Great travel stories start with "I bought this in....". If you love shopping for antiques and vintage items, don't miss one of London’s quaintest and oldest markets, Portobello Road Market. Even if you have only have one afternoon or a few hours free between meetings, spend them strolling through the darling shops, browsing the stalls that have been passed down through generations, and reveling in a truly London experience.
For Travelers Who Like: Vintage, antiques, history, exploring.
Where to Go: The nearest Tube stations are Ladbroke Grove on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. Or Notting Hill Gate on the Circle, District and Central lines. Check their website for market hours.
What Makes It Special: The Portobello Road Market is located in the trendy neighborhood of Notting Hill. The name came from the name of the farm, Porto Bello, that was built on that site in 1740. Originally Portobello Road Market started as a place for farmers to sell food and produce. In 1940's the market started selling antiques, making it one of the oldest vintage markets in the world.
In addition to being one of the oldest vintage markets in the world, it's is also probably the world's largest and most renowned antique market with over 1,000 dealers. It is also a true representation of just how rich and multicultural London has become. You’ll find a mix of antique shops selling incredible furniture and stalls selling wild handmade clothing. There truly is a bit of everything, which is what makes it so special. There are five sections of the market, food, household essentials, secondhand goods, vintage clothing, and antiques, and Saturday is the only day that all of them are open.
This vibrant market is in one of the trendiest, hippie neighborhoods in London. Though the area has a distinctly bohemian vibe to it, it is one of the most expensive zip codes in all of London, made popular by celebrities like Jude Law and Sienna Miller.
Must Try: If you have a sweet tooth and are craving a little treat, The Hummingbird Bakery is our absolute favorite spot for a cupcake and proper cup of tea. This charming Notting Hill outpost is bright and cheery – if you leave without trying at least three cakes you have more willpower than we dos! For a healthier snack, try Granger & Co., one of the most popular healthy food restaurants in London. Run by a team of three Australians, everything on the menu is light and fresh. Our favorite is definitely the avocado toast.
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If you're in London on business and happen to find yourself with a spare afternoon, we recommend taking a stroll through Notting Hill. If you love beautiful architecture and Instagram-worthy moments, you'll enjoy the famous colorful doors and seeing the site of the romantic film that bears the same name.
