Ailsa’s Travel Theme for this week is Street Markets. A few weeks ago we made our way to Portobello Market. Portobello Road is located in the Notting Hill district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. On Saturdays it hosts one of London’s most famous street markets. The market started in the 19th century and sold fresh food. In the 1940s and 1950s, antiques dealers started to appear. Today you can find just about anything, but it still sticks to its roots and fruit and antiques are still available.
I first learned of the market when I was a child when I watched the film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Ever since then I had wanted to visit it. Even though it was sprinkling on the day we visited it could not put a damper on my mood. I enjoyed seeing and observing all of the craziness. If you are not a crowd person, this may not be the outing for you. However, if you can handle the crowd I would recommend it. And if you need to take a break, there are a few pubs you can pop into. Also one of the stands sold mulled wine and I indulged. Mulled wine, a rainy day, and exploring a place I fell in love with when I was a child…life doesn’t get much better.
50 Year Project 
It looks amazing! All those wonderful stalls with treasures to look at! I would be in heaven!
And there were teapots!
Perfect!!!
I love the street markets!
I love street markets, too.
It is a great way to people watch and to learn.
Thanks, Mara! (I visited your blog, but tried three times and still could not leave a comment on your terrific doors! Sorry! 😦 )
Me too!
I love too these street markets, you did a great post dear TBM, Thank you, love, nia
Thanks Nia!
I had to go there myself when I was in London, after seeing the movie Notting Hill. I loved it! Great pictures!!
I do love the film Notting Hill. Thanks!
I have never been to the street markets in London, only a few here in the US and TONS of open air markets in SE Asia. I love seeing all the wares and people selling directly to other people, reminiscent of the days before online shopping existed
I do love the history feel to them…that makes them so special. Thanks!
Looks like a great poke-about!
I was amazed by the variety.
I enjoy street markets – there is always an air of festivity about them.
I learned that in August there is a big festival on Portobello that I want to check out. Hopefully that will work out.
All of that fresh food is making me hungry. Looks like it was a delightful day to be out and about, too.
It was nice and cool day for me. And I didn’t include any of the photos of all the food vendors…you would really be hungry.
I heard about this market, but haven’t been there yet. I’ve got lots of homework of places to visit in London, perhaps that is the sign I have to come back oneday 😉 I used to live in the east and nearly everyweek I visited street market in Walthamstow. One pound a bowl! You will hear the sellers offering their products – oh, nostalgic 🙂
There are so many places to see in London that it can feel overwhelming at times. It will takes years and years to feel like I’ve done as much as I can. I hope you make it back to London. One pound a bowl…that sounds like a bargain.
That looks like such a fun place. I’m sure nobody could go home from there without finding something that appeals to them! By the way, I used to watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks all the time when I was little. I really loved that movie!!
It is such a great movie. I can’t even guess how many times I’ve seen it. Let’s just say a lot!!
Street markets is always an adventure on its own. I love to walk around and see what they sell. This market really looks fabulous – look at the fresh vegetables!
I was really impressed by all of the stalls…so well organized and fun to see.
Portobello Market is always so much fun with all those antiques. My favourite shot is the one with all the posters 🙂 xxx
I’m a sucker for posters…they are all over my flat. I haven’t bought any from Portobello yet, but it is only a matter of time. Thanks!
Awwwwwwwww…makes me think of Hugh Grant it does !
I love that movie…the Travel Bookshop from Notting Hill closed, which is sad.
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Nice market. It’s clean. Not like many market in Indonesia. Well, they are everywhere tough.
I hope to visit Indonesia!
Those are fun to visit. This looks like a great place and activity!
The farmers markets will be starting up here soon.
I do miss the Haymarket in Boston…that was a huge farmers market that occurred every Friday and Saturday all year. It has a lot of character.
Haha Portobello road! I was watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks the other night. Such a great movie! I love all markets but this one seems to have everything that I love in a good market. 🙂
That was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid…and I loved Mary Poppins. I haven’t watched either in years though.
I love markets… there is a local one near my place and I’m usually there early every Saturday:)
It is a great way to get your shopping done…festive and local.
My accountant is just off Portobello Road. I usually go in the week when there are just the shops and the vibe is very different. The Oxfam shop nearby has some great bargains!
I will have to check it out when the market isn’t occurring. The neighborhood looked lovely and I would like to explore it more without the crowd. And thanks for the tip about Oxfam!
We missed this by a few hours last time we were in London. Thanks for taking me there!
I’m sorry to hear that…maybe next time 🙂
Wow!! the market is sooo clean…unlike my country’s market
There were lots of pigeons to help with the cleanup.
I hope to go poking about there next year! Lovely pictures1
I think you will love it!
I simply adore street markets. This one looks fabulous!
It is a fun one!
Beautiful shots!
Thanks Hook!
Great choices TBM!
Thanks Gilly!
It´s been so many years since I´ve been to this market…thanks for “taking” me along with you!
I’m glad I could help…I bet you have some great markets in your area.
Great post and pics! Many years ago when I moved to London from the US I walked through Portobello with my Dad and Grandma. I spied a suit of armour (yes, a full-on suit of armour) and after debating for 20 minutes (and with my Grandma’s encouragement) I bought it! Ever since then Portabello Road puts a huge smile on my face!
That is a great story…how cool that you own a suit of armour that you purchased from Portabello Road.
I love markets! This one would probably send me straight onto cloud 9, and I’ll spend the whole day browsing. 🙂
You could spend many hours browsing and don’t forget to have a pint to stay hydrated 🙂
looks like a fun market, great photos
Thanks. It was fun to visit a place that captured my imagination when I was a child.
This week’s travel challenge is a tricky one, but I bet you’re up to it! xxx Ailsa http://wheresmybackpack.com/2012/06/01/rhythm/