Things To Do During The Day In Notting Hill

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 82 months ago
Things To Do During The Day In Notting Hill

Notting Hill, an area best known for posh houses and Portobello Road, has plenty of things to do during the day. Take a look:

Go in search of a rainbow

Portobello Road. Photo: McPeluz

West London's known for its colourful houses, and no more so than on Portobello Road. But it's worth exploring some of the back streets around here too; Denbigh Terrace has its own pastel delights, while Lancaster Road (between Basing Street and All Saints Road) goes for a bolder palette. Top tip: for the best Instagram shots, don't go at the weekend — you'll be doing battle against the crowds and other Instagram tourists.

Visit the Gin Hotel

Yeah, you read that right. Notting Hill has a gin hotel. Didn't pack your toothbrush? No problem — take a class at The Ginstitute instead. It's part of the Distillery, but housed in a separate building down the road. In a three hour session, you'll learn about the history of gin before making your own bespoke gin blend — sampling gin cocktails the whole time, of course. You might need to sleep it off in that hotel after all...

Step into a time tunnel

©Museum of Brands. Photo: Julian Hanford

The centrepiece of the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is its Time Tunnel. Regardless of your age, you'll be walloped by a wave of nostalgia at some point, brought on by the Bovril cow or a bottle of Babycham.

For us though, the highlight of this museum is its garden, a secluded suntrap of greenery where kiwis are among the plants being grown. You don't have to pay museum entry to visit the garden — just get a drink at the cafe.

Pop into the Churchill Arms

The Churchill Arms. Photo: Mike T

If you thought the outside of this pub was eccentric, wait until you see the inside. The floral cacophony that is the Churchill Arms effectively doubles up as a museum — a museum of nothing in particular. Expect dangling nick-nacks, portraits of prime ministers, Irish paraphernalia and yet more greenery. You can peer inside the pub on this virtual tour, but it's worth stopping by for a pint (it's a Fuller's pub) for the full effect.

Bag a bargain

Photo: Michael Goldrei

Portobello Road Market is the best-known in the area, open all week but famed for its Saturday antiques market. While you're in the area, drop by Golborne Road Market — it has the same opening hours as Portobello, but tends to be a bit quieter. Go for food, fruit and vegetables in the week, or wait until the weekend for bric-a-brac, all in the shadow of the Trellick Tower. When you get peckish, head to the Acklam Village street food market under the Westway.

Get your skates on

Nestled under the arches of the Westway is BaySixty6 Skate Park, which runs regular skate sessions, classes, a skate academy and more. Check out what's coming up and book your place in advance.

Last Updated 26 May 2017