Q&A with Edward Towers: Discovering the Charms of Notting Hill & Ladbroke Grove
August 2024 -
Nestled in the heart of West London, Notting Hill stands as an iconic neighbourhood that exudes charm, diversity, and architectural splendour. With its large green spaces, including private garden squares and picturesque crescents, the area offers a serene oasis amidst the bustling city. We recently sat down with Edward Towers, Director at Aykroyd & Co and proud resident of Notting Hill, to find out more about this coveted neighbourhood.
What makes the area of Notting Hill desirable?
“Notting Hill is desirable for several reasons. Firstly, it boasts a significantly higher amount of green space than say Chelsea with numerous garden squares and crescents, including Kensington Gardens. Secondly, the stunning white stucco crescent architecture of the Victorian Ladbroke Estate (an early form of town planning), featuring a mix of large and medium-sized houses, adds to the area’s allure in addition to the brightly painted streets and mews houses around the world-famous Portobello Road and Ladbroke Grove.
Notting Hill’s cultural diversity has increased over the past 40 years due to regeneration efforts, making it more diverse than other nearby neighbourhoods. Despite its transformation into one of London’s most expensive and desirable areas, Notting Hill retains its charm and cool vibe. Additionally, the continuous influx of fantastic new restaurants and other establishments adds to its appeal. Lastly, being in West London near the A40 Westway provides excellent road access to the rest of the UK through roadways and airports.”
What are some of your favourite local dining spots?
“When it comes to dining options, I have numerous favourites, with many new options in the 8 years I have lived in the area. The classic and trendy Gold on Portobello is one of my top choices along with Dorian on Talbot Road and the relatively newly opened Wild on Westbourne Grove (which replaced the much missed classic “202”). For a slightly younger vibe try Strakers on Golborne Road and The Pelican gastro pub at the top of All Saints Road which both gained national attention through Instagram & TikTok, though securing a table at short notice can be challenging.”
What are your favourite streets and parks in the Notting Hill area?
“Some of my favourite streets in Notting Hill include Golborne Road and the top half of Portobello Road, which offer the best and most traditional parts of the famous street market for locals, away from the tourists buying novelty sweaters etc!
I particularly enjoy exploring the Golborne antiques market and shops such as Arbon Interiors, a cool vintage shop with old fireplaces, paintings, architectural salvage and more. Westbourne Grove stands out as the chicest shopping and dining area in Notting Hill, and Holland Park, my favourite park in London, has a unique semi-rural feel due to its history as the private grounds (rather than being built as a municipal park) for the bombed (in WWII) stately home, Holland House.”
What are some of your favourite things to do in the area?
“I love the neighbourhood’s diversity and vibrant energy – there’s always something happening!
On weekends, some of my favourite things to do are wander through the market, sipping drinks in the numerous bars, dining in various restaurants, and running along the Portobello Canal (which leads to Little Venice and Regents Park beyond) and has a lovely fresh breeze and the highest concentration of flora and fauna in London.
Of course, we can’t forget about the annual Notting Hill Carnival, one of the most notable events in London, usually taking place on the August bank holiday weekend. It is one of the largest street festivals in the world, attracting over one million visitors each year. Colourful parades with vibrant costumes, lively music, and delicious Caribbean food are some of the highlights of the event. Notting Hill Carnival originated in 1966 and has since become an integral part of London’s cultural landscape.”
Any fun facts about the area?
“Notting Hill’s history includes a fascinating fun fact. In the late 1830s, the neighbourhood was home to a horse racing track called the Hippodrome, situated amidst fields and farms at that time.”
