Your ultimate guide to Notting Hill film locations

The romantic comedy film Notting Hill was a huge hit in 1999 and is still a much-loved favourite by many today. The real Notting Hill is easily reached via the Central and District Tube lines. You can even hire a Borris Bike, which are found all over London to help people get around a little easier. Take a day to explore this charming area of London by visiting the Notting Hill film locations that helped make the movie so great.

Portobello Road

Portobello Road is a street running almost the length of Notting Hill from north to south. It is home to the Portobello Road market, the largest antiques market in the world with over 1000 dealers and a favourite London landmark. Attracting visitors from near and far, there is an extensive range of antiques to browse as well as fashion and food stalls. Saturday is the main trading day, and therefore it’s also the busiest! Children will love the variety of street performers entertaining the crowds, but be sure to keep your personal belongings safely hidden away as the crowded market occasionally attracts potential thieves. You will find the market just 3 kilometres from the Central line’s Marble Arch tube station. Each year in August, the famous Notting Hill Carnival begins on Ladbrokes Grove parallel to Portobello Road. Also found in this area are both the fictional location and real-life inspiration of the Travel Book Co., where store owner Will (Hugh Grant) meets and falls in love with Anna (Julia Roberts). The film version of the store can be found at 142 Portobello Road, while the actual travel bookshop was located just off Portobello on Blenheim Crescent.

Coronet Cinema

The Coronet opened in 1898 and quickly became regarded as one of the finest theatres in London. Now a cinema, the historic Victorian building is located at Notting Hill Gate and presents all the latest movies against a backdrop of true grandeur as it retains its original layout of stalls, upper tiers, dress circle and gallery. In Notting Hill, the Coronet is where Will watched Anna’s film Helix. There is a good 2.5 mile walking route which passes by the Coronet beginning at Notting Hill Gate tube station and ending at Holland Park tube station where you’ll also get to see some hidden sightseeing gems such as the home of author George Orwell.

Rosemead Gardens

This is the garden Will and Anna break into by climbing the wall and falling into the gardens on the other side (the wall is much higher in reality!). Unknown to some, Rosemead Gardens, like many others in London, is actually a private communal garden which local residents can access to but is not open to the general public. However, there are other gardens you can visit in London. The well-known Kensington Gardens are an equally, if not more, attractive place to visit with an excellent play area for the kids as well as walking trails the whole family can enjoy. With an abundance of plants and flowers to see and plenty of benches to sit and relax, it makes a great alternative to Rosemead Gardens.

Kenwood House

Previously a stately home, Kenwood House is located on Hampstead Lane in north London and provides the backdrop for the period movie shooting in the Notting Hill film. The house is architecturally stunning and it is free for visitors to go inside and see the many wonderful paintings and other collections of jewellery and portrait miniatures on display. In the gardens, there are several magnificent sculptures to be admired as well as a natural woodland area thriving with wildlife. Kenwood House also offers events such as music concerts and theatre performances during the year which the whole family will enjoy. Take a picnic, sit on the river bank, watch the entertainment and enjoy natural surroundings away from the buzz of the city.

The Ritz

Located at 150 Piccadilly, the Ritz is a world famous 5 star hotel. This is where Anna stays in the film and is one of the few times the Ritz has permitted filming on its premises. Known for pure class and elegance, the Ritz hotel has seen many famous faces pass through its doors since its opening in 1906. It is a popular spot to take a traditional English afternoon tea where you can sit in the grand dining room and enjoy miniature sandwiches, cakes and other sweet pastries for a relaxing afternoon. This popular service fills up quick so a reservation is necessary.

Other great Notting Hill film locations include the Savoy Hotel, Nobu Restaurant and Leicester Square where Will and Anna attend a film premiere together. Believe it or not, London has some excellent places to camp. You’ll find several in and around the city that make a perfect base for exploring these locations.