Portobello Road, cl904. George Portwine the butcher had 173-175, on the right. The semi obscured name and stained-glass shopfront is still here today, leading into Portwine Galleries. Mrs Rosetta Virgo had an oil shop at 163 which later became Harris's stores, specialising in selling prams, before becoming Harris's Arcade.

Look above The Red Lion Antiques Market at 165-169 Portobello Road to see a sign to commemorate Susan Garth, who launched London's first antiques market on this site. Tailor Jacob Winner was offering all the trimmings here in 1904. By 1910 he had expanded next door, having taken over Mrs Emma Downs' eel pie house.

Portobello Road's extraordinary mix of antique dealers, quirky arcades and fashion stalls that jostle with barrows of fruit and veg draws people from around the globe. But it wasn't always like this. Tim Burke charts its history, while Hermione Cameron, author of Notting Hill: Behind The Scenes, contrasts images of the street captured 100 years ago with present-day photographs taken from the same spot by Andrew Sims.

The perfect place for people watching. See and be seen on Portobello Road.

«Getting hung up all day on smiles walking down Portobello Road for miles»



«Then suddenly it's the weekend, and from break of day, hundreds of stalls appear out of nowhere, filling Portobello Road»

At first sight, Portobello can seem like one long mile of hustle and bustle, yet it's worth taking a little pause for thought to discover what made Portobello Market and Notting Hill the world-famous destination it is today. Allow up to two hours on a busy day, and be sure to take a well-earned tea or coffee break.

Welcome to Portobello - one of London's hidden jewels. When you walk down Portobello Road, you're immediately aware that you're leaving behind the grand houses and squares of Notting Hill and Paddington, and entering a vibrant area of shops, market stalls, pubs and restaurants all bursting with character and life.