MAP
This self-guided London walking tour is the most colorful among all of my tours.
Notting Hill is one of London’s top tourist destinations.
Below you will find my 14 recommendations of places worth exploring around Notting Hill area.
You can visit all of them for free.
To see the MAP of this walk click here.
Distance to cover: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Enjoy the read and the walk!
In need of a private tour guide…?
contact@walkmeblog.com
notting hill WALKING TOUR
1. Notting Hill Hillgate Village
I recommend you start this London walking tour by arriving at Notting Hill Gate tube station.
The station itself has beautiful architecture worth seeing.
Only 2 min walk from the tube station, you can find a few streets (Farmer St, Hillgate Pl, Farmer Pl, Uxbridge St) with colorful houses.
These charming, cartoon-look like streets are often referred to as Notting Hill Hillgate Village.
Every day, they attract selfie hunters from around the world.
Click here to see precise location
Later on this Notting Hill walking tour you will see more beautiful streets with colorful elevations but in a meantime, lets head towards one of the most beautiful mews in London.
2. Ladbroke Walk (Mews)
Next stop on this Notting Hill walking tour is a charming mews called Ladbroke Walk.
This picturesque cobblestone street is located only steps away from Notting Hill tube station.
Click here to see precise location
Mews are narrow streets originally designed as stables and carriage houses for grand townhouses during the 18th and 19th centuries. They have since been converted into charming residential areas.
3. Cabmen’s shelter
Cabmen’s shelters are small green huts scattered throughout the streets of London that were built specifically for the use of Hackney carriage drivers.
Historically, hackney carriages were horse-drawn vehicles available for hire. In modern times, they have been replaced by black cabs.
Cabmen’s shelters were established in the late 19th century (it was over 60 of them around London back then) and cab drivers could get there a hot meal and a cup of tea (but no alcohol!).
Only 13 of them are left today, and the majority have been converted into public cafes or snack bars, offering refreshments and meals to both visitors and locals.
Cabmen’s shelters were frequently situated near churches, similar to this well-preserved example in Notting Hill.
Click here to see precise location
4. Portobello Road
Originally Portobello Road was a country lane connecting the neighborhoods of Notting Hill and Kensal Green.
Click here to see precise location
The name “Portobello” is believed to have been inspired by the victory of Admiral Edward Vernon over the Spanish at the Battle of Portobello in Panama in 1739.
In the 19th century, the street began to evolve into a market and became renowned as a thriving antiques market, attracting collectors and dealers from around the world.
Today, Portobello Road is renowned for its colorful pastel houses and lively atmosphere.
Antiques, vintage clothing, quirky collectibles…
…street art…
…street performers…
…Portobello Road has it all.
The street gained global recognition through the popular film “Notting Hill” released in 1999, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
Throughout the film, the street serves as a backdrop for many pivotal scenes, highlighting the vibrant and eclectic charm of the area.
The movie’s success solidified Portobello Road’s status as an iconic London destination.
My personal favorite feature of Portobello Road is the stand called “The Table With Positive Thoughts” by Charlotte Reed.
Charlotte is an author from London. After going through some personal struggles with mental health, she created the book called “May the Thoughts Be with You”.
The book is a collection of wisdom and inspiration that invite readers to cultivate a positive mindset. It is a wonderful gift for yourself and for others.
Despite reaching online success with the sale of her book, Charlotte still often sells it personally from the stand on Portobello Road (where it all began).
You can read more about her backstory here.
5. Lancaster Road
Lancaster Road is a picturesque street in Notting Hill.
It runs perpendicular to Portobello Road.
Click here to see precise location
Despite being lined with mainly residential houses, it is one of the most visited streets in Notting Hill.
Every day of the week, you can meet there tourists taking photographs of these iconic, colorful houses.
6. Bob Marley’s recording studio in Notting Hill
In the 1970s, Notting Hill became a hub for the growing Caribbean community in the city, and Bob Marley often stayed in the area when he visited London.
He had a close relationship with his London-based record label, Island Records, which had its offices in Notting Hill at the time.
Bob Marley and The Wailers recorded some of their iconic music in Basing Street Studios.
Today the place is marked with a blue plaque commemorating that.
Click here to see precise location
7. Bob Marley’s mural in Notting Hill
Opposite the former Basing Street Studios building, you can find a navy-blue house…
… with mysterious writing “Boring Street Rooms” above its main entrance.
On site of this building, you can find a mural: painted open windows with people in them.
One of the persons depicted there is Bob Marley with his guitar and microphone.
This mural is a well-hidden Notting Hill gem but definitely worth finding for the fans of Reggae music.
8. Banksy mural in Notting Hill
Banksy is a renowned anonymous street artist, known for his thought-provoking and often politically-charged artworks created in public spaces around the world.
In Notting Hill, you can find one of his oldest (2008) murals in London, known under the name The Painter.
The artwork shows a graffiti artist (believed to be the 17th-century Spanish painter Velazquez) who paints Banksy’s name in red.
The mural can be found on the external wall of the restaurant called The Grand, at the junction of Portobello and Acklam Road.
Click here to see precise location
You can find another Banksy mural in London in my Camden Town walking tour.
9. The house where Jimi Hendrix died
The next stop on this walking tour will take you to another significant location in music history—the house at 22 Lansdowne Crescent where Jimi Hendrix has been found unresponsive on September 18, 1970.
Although he was officially pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m. at the nearby St Mary Abbots Hospital (after his girlfriend called the ambulance at 11:18 a.m.), fans of the greatest guitarist of all time commonly refer to this location as the site of his death.
The official cause of Jimi Hendrix’s death, according to the coroner’s report, was “inhalation of vomit due to barbiturate intoxication.”
At the time of Hendrix’s death, the building was a hotel. Currently, it is a private house, and there is no official plaque marking the significance of this spot.
10. More colorful houses (Lansdowne Road)
Lansdowne Road in Notting Hill is a picturesque street known for its elegant Victorian architecture.
Click here to see precise location
The road is lined with well-preserved townhouses, each showcasing unique architectural features and vibrant facades.
Personally, it is my favorite colorful street in Notting Hill.
Lansdowne Road, along with a few parallel streets, has a curved shape, which adds an additional touch of magic to this already enchanting and fairy tale-like area.
The streets were established on the former racecourse known as Kensington Hippodrome, which is why they have a curved shape.
A delightful place for a leisurely stroll…
11. The Bottle Kiln and Pottery Lane
The abundance of high-quality clay in the vicinity of Notting Hill in the 19th century led to the development of several brickworks and potteries in the area.
The legacy of this industrial heritage can still be observed today through the presence of various pottery shops…
… and The Bottle Kiln…
… which is located not far from the charming and publicly accessible Avondale Park.
Click here to see precise location
Most parks in Notting Hill are privately owned.
A bottle kiln, characterized by its distinctive bottle-shaped structure, served as an oven for firing pottery and ceramic wares. These kilns, constructed with bricks and often several stories tall, facilitated the firing process by burning fuels such as coal or wood in the lower section. The resulting heat would then rise through the chambers, reaching the optimal temperature for pottery firing.
Another enduring reminder of this industry is the street name that I invite you to follow now—Pottery Lane.
This street bears witness to the historical association with pottery production, further highlighting the lasting impact of this craft on the local area.
12. Holland Park
The next segment of this walking tour will guide you through Holland Park, an area often referred to as “Millionaire’s Row” due to its affluent residents.
Among them, you’ll find figures such as Sir Richard Branson, The Beckhams, Robbie Williams, Jimmy Page, Simon Cowell, and many others.
I highly recommend visiting the delightful Holland Park, a charming park situated in the heart of this neighborhood.
Click here to see precise location
As you meander along its various pathways, you will encounter the captivating Kyoto Garden.
A tranquil Japanese garden boasting serene waterfalls, vibrant flora, and traditional architecture.
It serves as an ideal spot to pause and rejuvenate during this walking tour.
The park also showcases an array of sculptures…
…and charming corners…
…well worth exploring.
13. The house where Agatha Christie wrote “Murder on the Orient Express”
Agatha Christie, known as the Queen of Crime, owned and resided in several properties in London throughout her life, developing a passion for real estate as her fame grew.
Now, you have the opportunity to see her house in Holland Park.
This particular house is believed to be the place where she wrote one of her renowned works, “Murder on the Orient Express.”
As a testament to Christie’s past presence at this address, the house is proudly marked with a blue plaque with her name.
Click here to see precise location
See also: Free Agatha Christie London walking tour with a map
14. The Churchill Arms (pub)
The final stop on this Notting Hill walking tour is The Churchill Arms, a historic pub located just a few minutes’ walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station.
Click here to see precise location
This pub is renowned for its captivating exterior, which greets you with a breathtaking display of vibrant flowers that adorn the entire facade, creating a truly picturesque sight.
Stepping inside, you’ll discover a warm and inviting atmosphere, complete with a delightful Thai restaurant and a collection of memorabilia that pays homage to the great Sir Winston Churchill.
See also: Winston Churchill London Walking Tour With a Map and a Photo Gallery
If you visit during the Christmas season, you’ll be treated to a truly stunning display of decorations and festive lights that further enhance the pub’s charm.
A visit to The Churchill Arms serves as a perfect conclusion to the Notting Hill walking tour.
Before you go…
The Notting Hill Carnival is a Caribbean festival that takes place every year over the August bank holiday weekend. It spans two days and attracts an estimated two million people annually. It is known for its vibrant music, colorful costumes, and lively atmosphere.
May is an especially delightful month to visit the beautiful neighborhood of Notting Hill, as it is renowned as one of the best areas in London to witness the enchanting bloom of wisteria.
The streets come alive with cascades of these lovely flowers, draping themselves over facades, archways, and trellises, creating a captivating and romantic atmosphere.
Strolling through Notting Hill during this time allows you to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty and delicate fragrance of wisteria, adding an extra touch of magic to your visit.
I hope that I have successfully convinced you that it is indeed worth exploring this beautiful part of London.
In need of a private tour guide…?
contact@walkmeblog.com
