NOTTING HILL GATE
General Information
Notting Hill Gate is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the earliest account of the name Notting Hill can be found in the Patent Rolls of 1356 which lists the area as “Knottynghull”. Long before becoming one of London’s most affluent areas and Richard Curtis made the neighbourhood infamous with his 1999 film ‘Notting Hill’ starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, it was largely a working-class area. Late-Twentieth Century gentrification transformed Notting Hill into what it is today. Now full of fashion boutiques, fantastic restaurants, cafes, bars, antic dealers and gastro pubs there are plenty of exciting things to know about one of London’s most famous districts.
Did You know?
Notting Hill served as a major thorough fare and, as such, was the location of several tolls which were set up in the mid-18th century, hence the name Notting Hill Gate. The gate stood at the junction of what was known at the time as Portobello Lane which today is better know as Pembridge Road.
The Ladbroke family owned much of the land in Notting Hill in the 19th Century. As such, several streets and locations in the district are named after the wealthy family. These include Ladbroke Terrace, Ladbroke Crescent, Ladbroke Road, Ladbroke Mews, Ladbroke Grove, Ladbroke Hall, Ladbroke Walk and Ladbroke Square Garden.
Following an influx of Caribbean immigrants after World War II, several far-right groups emerged with the desire to resist the growing diversity of London. In 1958, an assault against Majbritt Morrison by a racist gang, which later turned into a mob of 300 to 400 people attacking the homes of West Indian residents. The rioting lasted from August 20 to September 5. These attacks laid the foundation of the annual Notting Hill Carnival which now celebrates, values and embraces West Indian culture and lifestyle.
On September 18, 1970, at the age of 27, American musician Jimi Hendrix passed away in London. One of this centuries most influential guitarists, he was described by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music”. His girlfriend, German figure skater Monika Dannemann, found him in the morning hours of unresponsive in her apartment at the Samarkand Hotel, 22 Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill, W11.
Green Spaces
Today Notting Hill is renowned for its many beautiful garden squares and private gardens which provide the backdrop of some of the most expensive property in the capital. Plans were first laid out by estate surveyor and architect Thomas Allason in 1823 who was the first to suggest a garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens.
One of the more famous is Ladbroke Square Gardens which is the largest of the Ladbroke’s 16 garden square and crescent gardens. It is also the largest private garden square in London and includes a private tennis court for the lucky residents. Rosmead Garden was made famous by the 1999 movie ‘Notting Hill’ which stared Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts as a loved struck couple enjoying a late night stroll when the flirtatious couple decided to climb the fence and sneak into the private gardens late at night.
Beyond the private communal garden squares residents of Noting Hill Gate can enjoy the larger green spaces of nearby Royal Parks Holland Park, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
Going Out
One of Notting Hill’s most special attributes is the wonderful mix of people it attracts. There is something for everyone to enjoy in an area that feels more like a village than just another part of a city. The trendy fashion boutiques and galleries along Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road include brands such as Joseph, Smythson, Diptyque & Matches Fashion which create a calm and collected shopping experience. While the hustle and bustle of Portobello Road is the polar opposite as antique dealers, food market sellers, ice cream vendors, restaurants, deli’s and bakeries all compete to attract the hoarders of tourists attracted to the area for it’s vibrancy and energy.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking somewhere to eat. From the many superb gastro pubs such as the Ladbroke Arms on Ladbroke Road or The Cock & Bottle on Artesian Road to the newly opened late nigh restaurant and bar Gold on Portobello Road the options are endless. If fine dinning is more your flavour The Ledbury on Ledbury Road is the perfect venue – boasting Two Michelin Stars and an entry in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. We can’t write about the restaurants in Notting Hill without mentioning Italian Osteria Basilico on Kensington Park Road or E&O a few doors down on the same street as both, while very different, are equally deserving of a visit.
Transport
Tube: Notting Hill Gate station is suitably positioned on the border between Zones 1 and 2 on the Central, Circle and District Lines. It takes seven minutes on the Central Line to Oxford Circus, while the Circle Line will take you across London to Tower Hill in 25 minutes.
Bus: Local bus routes serve Wandsworth (28), South Kensington (70), Golders Green (328), and Kensal Rise (452). Notting Hill Gate also has several 24 hour bus services, including the 27 (to Chiswick), 52 (to Victoria), 94 (to Piccadilly Circus), 148 (to White City), and 390 (to Archway).
Road: Notting Hill is a short drive from the A4, which leads to the M4 and the West of England in just half an hour.
Cycle: The 20 minute cycle from Notting Hill to Oxford Circus is a pretty one, running along the edge of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
Getting away: Locals can reach Heathrow in just half an hour as it’s only two Tube stops to Paddington and from there the Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes to reach the airport.
Our Recommendations
Best Breakfast – Sunday in Brooklyn (98 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU)
Best Coffee – TAB X TAB (14-16 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RH)
Best Pizza – Portobello Italian Restaurant London (7 Ladbroke Road, W11 3PA)
Best Pub for Summer – The Westbourne (101 Westbourne Park Villas, W2 5ED)
Best Pub Food – The Ladbroke Arms (54 Ladbroke Road, W11 3NW)
Best Coffee – TAB X TAB (14-16 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RH)
Best Pizza – Portobello Italian Restaurant London (7 Ladbroke Road, W11 3PA)
Best Pub for Summer – The Westbourne (101 Westbourne Park Villas, W2 5ED)
Best Pub Food – The Ladbroke Arms (54 Ladbroke Road, W11 3NW)
