LONDON

Area Focus: Portobello Road, W11 By Beatrice Yeatman-BiggsWHY? Portobello Road is known for its cosmopolitanatmosphere, community feel and street market, sellingeverything from antiques to fruit and vegetables.Meandering through Notting Hill, it’s flanked byinteresting shops, cafés and brightly coloured houses.WHEN? Saturday is the market trading day, but there’sstill lots to do during the week. The vibrant Notting HillCarnival, led by the West-Indian community, will takeplace in Notting Hill from 25-26 August this year.INTERESTING ATTRACTIONS1 The Museum Of Brands, Packaging AndAdvertising traces iconic brands from Victorian timesto the present (2 Colville Mews, Lonsdale Road, W112AR. 020 7908 0880. museumofbrands.com).One of the country’s oldest cinemas, the 2 Electric,featuring sofasand a bar, is aluxurious location(191 PortobelloRoad, W11 2ED. 020 79089696. electriccinema.co.uk).5UW ELADBROKEGROVE STATIONS T W A YW EST BOURNE PARK ROADL ADBROK E G ROVE2P O R T O B E L6L OR O A D41L ONSDALE ROAD3SUPERSTAR BARFamous for its ingeniouslycrafted cocktails and on-site GinMuseum (the second smallest inLondon), the 6 Portobello Star isunderstandably a popular hangout.Simply and tastefully decorated,this chic bar is the ideal place foranyone who wants to soak up thebohemian atmosphere of NottingHill. The museum upstairs evenoffers gin blending classes (171Portobello Road, W11 2DY. 020 7229 8016. portobellostarbar.co.uk).LOCAL HISTORYBuilt in 1740, the area of Portobello was originallya farm, its name deriving from the Caribbean’sPuerto Bello, in memory of a popular victory whenthe town was captured in 1739 during the War ofJenkins’ Ear. Before 1850 Portobello Road was acountry lane connecting the farm with its northerncounterpart Kensal Green. When crescents andterraces sprang up in the late 19th century, itbecame inhabited with shops and markets.QUIRKY SHOPS3 Chloe Alberry specialises in door andcabinet fittings, ranging from those madefrom crystal to cricket balls (pictured).Hooks, doorknobs and mirrors are alsoon offer in this treasure trove of objects(84 Portobello Road, W11 2QS. 0207 727 0707. chloealberry.com).Another curious destination is the4 Portobello Print & Map Shop,for original antique pieces andengravings (109 PortobelloRoad, W11 2QB. 020 7792 9673. portobelloprintandmap.co.uk).FABULOUS FAREThe 5 Portobello House Bistro, with its eclectic, warmdecor and homely ambience, is the ideal place to gofor breakfast, lunch, dinner, or simply a relaxing cupof coffee after a wander down Portobello Road. Theaffordable menu offers imaginative dishes, includingEnglish classics. Both the presentation and quality ofthe food is excellent. A great selection of real ales andcocktails are also on offer, should you feel in need ofsomething stronger (225 Ladbroke Grove, W10 6HQ. 020 3181 0920. portobellohouse.com/bar/).PORTOBELLO ROAD IMAGE © VISIT BRITAIN; 1950S WASHING POWDERS COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM OF BRANDS, PACKAGING AND ADVERTISING; DOOR KNOBS © CHLOE ALBERRY; PORTOBELLO ROAD GIN © PORTOBELLO STAR;PORTOBELLO HOUSE IMAGE © PORTOBELLO HOUSE BISTRO20| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|May 2013