Portobello

  

Last week I ventured to London and while I was there I decided to take a stroll down to Portobello Market with my camera in hand. I hadn't been since I was very young, and I naively didn't stop to think how crowded it would be on a Saturday, tourists were stopping to take pictures here, there and everywhere, a brave few even crossing the line of social etiquette and posing for photographs inside people's gardens. 

Portobello Road and the surrounding area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in London, but unlike other areas, for example Camden, it hasn't been touched with too much "I Love Big Ben"tat, which is refreshing.

I went with an open mind and a closed wallet, I knew most things I would find could easily be found by digging around in a charity shop or at a car boot sale, and for a snip of the price. But it was so refreshing to see all the collections of glass ornaments, silver trays or floral tea pots all lovingly refreshed and cared for in one place. Even stalls selling new items exuded a bric-a-brac vibe, with items carefully mixed and matched together.

My favourite part of the market was a far trek from Notting Hill station, and that was the food. The further you get in, like most markets in London, the cheaper things become. I still feel embarrassed that I was conned out of £4 for a glorified potato on a stick, when further along there were fresh fruit stalls selling 3 boxes of strawberries for £2. But, you live and learn.

I'd love to return to Portobello, however I'll definitely avoid the weekend rush as it potentially tripled the amount of time I was wandering around for. It's an eccentric world, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life in the capital, and an essential destination for anyone who's heading to London.