| Portobello Road
by Mandy C
'Portobello Road - street
where the riches of ages are sold'. are the words David Tomlinson
sang in the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks - and the
description suits this market completely.
This bustling and alive market
stretches the full length of this long road and as you walk
along it evolves from selling customized young designer fashion
through to antiques - with a few surprises thrown in. I have
been lucky enough to experience this market both as a (dedicated!)
shopper and from the other side of the stall - selling some
artwork. I have to say that either way you approach this famous
street market you will find friendly and helpful people -
and as we know that is what makes a shopping trip an experience
after all.
If you approach the market
from Ladbroke Grove tube on a weekend - follow the
crowd! They will lead you over the road and down Thorpe Close.
It is a narrow lane with stalls either side, so hold on to
your bag and enjoy the atmosphere! There always seems to be
a stall pumping out good tunes (if you are lucky!) and the
stalls mainly have young fashion designers selling
their take on the seasons latest. This is the best place to
come if you are street savvy and stylish - you will find clothes
that are gorgeous and unique!
Portobello Green is
along Thorpe Close - this is a mini-mall collection
of small shops and boutiques. Again - these shops are mainly
young or new designers and you can buy a wide range of items
from clothing to jewellery - even to cushions with pictures
of poodles on! Very kitsch!
Just before you launch onto
Portobello itself - there is a covered marquee with many stalls
to browse through - these seem to have mainly second hand
and retro designer goods - hence the word 'browse!' Lots to
see, and lots to uncover - much fun to be had!
Landing on the 'bella - you
may see a melee of stalls facing every which way but skyward
- but there is method in the madness here. Turn left and the
stalls veer into bric-a-brac - some items look like they have
recently been found in an allotment shed where as some look
like they have been found at the Palace. If retro and collecting
odd items is your 'thang' then this will be your idea of a
slightly mouldy heaven.
Turn right however and the
stalls that line the road will be offering you everything
from stripy socks to household items. There are great fruit
and vegetable stalls along here, as well as gorgeous bunches
of flowers, fresh fish and cheese - it is all more than tempting
and great to see. The shops alongside the road range from
boutiques to quirky gift shops - but it is at the end
of this historic road and towards Notting Hill where the real
fun begins! Lose yourself in the wonders and treasures of
yesterday, for this is where the antiques of the past
make wonderful additions to our present and future. Happy
hunting!
- The market is open from 8.00am until 6.30pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
- Thursday is a half day closing at 1.00pm
- Saturday it is open from 8.00am to 6.30
pm
|
Notting
Hill Features 
