Notting Hill
Whilst many people will instantly think of Hugh Grant when ‘Notting Hill’ is mentioned, not everyone knows that it is one of London’s most fashionable neighbourhoods. Notting Hill began as an area known for its piggeries and pottery and was even previously known as being one of London’s ‘slum’ areas.
In 1840 the area became more residential with the construction of the Ladbroke and Norland Estates, by the end of the 19th Century began the building of the pretty white terraced houses we see so much today.
The area soon became one of London’s most desired places to live, however, in the early 20th Century it became overcrowded and crime was on the up… Racial tensions arose after World War II with increasing amounts of Afro Caribbeans settling in the area and Notting Hill was the first place in the UK that saw race riots in 1958.
In response to the riots and race tensions, Notting Hill Carnival emerged in 1966 to help combat the issues. The carnival is now one of the largest street festivals in the world, attracting over 1 million people over the August bank holiday weekend.
By the 1980’s, Notting Hill once again became an attractive place to live due to stylish architecture and leafy open spaces, the elite were moving back in…
Due to the pretty housing, cafe culture, up and coming businesses and more independent shopping opportunities, Notting Hill has become a visiting point for many, especially those partial to grabbing a shot for Instagram.
The rows of multicoloured houses you might have seen can be found along Hillgate Place, Hillgate Street and the adjacent roads…
Another place you might recognise is Portobello Road and Portobello Market, constructed in the Victorian era. Here you will find many restaurants and pubs as well as pretty architecture, curving through the city. The shops have been squeezed together, and each distinctive in their own right, this does make a great photo opportunity…
If your thirst for pretty streets hasn’t yet been quenched, from Portobello Road take a turn onto Elgin Crescent where the houses are more grandeur than simply just ‘cute’. Elgin Crescent is a street of houses built in the 1800’s and sharing pretty communal gardens, it was named after the town of Elgin in Scotland.
This is where my photo walk ended… my friend and I continued our wander and ended up in Westfield, a rather fantastic shopping mall located in Shepherd’s Bush.
