London Walks - exploring Notting Hill

Starting at the original tollgate entrance to London, we will go down the "hill" looking at the plush Victorian development created by the visionary James Ladbroke to include some of London’s largest private “Pleasure Gardens.” You will hear about notorious and wretched slums, failed racecourses, and hard times that helped shape the luxurious Notting Hill we know today.

We will look at how art and music have defined the area, and where Jimi Hendrix lived and breathed his last. We'll see some of London’s most colourfully painted houses, visit the markets, and walk in the footsteps of London's biggest celebrities. We will hear about the culture of millionaire mansions, whilst always keeping a keen eye for any celebrities who might pass us by!

You'll go from visiting gorgeous private gardens to the famous markets of Portobello Road, and you'll explore sights from the 'Notting Hill' film. Learn about the eclectic history, the roots of the biggest carnival in Europe, and the art and musical history that Notting Hill is famous for.

What we cover on the Notting Hill Markets and Culture Tour:

• Sights from the Notting Hill film
• Trade Shops
• Street Art and Banksy
• Music History (Where Virgin Started)
• Carnival and Cultural History
• Windrush History
• Quirky Market Stalls
• Celebrity spotting (maybe)

Where: Meet your guide outside the McDonalds near Notting Hill Gate (MAP).  If you are coming by London Underground, take EXIT 3 from Notting Hill Gate Station.

Duration: Approximately 2 hours.

Cost: This tour is free to take, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done.