West London

As indicated by its name, West London is the area west of Central London and is part of Greater London. It is generally composed of two parts, the inner West London and the outer West London. It is an urban area with large numbers of businesses and office buildings, though a number of attractions still bring a lot of visitors to this part of the city.

Sights & Activities:

Notting Hill, an exclusive area of West London, gained global recognition as the setting of the film with the same name. However, for the English, the area is more popularly associated with the Notting Hill Carnival, a huge event said to be attended and participated by more than a million people from all over the world. Held every August, the carnival is organized by the Caribbean community in the area. It is also noted that children have increasingly larger role in the carnival, with the organization of the Children’s Day and holding a shorter carnival parade just for them.

There is also an event that is organized on a weekly basis in Notting Hill. Portobello Road Market is a street market that primarily trades antique pieces, though fresh produce and second-hand clothing are also available. Every August, the Portobello Film Festival is also held along the same thoroughfare.

West London has several extensive outdoor spaces and one of the most notable is the Holland Park. Part of the park is woodland, where an abundance of flora thrives. Around the park are attractive Victorian terrace houses that will surely delight any architecture enthusiasts. Among the features of the park that visitors are free to explore are several sporting facilities, a Japanese garden, and a children’s playground. Taking strolls within the park grounds will sometimes enable visitors to see squirrels and peacocks, examples of animal species living within the park. There is also the Holland Park Theatre, an open air theatre that hosts operas during warm days.

After strolling the park, visitors can then head out to another popular attraction, the Kensington Palace along Palace Avenue. This historic structure still serves as residence of several members of the Royal Family. However, it also houses the exhibit in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales which is open to the public since 2005. Tours are also offered around the apartment once occupied by the late Princess Margaret.

Behind the palace is the Kensington Gardens, popularly associated with the children’s book ‘Peter Pan.’ This is manifested by the statue of the fictional character within the park. Other features of the gardens include the Round Pound, the Albert Memorial, Speke’s monument, a sunken Dutch Garden, and the Serpentine Gallery which exhibits works of art.

Eating Out:

 Virtually all kinds of cuisine are offered in the numerous restaurants in West London, providing myriad choices for hungry tourists and locals alike. However, for those who yearn for hearty Italian meals, a trip to the Ark is in order, located along the Palace Gardens Terrace. Other dining establishments offering the same cuisine are the Locanda Ottoemezzo on Thackeray Street and the Negozio Classica on Westbourne Grove. Visitors who explore Holland Park need not go far for their meals, as the Belvedere Restaurant is located right inside the Holland Park House. A short walk away is the Blue Lagoon on Kensington High Street, which serves Thai dishes, and the Il Portico, also located along the same street. Another famous restaurant in the area is the Portobello Gold, located along the famous Portobello Road.

Those who seek to spend some of their time in pubs and bars also have a lot of choices. The Crown & Sceptre is located along Holland Road while a branch of All Bar One is on Notting Hill Gate. Julie’s Bar has been operational since the 1970s and is an institution in itself. It is situated along Portland Road. Along Seagrove Road is the gastropub The Atlas.