An aerial view of London's Notting Hill

Things to do in Notting Hill London

By Ian Packham

Famous enough to have a movie named after it, west London’s Notting Hill has become one of the capital’s most respectable neighborhoods and forms part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

But that wasn’t always the case. It was once an area of piggeries and potteries, and went through various incarnations before becoming the attractive neighborhood for families it was always intended to be. Both cosmopolitan and multicultural, things to do in Notting Hill London are as varied as the shades that don the homes of Lonsdale Road and Westbourne Grove.

These colorful townhouses have been the backdrop for several blockbusters, alongside a selection of markets, galleries and a world-renowned carnival that will have you coming back for more. We’re sure of it!

Party time

Image of Carnival, Child, Female, Girl, Person,

Europe’s largest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival has been dazzling the crowds since 1965. Taking place over the Sunday and following Monday bank holiday in late August it is led by the neighborhood’s British West Indian community, who club together to create floats and costumes which wow year after year.

Ringing with the sound of steel drums and samba come rain or shine, there’s also plenty of Caribbean-inspired food and drink available throughout the two days of the event.

At other times of year you can get your fill of the latest beats at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Where once Charlie Chaplin performed you’ll now find listings that include emerging talent and household names despite its relatively limited capacity of 2000. Pearl Jam and the Rolling Stones have both hit the Empire stage at the height of their success.

Bag a bargain

Image of Cup, Animal, Canine, Mammal,

A great introduction to Notting Hill since it runs on a north-south axis for almost the entire length of the neighborhood, Portobello Road has become synonymous with its market. At its peak on Saturdays, its stalls run for close to one kilometer, which together with shop fronts packed with goodies makes it as stimulating visually as it is culturally and historically.

Saturdays sees the antiques stalls joined by a traditional fruit and vegetable market, fashion, vintage items and household essentials, which share a roster of appearances the rest of the week.

The closest Notting Hill – and London more generally – gets to a shopping mall is White City’s Westfield. Situated opposite BBC Television Centre it is one of Europe’s largest covered shopping centers, spanning the buyingg experience from the cheap and cheerful fashion of Primark to the high-end couture of Versace and Gucci.

Feel the grass beneath your feet

Image of Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Plant, Garden, Housing,

Although many of Notting Hill’s homes face out onto small communal gardens – sometimes reserved for residents alone – the neighborhood also includes two publicly accessible green spaces. The first is Holland Park, once the grounds of a Jacobean castle. A mix of landscapes, birds including peacocks delight in its dappled woodland, formal gardens look towards the remnants of Holland House and the Japanese Kyoto Garden adds another layer of interest.

The second is Kensington Gardens not far to the east. One of London’s key green spaces, with a children’s playground, statues and duck pond, it is also the location of Kensington Palace. Open to the public since 1899 and a functioning royal palace to this day, it was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and has also provided a home for Princess Diana and Prince William.

A design for life

Image of

It’s worth staying a little longer in Holland Park though, since the Design Museum sits on its southern boundary. Founded by designer Sir Terence Conran in 1989, it reopened in its present location in 2016.

A hyperbolic paraboloid roof acts as a further object of wonder beyond the museum’s collection of ‘everyday’ items in its permanent collection, whilst the lower floors are used to host temporary exhibitions on a broad range of design themes.

Taking a look at design over the ages from an alternative viewpoint is the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising. Starting in Victorian times – which began in 1837 – the museum explores how consumer culture has changed through displays totaling 12,000 individual items. If you’ve ever wondered how a box of Corn Flakes has altered over the ages, or how Cadbury purple came into being, you know where to head!

Let your hair down

Image of Neighborhood, City, Road, Street, Urban, Person, Bicycle, Vehicle, Flag, Shoe, Handbag, Plant,

When it’s in full bloom, The Churchill Arms on Campden Street does a very good impression of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, whilst the festive season results in a look normally only possible after an explosion in a Christmas decoration factory.

Unstoppably colorful, its pumps are also a good shout for sampling traditional British warm beer. Consider a pint of London Pride – named after a wildflower that appeared on the rubble of the Blitz.

Surviving equally unscathed was the Electric Cinema, so named because it was one of Notting Hill’s first electrically lit and powered buildings. First opening in 1910, it is also one of the UK’s first purpose-built movie theaters, making it one of the most evocative places in the capital to take in a screening.

Discover the best art around

Image of Female, Girl, Person, Teen, Art, Art Gallery, Head,

A one minute walk from Portobello Road, the spelling of Graffik Gallery tells you all you need to know about the sort of art establishment this place is – individual, contemporary and just a little bit edgy.

Specializing in high-end street art, its walls display some of the best graffiti artists of the moment – including Banksy. Should the world of the spray can grab you, they regularly host graffiti workshops and private masterclasses.

Westbourne Grove’s Maddox Gallery has been successful enough that it’s expanded internationally, though it all started right here in Notting Hill. They too have their finger in the Banksy pie, alongside works by Damien Hirst and Jean-Michel Basquiat, despite only being founded in 2015.

Visit the real Notting Hill with Go City

You probably won’t find Hugh Grant throwing an orange juice over you as in Notting Hill. Whilst this fictionalized version of the neighborhood has some truth to it – including the upper-class British accents – the only way to untangle fact from fiction is by visiting Notting Hill for yourself.

Travel with Go City and uncover the huge range of things to do in Notting Hill London and save big at the same time. From design museums to market banter, Notting Hill has it all.

Ian Packham

Continue reading

Friends exploring London together
Blog

Things to do in Shoreditch London

If you’re wondering about the things to do in Shoreditch London, know this first. Shoreditch is many things, but probably not the things you think it is. Technically part of east London, it feels more like an area of central London, lying just north of the Square Mile and its financial institutions. Likewise, Shoreditch is often described as being edgy and creative, but this shouldn’t be mistaken for dirty or seedy. By day the neighborhood throngs with young professionals working in the office blocks around the Silicon Roundabout – the UK’s answer to Silicon Valley. By night, its triangle of main streets is alive with bars and restaurants, as well as spots to dance the night away and seek out a comfy hotel bed. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Shoreditch has been an entertainment district since Shakespeare’s time. It was here – rather than the Globe – where his earliest and best-known plays were first performed – Romeo and Juliet, Henry V and Hamlet amongst them. Rub shoulders with market traders A couple of hundred meters south of Shoreditch, Old Spitalfields Market has been in operation since around 1666 – the year fire devastated much of central London. For centuries a wholesale market open only to traders, the early 2000s saw its redevelopment into a hub for the public. It’s Victorian era structures provide an atmospheric backdrop for seeking out everything from the latest fashions to street food. Open daily, the complex has a pop up vintage market every Thursday, a vinyl fair on Fridays and a mix of arts and crafts throughout the week. The backdrop of an otherwise ordinary terraced east London street is not necessarily where you’d expect the explosion of color that is Columbia Road Flower Market either. Each Sunday the narrow street becomes a jungle of plants, with connecting roads seeing a spillover of plants and café tables. Explore the Shoreditch of yesteryear Old Spitalfields Market isn’t the only attraction in Shoreditch to have undergone regeneration. Still known to many as the Geffryre Museum, but rebranded the Museum of the Home, this former almshouse on Kingsland Road explores home life from the year 1600 to the present day. Visitors are able to pass through rooms from multiple ages, including a drawing room from 1870 and a loft apartment from the late 1990s. The period gardens are a nice spot to escape the hubbub of Shoreditch High Street. Operating in a similar vein, Dennis Severs’ House has been dressed up into an approximation of a home of Huguenots in the 1700s. Protestants from France, the Huguenots are just one of a series of groups who have sought refuge in London’s cheaper neighborhoods alongside Jews and Bengali immigrants, creating one of the world’s most diverse cities in the process! Satisfy your hunger You only need to head as far as Brick Lane to experience this diversity in all of its aromatic glory. The heart of London’s Bangladeshi community, it has bilingual street signs and some of the best curry you’ll find in the capital. It has also become one of the top areas of the capital when it comes to street art, with works of graffiti spanning many buildings and side streets. For a whistle-stop tour of world cuisine, and a dose of fashion from independent stores with their finger on the pulse, make the short journey from Brick Lane across to Boxpark. Named after its formation out of converted shipping containers, its kitchens serve up everything from doughnuts to vegan-friendly dishes and Jamaican to South American cuisine. Take your pick of the bars Ask most people who know about the things to do in Shoreditch and they’re bound to tell you to hit the bars and nightspots of Shoreditch High Street and Old Street, where there is something for everyone. Traditional-style pubs line up alongside trendy cocktail bars and more than a few themed locales that will either have you jumping for joy or weeping into your craft brewed IPA. Hoxton Square is another destination to be aware of when it comes to all things wining and dining. Believed to be one of London’s oldest squares, it was laid out in 1683. Today most of its Victorian buildings contain a bar or restaurant whilst its lawns frequently host live events in the warmer months. Another Shoreditch structure that has reinvented itself over recent years is the Old Truman Brewery, which has become a home for creatives including fashion designers, DJs and artists. Its 10 acres of once derelict warehouse space has been put to good use with plenty of small shops and exhibition spaces in which to while away a pleasant hour or two. Delve into the art scene Spanning two stories of a former furniture warehouse, the Victoria Miro Gallery is one of the largest spaces in the neighborhood dedicated to contemporary art. With its back facing a canal basin, the gallery has represented two Turner Prize winners – Chris Ofili and Grayson Perry – amongst many other established and up-and-coming artists. Perhaps better known, the Whitechapel Gallery has been a public arts space since its unveiling in 1901. Nonetheless, its focus remains on contemporary art, having displayed Picasso’s Guernica in 1938 and hosting the first UK hanging of Rothko’s work in 1961. A further space to consider is the Flowers Gallery, whose 50 year history has led to the showing of over 900 exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography. Discover London’s Shoreditch with Go City Shoreditch has always been known primarily as an entertainment district. The sheer volume of bars and restaurants means it continues to attract revelers from across London. But don’t think that there aren’t additional things to do in Shoreditch London. Visit London with Go City and you can get incredible savings on admission to many of the capital’s top attractions. Outside of Shoreditch this means savings on entering everywhere from the Tower of London to St Paul’s Cathedral.
Ian Packham
The streets of London are often crowded with shoppers
Blog

Is London safe?

Although crime rates have risen in recent years, this shouldn’t take away from the fact London is one of the safest cities in the world. Its nine million residents move about without worrying much about their day-to-day safety, and the vast majority of its 30 million annual visitors go home with nothing but warm words for its attractions, if not the prevailing weather conditions. Is London safe? Broadly speaking yes, noting that nowhere can ever be declared 100% trouble free. With that in mind, here’s all you need to know about staying safe in London as a visitor to help ensure you don’t become one of the unlucky few who fall victim to a crime. How safe is London? Visitors to London face the same risks as in any big urban environment. So as one of the largest cities in Europe, it has its fair share of dodgy characters whilst ranking favorably against Paris, Madrid and Zurich when it comes to personal safety. Its crime statistics can be misleading for those who don’t know London well. For instance, the boroughs (neighborhoods) responsible for some of the capital’s most important landmarks, like the Tower of London and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre have some of the highest crime rates. What the statistics don’t say is that much of this crime takes place in residential housing estates away from these attractions. The crime figures related to supercool areas of the capital, such as east London’s Dalston, should be much more concerning for visitors. Pickpocketing is a particular problem. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the leafy suburbs around Richmond in the west are the safest. However, the best tip for any visitor worried about safety in London is to assume petty crime can take place anywhere, and act with caution accordingly. London’s global status means terrorism also sadly remains a threat, although the likelihood of getting caught up in an attack is tiny. There’s little you can do to mitigate against this threat except immediately call the emergency services on 999 if you see anything suspicious. Common threats to safety in London For the most part, staying safe in London is about following common sense and trusting your instincts. In other words, you shouldn’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home. Then the biggest risks you’re likely to face are currency counters with unfair exchange rates and looking the wrong way when crossing a road – the British drive on the left. The risk of pickpocketing or mugging is highest where large crowds congregate, since they provide criminals with plenty of cover. Keep a close eye on valuables in crowded spaces, and never place money or a phone in your back pocket. Being aware of your surroundings is always important. Criminals may attempt to steal your bank card and PIN through well-practiced distraction techniques at ATMs, whilst mopeds have been used for snatch and grab crimes against those using their phones in public. Use ATMs inside bank branches whenever possible – they are not usually hard to find. At the same time, never leave a bag unattended, for example, when going to a bar or counter to order food and drinks. Not only is there a risk of it being stolen, but also of it getting blown up by the bomb squad as a security risk. If you find yourself in need of help, you shouldn’t worry about approaching uniformed police officers. No officer can demand identification, nor will they issue fines to be paid on the spot. Any who do are scammers pretending to be plain-clothes officers. Is London safe at night? Increasingly becoming a 24-hour city, evenings in London can be sublime, with the city’s landmarks lit up and its pubs coming alive. Travel across Piccadilly Circus at midnight, and you could be mistaken for thinking it was the middle of the day. It’s best to stay on well-lit streets after dark all the same, which will often have the added security of CCTV cameras. If you choose to walk, do so confidently. Otherwise opt for London’s public transportation. Both its red buses and Underground trains are safe at night, though best avoided during the rush hours of 5 – 7PM because of overcrowding. Certain bus routes, usually denoted by an ‘N’, operate throughout the night to link major locations such as train stations. The main Tube network shuts down around midnight. But the advent of the Night Tube sees a service on some central lines night-long on Fridays and Saturdays. Alternatively, visitors can hail a black cab (licensed taxi) from the roadside. As they notoriously don’t like traveling south of the river, you can also arrange a minicab (radio taxi) by phone or uber via the app. All vehicles must clearly display a tamper-proof licensing sticker on the windshield. If they do not have one, you’re getting into an unlicensed vehicle whose driver will not have undergone the relevant checks. Is it safe to visit London as a single woman? Most women who visit London solo find the city a refreshing contrast to previous experiences traveling alone. Although there are only a handful of women-only spaces – including Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond on Hampstead Heath – being a single woman shouldn’t stop you ticking off your bucket list attractions. Contrary to popular opinion, most Londoners are quite happy to help if you get stuck – seeking out another woman will increase your chances of success further. Free walking tours and Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing buses provide the safety of a group. If you’re concerned about unwanted male attention in bars and pubs, wearing a wedding band can act as a deterrent. Venues will often have a security presence on the door to keep a lid on any trouble, whilst bar staff are increasingly aware of potential issues. The city’s plethora of loud and proud gay bars have long been known as a hassle-free night out for women should all else fail. Save on top London attraction admission Explore and save with Go City. Our Explorer Pass not only saves you money on London attraction admission but means you can leave your wallet at home, removing any worry about carrying around large amounts of cash!
Ian Packham
Shop fronts in Camden London
Blog

Things to do in Camden London

Linked with London’s various counter culture movements, Camden is much loved by those who believe they don’t fit in elsewhere, which, let’s face it, is all of us. It generally draws a younger crowd to its markets, live music venues, museums and green spaces. But if you’re wondering if it’s worth you visiting Camden, you’ll first want to know about the things to do in Camden London and what the area is all about. Camden, usually used to mean the Camden Town neighborhood, is an area of north London adjacent to Regent’s Park. Its quirky character – seeing young professionals rubbing shoulders with hipsters and dreadlocked wannabe revolutionaries – has attracted everyone from American poet Sylvia Plath to Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. Why? That’s exactly what we’re here to demonstrate! Go wild Camden contains over 160 blue plaques – denoting places where significant personalities have lived. However, it’s the neighborhood's non-human residents that capture the hearts of many visitors to north London. ZSL London Zoo is one of the world’s oldest and continues to be one of its most important conservation centers too. Visitors are able to get closer than ever before to Asiatic lions – of which only 400 exist in the wild, alongside gorillas and the creatures of London’s only rainforest. The zoo occupies the northernmost parts of Regent’s Park, one of London’s eight royal parks. Here visitors can take in the 12,000 individual roses that color Queen Mary’s Gardens each spring and summer, take a turn on the boating lake or wander across to Primrose Hill for views of the London skyline. Another spot to take in the quieter side of life in Camden is along the towpath of Regent’s Canal. Almost 14 km in length, the canal encircles much of north London, with some of its most picturesque areas being that within Regent’s Park and leading towards the market stalls of Camden Lock. Go shopping Forget the flagship stores of Oxford Street, Camden is all about its market stalls. Now primarily geared towards the tourist industry, you’re not going to be able to stock up on fruit and veg as easily as you once might have. However, you will have plenty of choice when it comes to books, clothing and street food. That’s because Camden actually has five markets within walking distance of one another. The most famous is Camden Lock Market, whose stalls are located around Regent’s Canal. For fashion, head to Buck Street Market, whilst antiques aficionados might prefer Stables Market. If you start to miss the big store names, you’ll find them – and a good number of independent boutiques – on Camden High Street. Go cultural Founded in 1932, Camden’s Jewish Museum recounts details of the life of London’s Jewish populations over the years. Its treasures include the Lindo Lamp – the first Hanukkah menorah known to have been made in Britain. Covering three stories of a row of buildings in Albert Street, it also has an important collection of artefacts from Auschwitz concentration camp and several significant works of art. A taste for modern and contemporary art is catered for at Cob Gallery, whose white walls are used to primarily represent emerging female artists based in the London area. The paintings and drawings hanging in the gallery offer perhaps the first chance to examine the work of artists sure to hit the mainstream sometime soon. An even greater range of artists can be discovered at the annual Frieze Art Fair, taking place each October in Regent’s Park. One of the highlights of London’s cultural calendar, the fair hosts over 150 galleries from around the world, dotting the park with large scale sculpture as paintings find a home in the temporary structure built purposely each year. Go for a bite to eat The constant stream of visitors to Camden means you only have to walk a few meters before catching the scent of food and drink from around the world. From traditional British fish and chips to Neapolitan pizza, Jamaican jerk chicken and Middle Eastern wraps, there’s something to tempt everyone’s taste buds. On the drinks front, Camden has its very own brewery, the Camden Town Brewery, whose core range includes the award-winning German style Hells Lager and Gentleman's Wit, a Belgian white beer with a hint of Earl Grey tea. What could be more Camden than that? For a trustworthy authentic pub to sample the brewery’s latest batches try the Hawley Arms, a pub Amy Winehouse liked so much she would serve behind the bar. A statue of her stands not too far away in Stables Market. Go for a night out like no other Based in a converted railroad shed where engines were turned and stored, the Roundhouse is a theater and auditorium hosting everything from performances of Shakespeare to the Britten Sinfonia and Bob Dylan. Meanwhile the Electric Ballroom is a stalwart of the indie music scene – with occasional performances by the likes of Ed Sheeran too. The Jazz Café provides a space for blues fans, and anyone with an interest in traditional English folk need only head to Cecil Sharp House to get their fill of the vibes. For nightlife in Camden combining cocktails and live DJs, check out Belushis, who has a laid-back afterwork ambience during the week, turning to a full-on dance-till-dawn ethos come the weekend. For ease of access alone – right opposite Camden Town Underground station – The Underworld is also worth mentioning. It welcomes an eclectic crowd ready to fill the dance floor when the top indie and rock tunes hit the speakers. Uncover the myriad things to do in Camden London By day and by night, there are a huge number of things to do in Camden London. But if you’re still looking for more to fill your days in the UK capital, the British Museum is just a short distance away, alongside the Curzon Bloomsbury Cinema and Freud Museum. Visit these attractions with Go City and you’ll make incredible savings on admission costs, meaning there’s even more reason to take in the sites of this small part of north London!
Ian Packham

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon