Notting Hill is one of London’s most well-known areas with much to appeal to the visitor. Of course, the world famous street market is worth a look but there are many Notting Hill hidden gems that are worth visiting.
Notting Hill Hidden Gems
The area of Notting Hill is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The main areas in Notting Hill are Portobello Road, Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Green and North Kensington.
Notting Hill can get quite crowded during the famous Notting Hill carnival in August. Portobello Road Antiques Market is also often busy on Saturday, the main market trading day.
However, if you time your visit to avoid these days, the area is actually very peaceful. Here are some of the best secret Notting Hill spots that you shouldn’t miss.
1. The Churchill Arms
Boasting what is probably the most beautiful pub exterior in London, The Churchill Arms is adorned with flowers covering the facade. In fact, it’s a Chelsea Flower Show winner!
Known for its tasty Thai food, this popular London pub has a nice range of wine and real ales. Run by Fuller’s, it features a large bar and kitchen as well as outdoor seating.
Dating from 1750, this is one of the oldest pubs in London. Winston Churchill’s grandparents came here regularly in the 1800s and that is how the pub got its name. You can see quite a lot of Churchill memorabilia inside the pub.
Address: 119 Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 7LN, United Kingdom
2. Books for Cooks
This picturescque London bookshop specializes in cookery books as you might have guessed. However, it’s also a popular cafe and cookery school.
It famously featured in the movie Notting Hill with Hugh Grant. His character in the film, William Thacker owns an independent travel bookshop.
With a distinctive red facade, Books for Cooks was originally founded in 1983 by Heidi Lascelles. It’s now run by Rosie Kindersley and Eric Treuille and stocks hundreds of cookbooks from around the world.
Address: 4 Blenheim Cres, Notting Hill, London W11 1NN, United Kingdom
3. Farm Girl
One of the most Instagrammable cafes in London, Farm Girl is tucked away in a quiet courtyard off Portobello Road. Many tourists walk by without noticing the entrance.
Inside, you’ll find a light and airy space with decor created by UK designer Beata Heuman. In the courtyard, there are cosy sheep’s wool seat covers as well as outdoor heating.
There are now several branches of this popular eatery across London, however this is the original Farm Girl Cafe. Tuck into a fresh croissant, acai bowl or avocado toast.
Address: 59A Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 3DB, United Kingdom
4. The Coronet Theatre
This performance and arts space on Notting Hill Gate is housed in a magnificent Victorian building. There’s normally an interesting programme of fringe theatre, poetry readings and other events.
Address: 103 Notting Hill Gate, Kensington, London W11 3LB, United Kingdom
5. George Orwell Blue Plaque
At the top end of Portobello Road, close to Notting Hill Gate, is a blue plaque commemorating George Orwell, the famous novelist and political essayist. His real name was Eric Arthur Blair and he lived here for a year, often dressing up as a tramp and visiting the East London slums of the time.
The author of Animal Farm and 1984 later wrote about his experience in Down and Out in Paris and London.
Address: 22 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 3DH, UK
6. The Shed Restaurant
If you’re feeling hungry after all this sightseeing, there are some great places to eat in Notting Hill. The Shed is a casual eatery run by the Gladwin Brothers, serving up small plates and using foraged ingredients where possible.
The decor is quirky, featuring battered wooden signs and colorful furniture.
Address: 122 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, London W8 4RT, United Kingdom
7. Museum of Brands
Exploring the history of consumer culture, the Museum of Brands has the world’s largest collection of British brand memorabilia. A registered charity, the museum features items from Victorian times to the present day.
There’s a popular museum gift shop as well as a subtropical garden. An extensive series of conferences and events take place throughout the year.
Address: 111-117 Lancaster Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 1QT, United Kingdom
8. Ledbury Road Mural
This anonymous mural is really striking. Featuring a man with a bowler hat sitting on a park bench and reading a book, it is by an unknown artist.
Address: Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London W11
9. The Tabernacle
This Grade II listed building is a theatre, café and arts space located in a former church. The Tabernacle normally hosts a wide variety of community events. You can also enjoy a drink in the picturesque courtyard whilst admiring the unusual artworks.
Address: 34-35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, London W11 2AY, United Kingdom
10. Margaret Dabbs Salon
Tucked inside Space.NK, you’ll find Margaret Dabbs’ salon. Margaret is a trained podiatrist with a series of foot clinics, and a pioneer of the medical pedicure who noticed a gap in the market between traditional pedicures and medical interventions.
She created an award-winning range of hand and foot products, containing Australian emu oil, renowned for its healing properties. Expert nail technicians apply beautiful shades of varnish from the 72 in the nature-inspired collection.
Margaret recently developed her own range of vitamin-enriched nail polishes, presented in pretty bottles. The formula contains Vitamin E to strengthen nails and wild rose botanical extract to revitalise and prevent infection.
Address: 127-131 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London W2 4UP, United Kingdom
Final Thoughts on Notting Hill Hidden Gems
We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about these Notting Hill hidden gems. Despite the buzz of iconic events like the Notting Hill Carnival, there are plenty of lesser known places to explore. From its diverse eateries to its art venues and fascinating monuments, Notting Hill has something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic venue or a spot to take your family and friends, Notting Hill has something that all can enjoy. This list is just a few of our favorite places for discovering this exciting area, so be sure to explore more on your own time! For more London exploration tips, check out our other London articles on our website for some interesting ideas.
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I love Nottingham Hill. There is so much life, so much to see and do. The only thing that bothers me is the pollution in the air. You can feel it filling up your lungs. On a more positive note though, live the shade of your nails and The Little Yellow Door looks fab!
I’ve never noticed any pollution in Notting Hill, sounds like you were unlucky. The nail colour is great, isn’t it!
Looks awesome perfect pamper time
Beauty Candy Loves
I know, I felt very pampered!
Your nails look great! Notting Hill is aa fab place to explore, I love the Electric for a night out and The Ledbury for fine dining 🙂
They did a great job on my nails. I’m long overdue a return to the Electric and yet to visit the Ledbury
I have a photo with tabernacle from one of my early trips to London:))
It’s a great place, did you catch a show there?
This post made me want to watch Nottinghill and watch Shallow Hal haha!! The nail shade you’ve chosen looks lovely
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
Two great films! They steered me towards that shade as I’d probably have gone for the yellow but this one went better with my skin tone
You chose the perfect summer colour for your nails, it is one of my favourite colour! I’ve been to London quite a few times, however never visited Noting Hill, maybe the next time.
Ela BellaWorld
There’s so much to see in Notting Hill, make sure to viait the market if you go!
Looks like the perfect place to enjoy a pedicure. Amazing that they use vitamin – enriched nail polish – great colours too!
It’s a great idea, isn’t it! I was quite keen on the yellow shade
Ooh you’d definitely love it, Jalisa! It’s really well organised and afterwards, you could stroll around Notting Hill
Lovely post, thanks for sharing. Looks like a great place for a pedicure 🙂
Camille xo
www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk
I’d definitely recommend it, Camille, if you’re visiting London
This is so amazing, I would love to get a pedicure right about now
xo
www.laurajaneatelier.com
It’s a great idea, with Summer now here
The fact about open shoes is very interesting! I will keep this in mind for the future.
I must say that I’m steering away from open shoes now!
The Tabernacle looks like such a cool place. I’ve never seen it before! There are so many great places in this area of London!
It’s a great place, they also do live music nights I think
Notting Hill is just so cute- you can’t beat it!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Isn’t it just! Have a lovely weekend, Ashley
Margaret Dabs sounds fantastic and I love the application of 5 shades to help you choose the best varnish! Also I’m a firm fan of the Coronet – I used to visit on Wednesdays as they used to do a fantastic deal on that day of the week but not sure if they still do or not….
Not sure if the Coronet will still be showing films but they’re renovating it at the moment and doing theatre and poetry instead
Ooh thanks for the shopping tips, I’ll definitely check them out!
Nottinghill is lovely very unique and quirky. Sounds like a great nail bar, especially with the additional knowledge. I love their charity shops too Lucy x
I often take clothes to charity shops, so I must pop in there sometime!
I love Beach Blanked Babylon but there are *loads* of places on this guide that I have yet to try. I’m also in dire need of getting my nails done and so I now have the perfect excuse to head over to Notting Hill! xx
I miss Notting Hill so much! The mural is gorgeous and I would love to eat at any of the restaurants you mention
Http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com