Notting Hill

Notting Hill is an area in West London, England, and close to the north-western corner of Hyde Park. It lies within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Notting Hill has a reputation as an affluent and fashionable area; known for attractive terraces of large Victorian townhouses, and high-class shopping and restaurants (particularly around Westbourne Grove and Clarendon Cross). Many people who conform to such stereotypes are often referred to as "The Notting Hill Set", "The Notting Hillbillies", and "Trustafarians" (White rastafaris, but with a trust fund left by their parents or family). Politicians who appeal to such voters, mainly on the conservative right, are often referred to as such. Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow Chancellor George Osborne have been labelled as such, often pejoratively.

However, it has an equally thriving "alternative" culture, exemplified by the numerous second-hand music stores around Notting Hill Gate. There are also areas of social deprivation to the north, sometimes referred to as "North Kensington", or the "Ladbroke Grove" area, from the name of the same street. Notting Hill is a cosmopolitan district particularly known as the location for the annual Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place in August. This is a large street festival and celebration of Caribbean culture, centred on parades of elaborately costumed dancers and colourfully decorated floats. The carnival was originally established in the 1960s as a positive response to tensions between the recently arrived immigrant community and the majority community, which culminated in the Notting Hill race riots. Notting Hill is also home to the Portobello Road antique market, which has become a major London tourist attraction. The market takes place each Saturday and attracts antique buyers and sellers, as well as tourists. In recent years the growth of the market and increasing tourist quota has led some to claim that quality has declined.

The area came to international attention with the release of the successful Hollywood movie of the same name. Notting Hill (1999) stars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. The movie uses the characteristic features of the area as a backdrop to the action, including the Portobello Road antiques market and enclosed square gardens. Source wikipedia

Save time & money with Hotels