I’ve lived in Notting Hill a long time — about 15 years.
There’s something warm about it and it always feels like a community. You say hello to people you don’t really know but have been seeing around for years. It’s a diverse community and everyone who lives here is proud of living here and we look after it.
We are happy when places open and sad when they close.
Eating and drinking
There are too many great places: Mediterraneo on Kensington Park Road is a classic Italian that’s not too smart.
Bill Granger’s on Westbourne Grove is great for lunch and dinner — they do amazing shrimp burgers.
I’m gluten-free and they do a gluten-free bun, as do many of the Notting Hill restaurants. Dorian on Talbot Road does fantastic fish and Gold on Portobello Road is also great.
I’m not a massive drinker so I tend to drink at the places I eat. We’re so lucky, there are new places opening all the time.
Where I work out
I exercise at home, so I don’t go far.
To commune with nature
I do this in my garden. There’s not really a park like Hyde Park that you’d go to but, when you walk around on Portobello Road, there’s the feeling of nature with all the plants and the stalls. It’s a mix of nature and street life.
I’m a people-watcher, so when I get my orchids, I will chat to the guy who I buy them from and watch the people going by.
Grocery shopping
The Notting Hill Fish Shop on Westbourne Grove is where I buy all my fish and it’s amazing.
I go to Fabrique Bakery on Portobello Road for gluten-free bread, Notting Hill Farmers’ Market on Edge Street and the Spice Shop at Blenheim Crescent.
For my muesli, I go to Peel bakery on Portobello Road and Ottolenghi is great if you’re feeling lazy and want to buy something ready-made.
There are so many different places that you don’t get everything in one place in one go. It gives Notting Hill a villagey feel.
For a culture fix
When the carnival is on, there is so much culture everywhere. It’s so diverse. There’s not really a museum but part of life is the living place.
Getting around
I always walk. There’s no point driving. With walking, there’s so much to see and it’s like being on a mind map.
If I’m going elsewhere in London or into town, I always support the black cabbies. I have good chats with them.
Dream street
My dream street is probably the one I live on so I’m not going to tell you!
There are lots of dream streets in Notting Hill and lots I’ve still not seen. We live such blinkered lives, looking down and on our phones.
I’m constantly finding new things in Notting Hill: recently my partner found The Tin Shed on All Saints Road, which is just a stone’s throw from our house but I’ve never seen it before. You can walk past places so easily.
Something you only see in Notting Hill
The people here are really friendly and it’s so laid-back.
What’s the catch?
I try not to look at negative things. You’ve got to focus on the positives and not think about that.
In three words
Diverse. Village. Friendly.
Schools
Colville Primary School, Thomas Jones Primary School and Fox Primary are all located around Notting Hill and rated outstanding by Ofsted.
For secondary schools, there’s Kensington Aldridge Academy and The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School which are both also rated outstanding.
What it costs
Buying in Notting Hill
Average flat price: £1,154,380
Average house price: £5,303,090
Renting in Notting Hill
Average flat price: £3,300 pcm
Average house price: £9,000 pcm
