How to Spend a Day in Notting Hill

Call me basic, but I’ll say it proudly: Notting Hill is my favorite movie.

That’s been true for years — maybe even half my life. I love the premise of a bookshop owner unexpectedly meeting a megastar, I love the friendships, I love the press conference scene, and I really love the way the movie portrays London.

Is it any surprise, then, that — in the words of Hugh Grant’s character — Notting Hill is “my favorite bit of London”?

On my first visit to London, I even stayed in Notting Hill, delighting in the colorful autumn leaves in front of stately homes and the lively market on Portobello Road and beyond.

During my most recent trip to London, with a friend, we stayed near the British Museum — but still spent our last day in the city exploring Notting Hill. I loved it just as much.

Here’s how to spend one leisurely day in Notting Hill.

IN THIS POST

Brunch at GAIL’s Bakery

Start your day with a casual breakfast or brunch at GAIL’s Bakery.

I discovered this place during my first trip to London, when I stayed at an Airbnb just a block from GAIL’s. Though I was visiting London with friends, and spent most of my time with them, we agreed to take a day during our trip to branch off and each do our own thing. As it turned out, I reveled in the independence of exploring London on my own, and it was really that one day during that one trip that launched my love of solo travel!

And it all started at GAIL’s, where I lingered over a tasty eggs benedict (my go-to brunch order!).

Explore Portobello Road Market

One of the very best things to do in Notting Hill — an absolute must, really — is to check out Portobello Road Market.

This is a wide-ranging market that, at its peak, fills the streets of Notting Hill with stands selling books, antiques, souvenirs, clothing, food, crafts, and much more. I could spend hours perusing Portobello Road Market — and, in fact, I have.

The streets of Notting Hill are filed with the stalls of Portobello Road Market.

A woman walks past a clothing store in Notting Hill.

Note that Portobello Road Market only operates at full strength on Saturday. On other days (except for Sunday, when the market is closed entirely), only limited stalls are available. If possible, try to plan your visit to Notting Hill for a Saturday!

If you need to eat again in the afternoon, keep an eye out for tasty-looking food stands in the market — there are plenty of options, and they’ll be less expensive than the average restaurant in Notting Hill.

Afternoon Shopping & Exploration

When you’re ready to branch out from the stalls of Portobello Road Market, take a look at the many shops and cafes in the neighborhood.

I’m not a huge clothes shopper, but if you are, there are a number of high-end boutiques to be found in Notting Hill.

If, like me, you’d rather spend an afternoon perusing bookshelves, you can find that too. I particularly love Daunt Books — though be warned that the shop has changed ownership since my last visit, so I can’t promise that it continues to be as cozy and delightful as I recall!

For a unique experience in Notting Hill, tour the Cosmic House — a house-turned-museum that’s a fascinating example of postmodern design and architecture. (Be aware that the Cosmic House has extremely limited opening hours and ticket availability; booking in advance is a must.)

And, if you’re a Notting Hill movie fan like me, be sure to keep an eye out for some of the famous points of interest from the movie. Among other memorable spots, there’s the blue door that served as Hugh Grant’s front door (the interior scenes were filmed elsewhere), the gift shop that served as the exterior for his travel book shop (the interior scenes were filmed on a set designed to resemble the interior of this store), and the private park that Hugh and Julia’s characters broke into after a dinner party (don’t do that!).

A man paints the famous blue door from the movie Notting Hill.

An antique cream-colored car on a street in Notting Hill.

If you’d prefer a bit more structure to your afternoon exploration, consider booking an afternoon walking tour where a local expert will take you to the top sights and hidden gems of Notting Hill:

Dinner at The Castle

There’s certainly no shortage of great dining options in Notting Hill, so it’s tough to go wrong, but on my last visit, I quite enjoyed dinner at The Castle. Located just across the street from the famous blue door from Notting Hill, The Castle offers classic and elevated pub food in a charming corner space.

Movie at Electric Cinema

End your day in Notting Hill with a movie at my favorite theater in the world: Electric Cinema.

This beloved spot, which often has just one or two movies on offer each day, is filled with cozy armchairs, sofas, and even beds, making it an exceptionally comfy place to watch a movie. Stop at the bar for a drink and tasty treat before finding your seat — and don’t miss the excellent pick-n-mix selection!

People taking a selfie outside Electric Cinema in the evening.

A sign inside the Electric Cinema Portobello theater, saying "Now Playing: Barbie / Oppenheimer."

Note that movies at Electric Cinema frequently sell out; I strongly recommend buying your ticket in advance (even if just that morning) in order to secure a spot.