Portobello Road Market

Portobello Road Market is a street market in Notting Hill, with stalls spread across several sections of Portobello Road and extending to Golborne Road. The official market guide describes different specialities by section and day of the week: antiques and collectibles, clothing, vintage goods, food, new goods and food outlets. Friday and Saturday offer a fuller market experience; Saturday is particularly associated with antique stalls and the arcades being open. Visitors looking for antiques will find a different focus here from those exploring the food, vintage and food areas.

Portobello Road Market is not a single building, but a series of market sections in a densely built-up neighbourhood. The market guide describes stalls running from Westbourne Grove towards Golborne Road; there are also areas beneath the Westway and separate market spaces. The name therefore covers several local market offerings and groups of traders. To find your way around, it helps to break the route into sections rather than think of it as one market zone.

This variety of locations explains why different visitors experience different parts of the market. According to the operator, the southern end has antiques and arcades; further along the road are food, clothing and household goods, among other things; towards the Westway there are vintage goods, bric-a-brac and other specialist offerings. Golborne Road forms its own northern section, with shops, food and goods on offer. The basic layout places the different types of goods along the street.

The official market guide sets out the offering by day of the week. From Monday to Thursday, the regular street stalls are concentrated in a smaller area and mainly sell fruit, vegetables, household goods and some clothing. On Friday and Saturday, trading extends to further sections; Friday brings additional areas for antiques, food and vintage goods. Saturday is described as the busiest day and has the widest street-market offering, including the antique arcades. Friday and Saturday are the full market days; Saturday is the busiest and includes the antique arcades.

The official market guide describes the Sunday market as seasonal: market stalls are open during the summer months and on selected dates in December; at other times, there is no regular street market on Portobello or Golborne Road. Shops and independent market areas along the route have their own opening patterns. Bank holidays also follow a separate weekly schedule.

Portobello is especially well known for antiques and collectibles. The market operator gives textiles, ceramics, art, jewellery, books, silver and porcelain as examples. The antique arcades are between Chepstow Villas and Westbourne Grove and, according to the market guide, are open on Saturdays. Antique stalls also add to the offering on Fridays. The section and market day determine which types of goods take centre stage.

The operator lists antiques and collectibles from different periods and categories. These include textiles, ceramics, art, jewellery, books, silver and porcelain. Street stalls, arcades and shops provide different settings for these groups of objects; the changing selection is part of the pleasure of browsing.

The market also offers food, clothing, vintage fashion, household goods and places to eat. The market guide describes food and market stalls in several sections, while further offerings such as vintage goods and street food can be found beneath the Westway. Golborne Road has a character of its own and is more than just the end of Portobello Market. This variety makes the street market part of the neighbourhood and a longer walk, not just a place to shop for antiques.

There is plenty of choice when it comes to food, too. Food stalls and street food can be found on Golborne Road and throughout the market. The food area in Golborne complements the antiques, vintage goods and new items along the route. The market brings together shopping, food and a stroll through the neighbourhood.

You can plan your visit around your interests. If you are looking for antiques, head for the southern section of the market and the arcades. If you want to experience food, clothing and general market life, the busier trading days offer more. Saturday is the busiest market day; Friday also has a wide selection, while the street market is smaller on other days of the week. Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate are useful access points, although the exact walking distance depends on the section you choose to visit.

Portobello Road Market is part of a lively residential and commercial neighbourhood. You can combine a visit to the market with a walk around the area without treating the street market as synonymous with all of Notting Hill. The market route does not end at a single landmark either; it connects with local streets and shops. A good guide therefore explains the route, the different trading days and how to combine your visit with a meal or a look around the shops.

When is Portobello Road Market at its largest?

The official market guide describes Friday and Saturday as the full market days; Saturday is particularly associated with antique stalls and the arcades being open.

Is Portobello only an antiques market?

No. Depending on the section and day, there are also food, clothing, vintage goods, household items and places to eat, alongside antiques and collectibles.

Is Golborne Road part of the market area?

Yes. The market guide and the council’s Markets Plan treat Portobello and Golborne as connected but distinct market areas. Portobello and Golborne remain distinct market areas, each with its own range of goods and street sections.

• Antiques and market days in Portobello