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Portobello Road is one of the most famous streets in London. Located in the Notting Hill neighbourhood, this road plays host to one of the largest street markets in the city, as well as a wide variety of specialty and boutique stores.

The Portobello Road Market runs all week, but the biggest day for antiques, second-hand clothing, and specialty stands is Saturday, which also tends to draw the biggest crowds.

 

A Quick Guide to Portobello Road in London

Until the early 1940s, the market on Portobello Road mainly sold fruit, vegetables and other food items, although some traders also sold essential household items. The market started to change in the mid-1940s due to an influx of “rag and bone” men reselling second hand items, including general bric-a-brac and antique items. 

During the mid-1980s, the character of Portobello Road began to change due to increased investment in the area, transforming Portobello Road from a working class district into a fashionable and affluent area. 

Today, the market is best known for its wide selection of antiques, food products and clothing for all budgets. Portobello Road Market is now home to the largest and most extensive collection of sellers and wares in the UK. 

 

 

Famous for its half-mile-long antiques market, the street is transformed every Saturday into a glittering arcade. There’s something here for everyone, from fancy (and expensive) antiques to more interesting bargains and novelty items. 

Although the Portobello Road Market is technically only held on a Saturday, Portobello Road is open 365 days a year. Therefore, there’s always a curiosity to be found, or a tasty treat to be tasted.

 

There isn’t a market in London that doesn’t get busy over the weekend so I knew before I arrived that Portobello Road would be crowded. However, the trick is to arrive early (whilst the stalls are setting up) and have a bit of a walk around, find a café to people watch from, then pop back out and enjoy the atmosphere before it all gets too busy.

Visitors should be able to find second-hand goods in the area between Golborne Road and Westway, clothing and fashion accessories in the Westway area itself, household items from Westway to Talbot Road, fruit, vegetables and other food items from Talbot Road up to Elgin Crescent, and then antiques from Elgin Crescent up to Chepstow Villas. 

 

Portobello Road Market is traditionally an antiques market, but like many of the markets in London, there’s also the opportunity to do a bit of grocery shopping too.

Sections of the market operate on all days except for Sundays, although some days are much busier than others. Permanent shops and cafes are open along the road every day of the week.

Friday and Saturday are the best days for antique stall holders and food vendors. Visitors will also find arcade stalls on Saturdays only. Fruit, vegetables, fashion, clothing and accessories can be purchased throughout the week.

Getting There

Those who are intending to walk the whole length of the market are advised to either arrive at Notting Hill Gate station (Central, Circle and District Line), or from the other end of the market arriving at Ladbroke Grove Station or Westbourne Park (both Circle line and Hammersmith & City.) It takes under 10 minutes to walk to the market from these stations. All of these stations are situated in Zone 2. These tube stations can become very busy after 11.30am on a Saturday when the market is at its most popular.

 

Has this post inspired you to soak up the atmosphere at one of the oldest markets in London?

Which is your favourite London market to visit?

Let me know in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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