Travelers Company

I love markets, and I take any and every opportunity to visit one. Some time back I visited London’s Portobello Market, and as expected, I fell in love with it. Here are a few reasons why:

Location – The Market is situated in London’s upmarket Notting Hill district (yes, the same as the movie). Along the winding roads, a row of neat pastel establishments (homes, stores and business stops) greet you on arrival. This street wears a distinctive ‘European look’ as opposed to the big city rush London generally displays.

Antiques – The Saturday antique market (which began around 1960) is the highlight of this market. You can spend an entire Saturday, and then one more, browsing and crushing over the articles on display. Mind you some of the antiques on offer can be a tad pricey, and others can be a tad fake; pay attention, look around and don’t rush into a purchase.

The Orwell Home – George Orwell, one of my favourite writers, lived in one of the pastel homes here in 1927. Ok so he spend very little time here, and produced no significant work while living here, but it is a part of his history, and so I guess it works. The house, though, looks a bit too cheerful to be Orwellian.

Alice’s Shop – You can’t really miss Alice’s Shop. And once you see it, you can’t miss taking a picture of it. It has, over the years, becoming a local landmark.

Quirky Stalls and Displays – The quirky English attitude is on display at the Portobello Market. Ignore your aching feet and explore every inch or you’ll miss out on true gems like the Royal Family, the political elite  (see photo), vintage knick-knacks (stuff you’d never use but will want to buy), old dusty books, impressive graffiti, and a lot of character. In addition you could also catch a movie or join a belly dancing class!

Great Food – Eventually, everything comes down to the food on offer, and in this department Portobello Market doesn’t disappoint. From little cafes and muffin shops to roadside stalls serving fresh goodies (try the hot crispy crepes), you’ll find everything here. Depending on your budget opt for the food of your choice, either way you won’t come away disappointed.

What do you think about markets? Do have a favourite?