As the largest antiques market in London, Portobello Road Market comprises a mesmerizing labyrinth of kiosks parading all manner of collectible items and unusual trinkets. The colorful façades of the houses go well with the district’s trendy and inclusive atmosphere. Enjoy the eccentricities of the market traders, as you peruse the trinkets for sale.
Marvel at the sheer range of antiques on display in the stalls that take over this neighborhood. Old clocks, chess sets and dolls adorn the stands. Search for works of art amid the handbags, jewelry and porcelain. Purchase postcards, stamps and photographs as souvenirs of your stay in London.
Sheltering some of the shops and stalls are various arcades dotted along the road. Enter these galleries for some of the district’s permanent stores. Stop at some of the market’s other fixed institutions in the form of the pubs and restaurants flanking the street.
While the main themes are antiques and collectibles, the market also provides a great range of food. Try some of the French artisan cheeses and cured meats. Purchase a take-away meal from Jake’s Vegan Steaks and sip smoothies from Portobello Juice. The lively market is bursting with color, from the pinks, reds, yellows and blues of the building fronts to the cartoonish wall paintings decorating the kiosks.
The antiques market and its arcades are in full flow from early morning on Saturdays until early evening. Expect to find a great range of stalls open on Fridays too, as well as a scattering of shops that stay open Monday through Saturday.
Portobello Road Market is just north of Notting Hill in the western part of London. Its stalls swarm over its namesake street and the narrow side alleys. Ride a bus to one of the nearby stops or take the Tube to Ladbroke Grove or Westbourne Park. Visit other nearby landmarks including the Carmelite Monastery Gardens, The Tabernacle and Trellick Tower.
