Introduction
Think Notting Hill, and likely one or more of three things will invariably spring to mind: the annual carnival, Portobello market, and Richard Curtis’ film, "Notting Hill", which showcased the area during the‘90s and in so doing helped remind London that here lay one of the most covetable places in town.
The Notting Hill carnival, which celebrates Caribbean culture, was birthed in 1966 by the local resident and community activist Rhaune Laslett in the wake of race riots, and is now considered the largest street event in Europe. Portobello market is equally as intriguing, having begun its life selling essentials like food in the mid 1800s, thriving on the business that came from all the houses popping up around it, and during the 1940s starting to sell the antiques it’s so well known for today. As for Curtis’ film, the fact that both Grant’s character’s blue door and his bookshop still frequently draw crowds cements it in the cultural history of the area.
£4.19 million
Average price of a terraced house in Notting Hill
7.5% increase
In price from March 2020 to December 2023
Property Market
In the 25 years since the release of Notting Hill, this WestLondon neighbourhood has become one of the most sought-after property markets in the world, and in that time, prices have increased by 264%. In value terms, according to Savills the average price for prime properties in Notting Hill is now £4.3million, compared to £1.2 million in 1999.
The archetypal Notting Hill home – a large stucco-fronted house with access to one of the private communal gardens for which the area is famed – can easily command prices of around £10 million. There are also plenty of smaller flats around Portobello Road, which are extremely popular with younger buyers looking for an upmarket neighbourhood that still retains a bit of edge. London Richmond owns a beautiful one-bedroom flat with high ceilings in a period conversion on Ledbury Road, which is currently valued at £950,000.
The Notting Hill property market did very well during theCovid boom, perhaps thanks to its plethora of leafy parks and gardens –property prices here increased by 7.5% between March 2020 and the end of 2023according to Savills, with central London as a whole averaging 0.8% during that period. The rental market has also demonstrated robust demand over the past few years, with the average two-bedroom flat commanding rents of just under £5,000per month. The average gross rental yield for the area is an attractive 4.12% (Coutts), making Notting Hill a compelling option for property investors seeking steady returns in a prime location.
Things to Do
This is a neighbourhood that lends itself perfectly to an aimless stroll during – and while you’re at it, you’ll happen upon gems. Golborne Road is a must if you like to peruse shops offering unique and rustic furniture alongside various clothes shops and bric-a-brac. Ledbury Road offers upmarket clothes shops scattered between candy-coloured houses, and Westbourne Grove is a must, running like an artery through the heart of Notting Hill, connecting the higgledy-piggledy roads.
You would be remiss to not head into Hyde Park; theKensington Gardens side offers beautiful winding walks and is where JM Barrie famously set Peter Pan. Once in the park, it’s worth having a look inKensington Palace for the splendour for the magnificent staircase alone.
While on places to nip into, Notting Hill is packed with art galleries and exhibition spaces, so make time for The Tabernacle, which is a community centre often showcasing various different artists of different disciplines, Clarendon Fine Art, where you’ll find plenty of more zany limited edition prints, and Flow Gallery, which is home to more crafty wares. Finally, head to the Electric cinema for an elevated film experience, complete with cocktails, comfy sofas, and bar service directly to your seat.
“The archetypal Notting Hill home – a large stucco-fronted house with access to one of the private communal gardens for which the area is famed– can easily command prices of around £10 million.”
Shopping
You’d be hard pressed not to find plenty to buy on Westbourne Grove. First, it’s a Mecca for beauty fans, housing Space NK (inside which a Margaret Dabbs Clinic where excellent pedicures take place resides), Diptyque, and the newly-opened Kama Ayurveda, where you can also have a very good Ayurvedic head massage in the subterranean treatment rooms.
Fashion too is heavily represented in Notting Hill, and the most exciting current shops there include Rails for casual but luxe shirts, Sézane for off-duty French girl clothes, and a very, very good Oxfam Boutique, which is heavily populated with clothes that previously belonged to the areas many resident celebrities. Noteworthy are the number of independent book shops: from The Travel Bookshop (yes, the one from the film) to Lutyens & Rubinstein and Books for Cooks, you won’t struggle to find a tome to pick up and devour under a tree in the park.
Pamper & Exercise
The aforementioned Margaret Dabbs and Kama Ayurveda are fantastic, but you should also know about some other spots. Strip are the best for waxes, while Cloud 12 offer everything from a great massage to nutritionist and gym. Should you wish to work out in beautiful surrounds, go to Bodyism (where the smoothie bar is famously great) or Body Works West. If you want a work out that’ll leave your muscles completely honed and toned, head to Barrecore Notting Hill.
Dine
Notting Hill is a foodie’s paradise: from brunch options to coffee chops to heavyweight restaurants, you’re spoiled for choice. Breakfast at Granger & Co, Sunday in Brooklyn, or The Electric Diner, have tea while people watching at any one of the cafes scattered on Westbourne Grove, and then go for dinner at E&O, Gold, STRAKERS, or the newest spot: Wild Restaurant & Bar. Pubs aren’t in short supply either, but the most celebrated ones include The Cow and the weather but beloved Cock & Bottle.