Portobello Road
Portobello Road was known prior to 1740 as Green’s Lane. In 1740 a farm was built in the area and was named Portobello Farm after the the popular victory of Admiral Edward Vernon who in 1739 captured the Spanish town of Puerto Bello (Panama) during the war of Jenkins Ear between the British and Spanish 1739-1748.
Green’s Lane became Portobello Lane and connected Portobello Farm with Kensal Green. Portobello Road came to being during the construction period of the Victorian era.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market is London’s renowned antique market, it is said to be the largest of its kind in the world … if not the largest then definitely the most famous. It is held outdoors along Portobello road every Saturday – which is also the best day to visit, the antiques arcades will also be open. The surrounding shops are open six days a week.
This is a fascinating market and everything can be found here, a fantastic vibrant place to find antiques, lovers of bric-a-brac and kitsch (like myself) will also do well here.
The main section of the antiques market stretches from the pastel painted terraced cottages on the Chepstow Villas crossing to the Elgin Crescent crossing by the Duke of Wellington Pub.
Hugh Grant’s ‘travel bookshop’ made famous in the film Notting Hill (now another shop) can be found at 142 Portobello Road, his house with its once famous blue door can be found around the corner at 280 Westbourne Park Road.
