Planning to explore Notting Hill on foot?
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Planning to explore Notting Hill on foot? This comprehensive guide will assist you in creating your own walking adventure through this famous neighborhood!
This self-guided tour of London lets you uncover the must-see locations in this trendy district. From vibrant street art and local museums to the famous Portobello Road Market, colorful houses, charming theaters, film locations, and the best spots for shopping and dining – it’s all included.
Your adventure begins at Ladbroke Grove station. From there, head south along Portobello Road, taking a few short detours if you like. Feel free to skip stops or pause at one of the many delightful spots for a coffee or a snack (maybe a cupcake?).
Consider adding scenic Holland Park and Kensington High Street to your Notting Hill exploration, exiting at either Holland Park or High Street Kensington stations.
If you're ready to explore all the highlights of Notting Hill – at no cost – let’s get started!
Notting Hill is undoubtedly one of London’s most picturesque neighborhoods.
Table of Contents
- Best Time for a Notting Hill Walking Tour
- Self-Guided Notting Hill Walking Tour Itinerary
- Ladbroke Grove station
- Museum of Brands
- Graffik Gallery
- Portobello Road Market
- Colorful homes on Lancaster Road
- St Luke’s Mews from Love Actually
- The Tabernacle
- Notting Hill bookshop from the movie
- Blue Door from Notting Hill
- Electric Cinema
- Break for coffee or lunch
- Westbourne Grove
- Coronet Theatre
- Notting Hill Gate station
- Holland Park
- Holland Park or High Street Kensington station
⭐️ Want a guided experience? Enjoy a 10% discount with the promo code UKTRAVELPLANNING10 for this Notting Hill tour with Brit Icon Tours – click here for more details and to book!
Best Time for a Notting Hill Walking Tour
For an optimal experience, try visiting on a Saturday when Portobello Road Market is bustling and the area is lively with tours. However, the walk is enjoyable any day of the week, depending on your schedule and the typical British weather! Starting early is advisable as the market becomes crowded by the afternoon.
Your Self-Guided Notting Hill Walking Tour
Ladbroke Grove Station
- Ladbroke Grove – Circle and Hammersmith & City lines
Begin your tour at Ladbroke Grove station. Head south along Ladbroke Grove, then turn right onto Lancaster Road.
Museum of Brands
On Lancaster Road, you’ll find the Museum of Brands on the left. This museum offers a glimpse into over 200 years of consumer history, from the Victorian era to the present day. It features more than 12,000 items, including cars, cosmetics, food, magazines, music, toys, and household products.
The museum also shows vintage TV commercials and has a Time Tunnel exhibit organized chronologically. You can also visit the on-site cafe, gift shop, and a beautiful garden. To save time, consider buying skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Graffik Gallery
After leaving the Museum of Brands, continue right along Lancaster Road. Cross Ladbroke Grove and keep walking until you reach Portobello Road. Turn left and head north. The Graffik Gallery will be on your right, just past Westway (A40).
This gallery is dedicated to street art and even offers graffiti workshops.
Portobello Road Market
Following your visit to the Graffik Gallery, head south along Portobello Road. Saturdays are the prime market day, featuring a wide array of stalls.
Depending on the day, the market offers antiques, collectibles, vintage items, fresh produce, street food, fashion, accessories, and more.
Colorful Homes on Lancaster Road
Before continuing too far along Portobello Road, turn left onto Lancaster Road, heading in the reverse direction of your previous route. This eastern segment of Lancaster Road is renowned for its vibrant townhouses.
These residences are among the most colorful in Notting Hill, a neighborhood famous for its lively painted homes.
St Luke’s Mews from Love Actually
Next, take a right onto Basing Street and head a bit further south to discover St Luke’s Mews on your left.
This charming cobblestone street is one of London’s most picturesque locations. The pink house featured in the film *Love Actually* is a popular photo spot. Originally stables, these houses still feature beautiful iron balconies and traditional street lamps.
The Tabernacle
Exit St Luke’s Mews where it meets St Luke’s Road. Turn right, proceed south, cross Westbourne Park Road, and continue to Powis Square via Powis Terrace. You’ll come across the Tabernacle here.
Housed in an impressive historic structure, the Tabernacle is worth seeing even if you don’t go inside. It hosts a range of events and exhibitions and has a delightful cafe bar.
Notting Hill Bookshop from Notting Hill
After visiting the Tabernacle, return to Portobello Road via Talbot Road. Cross Portobello Road and continue until it turns into Blenheim Crescent. Along this route, you'll find the famous Notting Hill bookshop from the movie.
Blue Door from Notting Hill
To view the iconic blue door from the film *Notting Hill*, take a brief detour up Portobello Road. Turn left at the next street, and you'll reach 280 Westbourne Park Road, the location of the famous blue door.
Electric Cinema
After visiting the bookshop, head back to Portobello Road and turn right. Your next stop is the Electric Cinema, located on the left. This is one of the oldest cinemas in the UK, featuring a cozy setting and comfortable sofas.
The cinema offers a mix of arthouse and mainstream films, and the Electric Diner on-site is worth checking out. Be sure to review the current schedule if you’d like to catch a movie at this historic Notting Hill venue.
Coffee or Lunch
Time for a break! Grab a delicious bite from a market stall or visit one of the cafes along Portobello Road.
Options include French-American fare at the Electric Diner, treats from Gail’s Bakery or the Hummingbird Bakery, just a little further from the Electric Cinema. Another great choice is the popular Farm Girl cafe, located past Chepstow Villas.
Westbourne Grove
Perfect for photos! Thanks to Scalens Studio.
Westbourne Grove is also ideal for shopping and dining. When you reach the junction of Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove, turn right. You’ll find numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants lining this trendy street.
Coronet Theatre
After exploring Westbourne Grove, return to Portobello Road and continue south. When Portobello Road ends, take Pembridge Road toward Notting Hill Gate tube station. Cross Notting Hill Gate, and your next stop will be on the right.
Your next – and potentially final – stop on the Notting Hill tour is the Coronet Theatre. This historic venue, resembling a tiered cake, has been hosting performances since 1898. The theatre features a diverse range of entertainment, from plays to poetry and dance. Check the current listings here.
Notting Hill Gate Tube Station
- Notting Hill Gate – Central, Circle, and District Lines
The Notting Hill Gate tube station is just a short walk from the Coronet Theatre. You can end your tour here if you like. However, if you’re up for more, consider extending your walk.
Holland Park
When you have some leisure time and pleasant weather, consider adding Holland Park to your stroll. Located to the southwest of Notting Hill Gate station, this green space offers a range of amenities, including sports courts, playgrounds for children, and a nature center.
The Kyoto Garden within Holland Park is noted for its meticulously maintained plants and tranquil water features. It is generally quieter compared to many other parks in London, providing a serene retreat where you can unwind.
Holland Park or High Street Kensington Tube Stations
- Holland Park – Central Line
- High Street Kensington – Circle and District Lines
If you choose to continue exploring Holland Park, you may reach Holland Park station or proceed towards Kensington High Street. Holland Park station is situated to the north along Holland Park Avenue.
Taking the exit at High Street Kensington takes a bit longer but offers an opportunity to explore the southern end of the park. Once you reach Kensington High Street, turn left to find the tube station on your right. This area is bustling with shops and dining options.
Notting Hill Guided Walking Tour
If you prefer not to explore alone, consider booking a guided walking tour of Notting Hill. Brit Icon Tours offers these tours, which can be booked through Get Your Guide with the option to pay later. Tours are available on Saturdays, coinciding with the Portobello Road Market.
This two-hour tour, guided by a local expert, begins at Notting Hill Gate station. You’ll wander through the neighborhood, exploring colorful houses, iconic movie scenes, celebrity residences, renowned eateries, and the famous Portobello Road Market.
Notting Hill Walking Tour Route Map [coming soon!]
Getting to Notting Hill
The quickest and simplest way to reach Notting Hill is by tube. Notting Hill Gate is the main station, served by the Central, Circle, and District lines.
Alternatively, you can reach the area from Ladbroke Grove to the north or Westbourne Park to the northeast, both of which are on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.
This walking route through Notting Hill starts at Ladbroke Grove and can end at Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park, or High Street Kensington tube stations, depending on your preference.
Will You Join a Notting Hill Walking Tour?
Take a leisurely stroll through Notting Hill, an ideal spot for capturing beautiful photos.
Notting Hill presents a variety of experiences and attractions. It feels like a collection of distinct villages within London, best explored on foot.
You can decide to visit every stop or skip some based on your pace. The route can easily fill an entire day if you plan to explore museums, theaters, galleries, shops, and cafes along the way. Including Holland Park in your itinerary will add more time, but it is certainly worthwhile.
To experience most of the highlights, allocate at least two to three hours. Be sure to take breaks for photos. Enjoying Notting Hill at a relaxed pace allows you to appreciate its charming character.
Explore more – London neighborhood guides
- Discover Covent Garden & Holborn
- Discover Tower Hill and Tower Bridge
- Discover Westminster (including Victoria/Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square)
- Discover Kensington (including South Kensington)
- Discover Greenwich
- Discover Mayfair
- Discover the City of London
- Discover Southwark & Bankside
- Discover Leicester Square and Soho
- Discover Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
- Discover Belgravia & Knightsbridge
- Discover Notting Hill
- Discover East London (Shoreditch & Spitalfields)
- Discover Marylebone
- Discover Paddington
- Discover Chelsea
- Discover Battersea
Explore the allure of Piccadilly Circus
- Experience the appeal of Piccadilly Circus
Feel free to ask for further changes!
