was something I'm glad I didn't miss. I found a lovely velvet dress, and it has been my favorite keepsake. I do remember a cute vintage re-sale clothing shop. I wasn't looking for high-end antiques either. Cheap idea: there is a little food market/grocery store. They sell Ahmad tea. They come in the most adorable tins with English paintings. Also, cute paper cottages/red double-decker buses, with candy inside. They are small enough to fit in your baggage, not too heavy and a piece of England that your friends might appreciate. <BR><BR>Another great suggestion(unrelated):<BR>Go to Fortnum & Mason Bakery Section, buy the huge meringues(about the size of lump of mashed potatoes). Smuggle them into a "Spaghetti House" Restaurant(they won't really mind). Order the neopolitan ice cream and crumble the meringue on top--absolutely heavenly. We really enjoyed the "Spaghetti House" Restaurant's wine and food, too. Seemed like the one we went to was near a Marriott or nice hotel; Selfridges Area.<BR><BR>Enjoy!

If you love flea markets, Go!!<BR>There was another place, some other poster can help me out here, called Camden passage?<BR>If in Provence, don't miss the Sunday one along the canels of L'ile sur la Sorge.