Looking for the top things to do in Notting Hill, London? Look no further! This Notting Hill area guide covers everything you need to know about visiting this vibrant part of the UK capital.
Notting Hill is one of London’s most famous and favoured districts. A 1999 movie starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant bears the area’s name, for starters. There’s also the Notting Hill carnival, Europe’s largest of its kind, and one of London’s most popular markets.
Notting Hill things to do tend to revolve around shopping, dining, and exploring, rather than big-hitting London attractions. This area has a pleasing neighbourhood feel, and offers theatres, an old cinema, colourful houses, a unique museum, and much more.
From what to do in Notting Hill to getting there and where to stay, eat, and shop, this is the ultimate guide to this beautiful, bohemian part of London. Read on so you can plan your visit!
Why not plan your visit with our self-guided Notting Hill walking tour?
Who is Notting Hill best for?
- Foodies
- Movie fans
- Boho types
- Theatregoers
- Instagrammers
Top 9 Things to Do in Notting Hill
Colourful Houses
If you want to find a famous street in Notting Hill to see the area’s trademark painted houses, there are several to choose from. Spot Notting Hill pastel houses at Chepstow Villas, or look at Lancaster Road’s brighter hues.
Lonsdale Road, St Luke’s Mews, Elgin Crescent, Portobello Road, Colville Mews, and Westbourne Grove are also local hotspots. Why not simply wander the streets, in search of your own hidden gem?
Notting Hill walking tour
Take a local-led walking tour of Notting Hill to really get to grips with the area. You can book a tour that includes the bookshop and the blue door from the Notting Hill film, celebrity homes in the area, the market, colourful houses, and more.
Alternatively, take your own walking tour by checking out our Notting Hill walking tour itinerary.
Click here to book a walking tour of Notting Hill
Notting Hill Photoshoot
Why not book a photoshoot with the incredible Domi of Scalens Studio, who took these fabulous shots of me in Notting Hill in spring 2022 – it was so much fun!
I was a little nervous as this was only my second photoshoot and first solo, but Domi instantly put me at ease, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. And look at my fabulous memories of my day in Notting Hill!
Book a photoshoot with Domi and use code UKTP10 at checkout for a 10% discount!
Notting Hill Carnival
Even if you won’t be in the area during the August bank holiday weekend, it’s worth knowing about the Notting Hill Carnival so you can picture the scene while walking the streets. It’s an exuberant extravaganza with a Caribbean vibe, and has taken place here since 1966.
See lots of colour, costumes, and calypso music as floats and processions wind their way through the west London streets. You can also expect crowds at Europe’s biggest street party, with around a million attendees and 50,000 performers annually.
Museum of Brands
The Museum of Brands on Lancaster Road covers consumerism and design, from Victorian days to contemporary times. It’s fascinating to see the products the public used to buy, from cosmetics to toys, music, cars, magazines, TV, household goods, food, and more. In total there are over 12,000 items spanning a 200-year period.
There’s a Time Tunnel set up in chronological order, and you can watch TV ads from the past. You can also visit the gift shop, cafe, and award-winning garden. To save time, you can buy skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Click here to buy tickets for the Museum of Brands
Electric Cinema
The Electric Cinema on Portobello Road is one of the UK’s oldest, and is packed with character. Relaxed sofa seating and friendly staff make this a stand-out movie experience.
There are both arthouse and mainstream screenings, plus a bar and diner on site. Why not find out what’s on when you’re in London?
The Coronet Theatre
The Coronet Theatre dates from 1923, though the building has housed a theatre since 1898. It looks like a wedding cake, and offers a mixed programme including dance, poetry, and plays. Find out what’s on here.
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle is also a Notting Hill venue worth getting to know. The striking, curving listed building is very Instagrammable, for starters. This theatre on Powis Square also offers a broad range of exhibitions and events – from art to boxing and beyond – plus a good bar and kitchen on site.
Holland Park
This leafy London park lies southwest of Notting Hill Gate, and has plenty to offer all the family. There are playgrounds, sports courts, woodland, a Japanese garden, and an ecology centre.
Unlike other London parks, it’s usually easy to find a peaceful part of this park to call your own.
Graffik Gallery
Positioned on Portobello Road, Graffik Gallery bills itself as London’s best street art gallery. It certainly takes this particular type of art seriously.
If you want to visit between Monday and Thursday, you’ll need to book a timed entry slot. You don’t need to do so when going there between Friday and Sunday. The venue also offers graffiti workshops.
Where to Stay in Notting Hill
Hotels
- £££ – The Laslett | 5* | Restaurant, bar & gym | By Notting Hill Gate tube
- ££ – The Portobello Hotel | Bar, room service & 24-hour reception | By Ladbroke Grove
- £ – The Premier Notting Hill | 4* | Breakfast & 24-hour reception | In Bayswater
- £ – Blue Bells Hotel | 3* | Breakfast & WiFi | Near Notting Hill Gate tube
Holiday rentals
- 2 bed for 4 – Charming garden flat | 2 beds & 1 bath | In the heart of Notting Hill
- 5 bed for 11 – Star Gazing house | 4 beds & 2 baths | Between Ladbroke Grove & Notting Hill Gate
Where to Eat in Notting Hill
Westbourne Grove
Westbourne Grove offers a plethora of appealing eateries, including Granger and Co from the late Australian chef Bill Granger, and Daylesford Organic for healthy, seasonal fare.
The Ledbury
One of the best-known restaurants in Notting Hill Gate, The Ledbury offers a modern European menu and fine wine. With three Michelin stars, you’ll need to book well ahead if you want to eat here.
Hereford Road
Head to Hereford Road for meaty, hearty British dishes, including game and offal. The venue was a butcher’s shop during Victorian times, and now boasts a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Fez Mangal
Right by Ladbroke Grove tube station is this laid-back, cafe style eatery. The bare brick walls create a relaxed setting for tucking into yummy Turkish grills.
Mazi
If you prefer Greek to Turkish, try Mazi. This stylish restaurant serves up authentic Greek specialities with a modern twist, and has a neighbourhood vibe.
Osteria Basilico
This traditional Italian trattoria serves regional specialities in a rustic dining room. You can also get great coffee and good wine.
Electric Diner
Located at the same premises as the Electric Cinema is the Electric Diner. America meets France on this all-day eatery’s menu, which features red leather booths and a bar.
Farm Girl
A casual cafe with colourful tiled walls, offering a healthy and holistic menu. The nourishing dishes are also full of flavour.
Gail’s Bakery
Gail’s on Portobello Road is always a reliable place for a refuelling stop. You can get good coffee here, plus breakfast pots, bread, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and more.
Hummingbird Bakery
This famous Notting Hill bakery is the place to go for American style sweet treats, from cupcakes to pies, brownies, cheesecake and red velvet cake.
Ottolenghi Notting Hill
Another household name here. This small outlet is the original Ottolenghi, where the celebrity chef’s empire began. Expect flavoursome fusion food, with a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern bias.
The Elgin
Occupying a corner position, The Elgin is a mainstay of the Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill pub scene. It offers a gin palace, British seasonal food, and a beer garden.
The Cow Saloon bar and dining rooms
This is one of the best pubs in Notting Hill for foodies. Specialities include Guinness, oysters, fresh seafood, and seasonal fare.
The Prince Bonaparte
An airy, rustic-chic Notting Hill gastropub with a welcoming and lively atmosphere. Expect to enjoy top-notch pub grub in an art deco setting.
Where to Shop in Notting Hill
Portobello Road Market
This famous Notting Hill street market is one of London’s best loved. It’s the biggest antiques market on the planet, and also sells fresh produce, collectibles, fashion, vintage goods, street food, and more.
Head there early on a Saturday, the main day, for the most shopping options – and to beat the afternoon crowds.
Read more – Best markets in London
Westbourne Grove
Westbourne Grove is where to go if vintage goods aren’t your thing. This area is best for upmarket boutiques and designer labels. There’s plenty of places for a coffee stop, too.
Notting Hill Bookshops
Among all the shops in Notting Hill Gate, those dealing in books are renowned. Not least because The Notting Hill Bookshop, on Blenheim Crescent, featured in the film Notting Hill.
On the same street, you’ll also find foodies’ favourite Books for Cooks. Another top shop for bookworms is L&R Bookshop, an independent stocking hand-picked fiction and non-fiction works.
Rough Trade
For music fans, the pick of the Notting Hill shops is Rough Trade. It offers vinyl and CDs, and has been selling music here since 1976. You can also buy books and merchandise here.
How to Get to Notting Hill
Underground stations
- Notting Hill Gate – Central, Circle, and District Lines
- Ladbroke Grove – Circle and Hammersmith & City lines
- Westbourne Park – Circle and Hammersmith & City lines
Notting Hill FAQs
Where is Notting Hill?
The Notting Hill area is in west London. It’s north of Kensington and south of North Kensington, west of Paddington, and east of Shepherd’s Bush. The neighbourhood is within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Is Notting Hill worth visiting?
With colourful streets, foodie faves, a leading London market, theatres, and movie fame to its name, Notting Hill has lots to offer. Every August bank holiday weekend, it’s also home to the Notting Hill Carnival.
What are the Portobello Market opening times?
The Portobello Road Market opening times are 9am to 6pm Monday to Wednesday, for fruit and veg; 9am to 1pm on Thursday for new goods; 9am to 7pm on Friday for antiques; and 9am to 7pm on Saturday for fashion. Saturday is the main market day.
What Will You Do in Notting Hill?
As you can see, the Notting Hill district has so much to offer whether you’re a theatregoer, a shopper, a foodie – or all three.
The area also has lots of appeal for Instagrammers, thanks to its painted, picture perfect houses. Make sure you don’t miss the unique, eclectic vibe of this smart part of London, whether you’ll be partying at the carnival or not!
Read next – London area guides
- Things to do in Covent Garden & Holborn
- Things to do in Tower Hill and Tower Bridge
- Things to do in Westminster (including Victoria/Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square)
- Things to do in Kensington (including South Kensington)
- Things to do in Greenwich
- Things to do in Mayfair
- Things to do in the City of London
- Things to do in Southwark & Bankside
- Things to do in Leicester Square and Soho
- Things to do in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
- Things to Do in Belgravia & Knightsbridge
- Ultimate Notting Hill self-guided walking tour
- Things to do in East London (Shoreditch & Spitalfields)
- Things to do in Marylebone
- Things to do in Paddington
- Things to do in Chelsea
- Things to do in Battersea
- Things to do in Piccadilly Circus
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