Portobello Road Market is London's famous flea market.
Filled with everything from vintage trinkets and second-hand games to fresh fruit and flowers, it's no wonder this market is adored by locals and tourists alike.
Focus on this popular venue.
Portobello flea market: article summary
Portobello flea market: in brief
Portobello market is north of the subway station. Notting Hill Gate. If one thing is certain, it's that the world's largest antiques market lives up to its impressive reputation.
Over 1,000 stalls line the road, selling absolutely everything you could possibly want. However, the main attraction of this London market is the antique section.
Open Fridays and Saturdays, Portobello Road is the ideal place to stock up on pretty homewares and vintage jewelry.
The different sections of Portobello market
Fancy braving the crowds and grabbing a bargain? Although Portobello Market is, and always will be, primarily an antiques market, it has much more to offer.
Once you've explored the antiques section of the market, I suggest you head to the food court that stretches along Golborne Road. Here you'll find plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as stalls filled with bread, cakes and fine cheeses.
Hot dishes from around the world also join the line-up on Saturday. But be sure to save room for the churros, they're divine.
Another large part of the market is dedicated to fashion. It's not unusual for young designers to visit Portobello Road to sell their ultra-cool creations and make a name for themselves.
You'll also find classic bric-a-brac and second-hand goods at Portobello Market.
The history of the Portobell flea market
Although today Portobello Road Market is a vibrant hub for all things hip and cool, its long and interesting history proves that it wasn't always one of London's trendiest spots.
The market began life as a simple country lane known as Green Lane. It actually takes its name from the nearby Porto Bello farm, located on what is now known as Golborne Road, and owes its name to Porto Bello in Panama, a region conquered by the British in 1739.
For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, this winding country lane has remained unchanged.
The area that was to become Portobello Road had not yet undergone the kind of redevelopment that was occurring in other areas such as Paddington.
The emergence of the population around this district
The market was primarily a food center for residents until the 1940s, when the "ragpickers started selling bric-a-brac.
This led to the beginnings of Portobello Market, which has forged a name for itself as a mecca for antiques.
The Portobello Road market as we know it today was born.
How do I get to Portobello market?
The market is located between the metro Notting Hill Gate and Ladbroke Grove. From either, it's less than a ten-minute walk.
What are the opening hours of the Portobello flea market?
Current market opening hours are as follows:
- From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday
- From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday
- From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday
If you're looking for a rare and unique piece, I recommend a visit to the Portobello flea market. Here, you can quickly find what you're looking for and make your vacation a real treasure hunt.
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