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With its colourful streets and graceful architecture, Notting Hill is one of London's most popular areas to live. Here's how to while away a full day in the area.
9am
Start your day the right way with a reviving freshly pressed juice from Granger & Co on Westbourne Grove. Whether you opt for fail-safe orange or a bold beetroot, carrot, fennel and apple juice, you’ll be sure to step out of the place with a spring in your step. They do a cracking Aussie cooked breakfast, too, which definitely lives up to the hype.
10.30am
Notting Hill in spring and summer is particularly beautiful. Make your way to Kensington Gardens by strolling through the residential streets; Dawson Place is stunning when the cherry blossom is blooming.
Once you’ve made it to Kensington Gardens, you’ll struggle to remember you’re still in Central London. Green-fingered type? Pick up tips on growing your own and organic gardening and make time to meet the resident chickens in the allotments. If history’s more your thing, search out the Peter Pan statue before you leave and swipe your phone on the nearby plaque to get a personal call-back from Peter himself.
12.30pm
Head back into town, via The Shed on Palace Gardens Terrace, and soak in the rustic atmosphere with reclaimed wooden tables and farmyard equipment. Sample their delicious and ever-changing homegrown menu, washed down with one of their Daily Loosener cocktails. Don’t worry; they most certainly do puddings too.
2pm
Who’s up for some serious retail therapy? Have a rifle through the Portobello Road antiques market. The stalls vary from day to day, but there’s guaranteed to be a great find whenever you visit. For a quieter, more food-focused vibe, head to Acklam Village on Saturdays and Sundays for live music and organic beers.
4pm
Shopped out? Not quite: before you go, visit the tiny Spice Shop on Blenheim Crescent, home to over 2,500 herbs and spices bound to pep up any meal you’ve got planned.
6pm
Love watching films in bed? Book the front-row bed for two at the Electric Cinema. But don't worry if that sounds just a little too intimate – more traditional armchairs and sofas are also available. Take in wine, beer or something bubbly, then sit back and relax.
8.30pm
Don’t eat too much gourmet popcorn; keep some room for dinner at The Ledbury. With two Michelin stars, it’s bound to impress, whether you try out the tasting menu or the more ‘relaxed’ four courses. Tad too fancy? The Cow on Westbourne Park Road serves a cracking Beef and Guinness Pie and some seriously delicious puds.
10pm
Still got a bit of spark left? Dance the night away with Tiki-tinged cocktails at Trailer Happiness, home to live DJs from Thursdays to Saturdays. Make sure you check out the next date for their monthly Rum Club before you leave; we’ve got a feeling you’ll be back.