In Kensington, the Portobello Road runs almost the entire length of the borough. Before it got its more famous name, it was known as Green’s Lane in the 18th Century. It was renamed after Portobello Farm in the Victoria era, and after residential developments were established in Paddington and Notting Hill, the farmland gave way to the expanding city. So what interesting facts can we find down this long and not-so-winding road?
Most Famous Door in Notting Hill
The blue door that belong to Hugh Grant’s house in Notting Hill can be found at 280 Wilbourne Rd. just off Portobello Road. It made its way into the film because screenwriter Richard Curtis used to live there. The original blue door was sold at auction and later owners painted the new door black as people kept writing on it. The current owners, perhaps loving the fame of their abode, repainted it to blue.
The Market
The Portobello Market is a large draw to the area. On Saturdays, market stalls set up most to sell antiques as well as produce. When it began in the 19th Century, it was dedicated almost entirely to fruits and vegetables. It starts at Golborne Road and goes for 940 metres to Westbourne Grove. In 1927, the market was extended from Monday to Saturday, despite the protest of the shops.
There’ll Be Fighting in the Streets
From Victorian times until the late 20th Century, Notting Hill was a predominantly working-class area. The 1950s saw it as a haven for slumlords and horrible flats. The late 1950s saw the neighborhood besot by race riots from the likes of the British Union, but as the 1960s dawned, it became a home for antique shops that started the process of gentrification. Today, the neighborhood is mostly known for its poshness.
Gold at the End
Portobello Gold may refer to treasure—or it could just refer to the beer served in this quaint pub. If you’re at the market on Saturday, you may have to search hard for it behind the market stalls, but the address is at number 95/97. The interior is a mix of traditional pub below, and jungle oasis up top.
Paddington
One of the road’s literary ties comes from author Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear, who loved to visit it every day. Owing to the area’s number of antique shops, Paddington’s friend Mr. Gruber owned one of them and the fictional bear would visit him for Elevenses.
A Holy Place
St. Peter’s Church was designed by Thomas Allom in 1855 and matches much of the surrounding buildings that were also designed by Allom. It was consecrated in 1857 and could hold 1,400 people. It is also Grade II listed.
Puerto Bello
The original name comes from a victory in the War of Jenkins’ Ear, a more minor confrontation between Britain and Spain that went from 1739 to 1748, with most of the hostilities ceasing around 1742. Admiral Edward Vernon captured the town of Puerto Bello in modern-day Panama (now known as Portobelo). Vernon Road still bears the admiral’s name and the farm was named after the location of his victory, which led to the name of the road.
Popular Setting
In addition to Notting Hill and Paddington Bear, the road has certainly left its mark on media. It has been featured in: Paulo Coelho’s novel The Witch of Portobello, the television programme Minder, the documentary Portobello: Attack of the Clones, and the Only Fools and Horses episode “Cash and Curry”, amongst other works.
Canal
The nearby Grand Union Canal is certainly a picturesque place for a visit. It was opened at Paddington Basin in 1801 and 20,000 people attended the event.
Another Film Location
Once you’re done with Hugh Grant’s house from Notting Hill, you can visit The Travel Book Co., also a real place located at 13 Blenheim Crescent. Unfortunately, the original book shop has closed and since been replaced with The Notting Hill Bookshop. Pretty sure the current owners don’t care for shoplifters either.
Author: John Rabon
John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.
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Portobello Road is also featured prominently in the Disney movie “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” with Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson. (a wonderful movie for all ages)
We lived just off of Westbourne Grove and my Mum an I went shopping down Portobello market every Saturday. My mum also loved the antique stalls. Lovely to read about it here.
We used to shop down Portobello Road every Saturday when I was a child.
I’ve been re-reading the Paddington books (forgot how funny they are!) and remembered how I always wanted to visit the market. I will try to make it on this upcoming trip. 🙂
I lived in Cambridge gardens,heathfield street,(before the war)
I Lived on Pinehurst court as an American just out of college. Loved this place and still go back to soak up the energy of this neighborhood. Great memories!
I lived in North Kensington and went to school in Portobello Road from 1947 to 1951. don;t know if school is still there but have many fond memories of the area
Shirley