Notting Hill is a location in London that I had not previously visited with my camera plus going on a Saturday offerred the opportunity to see the market on Portobello Road.
My December 2019 booked photo tour through Virgin Experiences had been cancelled and then on hold throughout the lockdowns! When I tried to book again in 2022 I found that the organisers had stopped trading. Virgin Experiences very kindly allowed me to use my already paid money, with long overdue expiry dates, to put against a different experience – “Photography Course and Colourful Photo Tour of London’s Notting Hill”.
The photo tour was organised by Sky Blue Photography and was lead by David (and his smartphone!)
The experience started at 11 am and with all the changes post Covid to train timetables I went to catch a train after 8am to allow time around Waterloo before heading off to Notting Hill. I planned to catch the fast train at 8.30 but it was delayed 20+ minutes and instead I caught the slow train at 8.16. This was an 8 carriage train and was virtually empty despite many stops.
Waterloo Station
On the concourse of Waterloo a new monument had been erected. This was to celebrate the contribution to UK society by the “Windrush Generation”.
I left the station by the main entrance and headed off to the Leake Street tunnel to check out the street art there.
Leake Street Tunnel
From the station I went down to York Road to walk to Leake Street. All the small shops had been closed and boarded up since my last visit to Leake Street.
The car park in the open ground on Leake Street was filled with Land Rovers all carrying the Wimbledon logo and were ready to transport VIPs to the tournament. Shame there were no famous folks waiting to get a lift when I passed!
The tunnel was empty except a couple of groups taking selfies in front of the murals.
For all the street art I photographed there here’s my blog.
Notting Hill Gate
I had to catch the Bakerloo Line to the Central Line as the Jubilee Line was closed for maintenance. As usual the Central Line was unbearably hot as I went from Oxford Circus to Notting Hill Gate. On the station platform there were dozens of children being organised by harassed teachers. For me the meeting point was at the top of Exit 3 at the Underground station.
The experience was scheduled to start at 11 am so I had a little time to explore after leaving the Notting Hill Gate Underground. Over the road I walked past the shops onto Farmer Street where I saw this decorated restaurant, Los Mochis.
All the coffee shops were packed and serving breakfasts so instead I went into McDonalds for a coffee and then sat in the shade watching the world pass by until 10.45. In front of the shops where I sat, I watched other walking tours gather and start towards the market.
Exit 3 of Notting Hill Gate Station
After my coffee I joined the other photographers waiting at the top of Exit 3 of the station.
Photography Course and Colourful Photo Tour of London’s Notting Hill
Discover one of London’s most desirable and vibrant areas, Notting Hill, with this Colourful Photo Tour, guided by a professional photographer.
After a short talk on recommended camera settings to help you capture the perfect shot, you’ll explore everything Notting Hill has to offer. Enjoy the iconic pastel-coloured houses and thriving Portobello Market as you’re guided to the best photo locations with a stop in Westbourne Grove to try one of the best chocolatiers in London.
What’s Included:
2 hour 30 minutes photography course and tour in Notting Hill
Learn tips, techniques, and skills from a professional photographer
Locations featuring the iconic pastel-coloured houses
Luxury Chocolate tasting experience in Westbourne Grove
To Portobello Road
An interesting pizza shop!
And souvenir shops (lots of them!)
Portobello Road
We stopped to take images of the sweeping start of the road and of the pub on the left.
David, our guide, used his iPhone to show us possible compositions throughout the tour. Here he showed us how to use Live mode to capture long exposure images that blurred the passing crowds.
Street Art on Portobello Road – Notting Hill
The first part of the road was flanked by a row of terraced houses on one side and on the other had business premises with high walls. On one of these were these street art paste ups
This house had music playing through the open door and the owner came out to give us a wave!
Away from the crowds in Notting Hill
This Ferrari had a parking ticket.
Portobello Road Market
We then went back into the crowds in the market.
This is a long standing antique shop.
A small mews was at the side of the shop.
Using a mirror on the side of the shop: a view down the mews and an other view of the market.
A quiet street off Portobello Road
Into the thick of Portobello Road Market
