NOTTING HILL


Welcome to the first of several posts that inevitably feature the classic British heartthrob of the modern era - Hugh Grant. Disclaimer: love him or loathe him, I make no apologies.
I love this film. It may be one of the absolute cheesiest movies ever made, but every viewing is a delight and there is something universal about the fantasy of falling for somebody famous - and having them reciprocate.
Sure we overlook the fact that Hugh Grant is simply too attractive to portray the somewhat 'normal' guy, and the questionable universe that allowed a struggling bookshop owner to afford real estate in one of London's snazziest suburbs.

 That being said, it has been 20 years since Hugh Grant's sensitive, bumbling William Thacker met world famous American actress Anna Scott (played by Julia Roberts), and the legacy of the film continues to thrive.
The place that has profited the most from this is of course the titular neighbourhood of the film, where (fun fact) the screenwriter Richard Curtis hails from. One of the best parts of this film is the fact that many of the places that were depicted are actually where the film was shot (not using some parts of the city to stand in for others). This makes it a great film to scout locations for a day.
Most of the film takes place in Notting Hill, but a few other London destinations pop up from time to time.

Here we go, it's time to make like Hugh Grant and hopelessly stumble through the neighbourhood to these must see places from Notting Hill!

WILLIAM'S FLAT AKA THE BLUE DOOR
Pretending to be Hugh Grant

Ask anyone who's seen Notting Hill what the most iconic image is, and chances (my absolutely non-scientific survey) are 99% of people will say the blue door.
Will Thacker lives in a Notting Hill house around the corner from his book store (more on that next) with his ridiculous roommate Spike. It is inside that his and Anna's relationship begins to form. Now, the interiors weren't shot at this location but when I say this door is famous - I mean it. The original door from the film was sold at auction years ago, and for a long time the private owners painted the door black to deter tourists. However, in 2013 there was a change of heart and they kindly repainted the door blue.

 Tips and Tricks: Just around the corner from Portobello Road (more on that next too), the property is easy to get to - just get off the tube at Notting Hill Gate underground and follow the market until you reach Westbourne Park Road. If you get lost and don't have a map on you - just ask a shopkeeper, they've been getting the same question for years.

 This is a popular tourist destination and there usually is a line. I went during an off-peak time of day and luckily there were only a few other fans about - something I would recommend. That being said, being a residential area remember to be quiet and respectful (my friends and I once got yelled at outside of Carrie Bradshaw's apartment in New York, my guilt continues) and also to be swift when taking photographs - there's nothing worse than waiting 10 minutes for another group of tourists who are taking their sweet time with various poses. This is a public area so it's free to visit.
One more fun fact: the house was once owned by the screenwriter Richard Curtis, and since the film the property value has increased to the millions.

WHERE TO GO: 280 Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill, London W11 1EH
TIMES: Public area so technically 24/7, but I would suggest daylight and better yet off peak times to avoid the crowds.

THE TRAVEL BOOKSHOP

Will Thacker owns an independent travel book shop, and this is where his character first sees Anna. It also sees the deliverance of the most iconic line in the film - you know the one I'm talking about. Following the blue door, this is the other integral location from the film, and cements the quirky status of Notting Hill - as a neighbourhood in the film and in reality.


What makes this location interesting to scout is that the place of filming and the inspiration for the location are located in close proximity to each other. So, technically this counts as two locations.
Zoom in - with my Notting Hill tote
Firstly, there is the location used to film. 142 Portobello Road is a gift shop, however it was redesigned as the Travel Bookshop for the film. Despite never actually being a bookstore, the shop is a popular destination for tourists and film fans - even hosting the sign on the exterior 'The Travel Book Shop' from filming.

 Now, the real book shop and the inspiration for Richard Curtis is located nearby at 13 Blenheim Crescent, less than a block from Portobello Road. If you, like me, are an avid reader - this is a MUST destination. The original Travel Bookstore closed down in 2011, however has since reopened as The Notting Hill Bookshop. Cute and cosy, the store embraces its cult status with all things Notting Hill - and of course you can score a great read whilst you're there. 

Tips and Tricks: I purchased a book and also a cute tote bag for some memorabilia - they come in different colours and fabrics, plus it's cheap, only 10 pounds! If you are stuck on buying the family souvenirs back home, this tote makes for a great gift idea. Happy reading!

A pic I took outside the bookshop

WHERE TO GO: The original filming location and gift shop is located at 142 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2DZ
The Notting Hill Bookshop is located at 13 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, London W11 2EE
TIMES: 142 Portobello Road is open all week from 9am-9pm
The Notting Hill Bookshop is open Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

        https://www.thenottinghillbookshop.co.uk  


PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET

How many times am I allowed to use the word delight in this post? Similarly with the books, I am a devout fan of local markets, which makes London a great place to be. None are quite as colourful and quirky as the Portobello Road Market, which is the world's largest antique market. With a range of antiques, hot food, fresh fruit and vegetables, second hand clothing, boutique soaps and skincare and homemade fashion stores, this market is worth a decent portion of your day to wander and explore. Set against the pastel shopfronts of Notting Hill, you can recreate the clever shot with Will strolling through the seasons with the market as the backdrop.


My friend Emma and I at the market
Tips and Tricks: Open everyday except Sunday, the busiest day is on Saturday. I would suggest bringing your own shopping bag (or buying that tote from the bookshop) just in case - it is highly likely you will make a purchase, and we love being environmentally friendly! Bring your phone and camera fully charged - the colour of the houses and the business of the markets make for a fantastic happy snap to send Mum and Dad when they ask "what you’ve been doing". 

 Also I would suggest bringing an umbrella - the market is outdoors and this is London after all! The best ways to get here is to get off at Notting Hill Gate tube station and walk 10 minutes - there are signs or you can always follow the crowds, also google maps is a godsend. Ladbroke Grove station is only a four minute walk to the centre of Portobello Road. Also, the following bus lines stop in or near the market: 7,12, 23, 27, 28, 31, 52, 70, 94, 328 & 452.
Need more info? The Portobello Market website is meticulously organised - down to which day prioritises what stalls, and where to find them. I have attached the link below.

WHERE TO GO: Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11
TIMES: Monday to Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday 9am-1pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday closed

THE SAVOY

Moving out of Notting Hill now, we arrive to more central London where the climax of the film occurs. After a confusing and speedy car ride, Will arrives at Anna's press conference in The Savoy to declare his love for her in a room full of reporters. The readers of Horse and Hound were delighted (there it is again), and as were romantic comedy fans the world over.

Tips and Tricks: The Savoy Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in London. Located on the North Bank of the River Thames, it is central to the city and allows close access to public transport and tourist hotspots alike. If you already have accommodation but want to feel like Julia Roberts for the day, I would suggest experiencing one of the many restaurants or bars. I walked past the hotel (the cheap student option) but the American Bar was voted the World's Best Bar in 2017. The oldest surviving cocktail bar in Britain, it may be worth checking out if you've saved your dollars and want to experience a suave night out. 


WHERE TO GO: The Savoy, The Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
PRICE: Not cheap, depending on the room/suite prices per night for The Savoy can be anywhere from 700 pounds or more!

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Here are some honourable mentions of other places in the film that we can catch a glimpse of:
  • The Ritz (this is where Anna is staying whilst in London)
  • Trafalgar Square
  • The National Gallery (definitely worth a visit, I took the video below whilst inside)

So there we have it, enough destinations to fill a charming day exploring Notting Hill. And who knows, maybe you too will bump into the movie star love of your life? Only time will tell! 

 I've attached a map below ⇓


https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VPplKJ3bkfpc1lovo0a0xkVK3jfcvEZg&usp=sharing 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts