5 Things Couples and Families Will Love in Notting Hill

5 Things to do around Notting Hill

1. Biking (Cycling) Through London

One of our favorite memories from this trip was biking (cycling) around London, using Santander Bicycles rental, especially through scenic areas near Notting Hill like Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Biking gave us a whole new perspective, letting us take in the sights at our own pace. We rode all the way to the Natural History Museum and through the iconic Westminster district. There’s something unforgettable about coasting down the cycle superhighway and catching your first glimpse of Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) rising up around the corner. For anyone visiting, biking is an exciting, active way to see the city’s most famous landmarks.

Tip: you cannot use Apple Pay at the Santander Bike kiosk. You will have to have a credit card on you or added to your Santander Cycles app. We learned this the hard way when we were trying to travel light and had to walk back to our hotel 😅

2. Portobello Road Market

We enjoyed strolling Portobello Road browsing market stands and antique shops and vendors. We found the true market is Saturday, but you can find brick and mortar antique shops, book shops, and more that line the street on week days if you’re unable to visit on Saturday!

3. Self-Guided Notting Hill Walking Tour

Find or make a self-guided tour of Notting Hill. Plan to save this for a sunny day if you can, I know it can be hard in London! I used A Lady in London’s post as a guide, but I created my own on Google MyMaps to cater our personal interests.

4. Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

Take a stroll or have a picnic or coffee in these beautiful gardens. You could also rent a boat on one of the lakes! I enjoyed seeing people ride their horses throughout the park.

5. Kyoto Gardens at Holland Park

Perfect for a peaceful walk or sitting break away from the hustle and bustle. The gardens have fountains and streams which make it an even more relaxing way to start or end your day of sightseeing!

Where to stay in Notting Hill?

If you’ve done any research on London so far, you know it is expensive!! When searching for a hotel I recommend starting with Google Travel. I relied heavily on their pricing and reviews to find hotels in my budget.

Things to consider as you begin to look:

• Cost per night
• Proximity to public transport – London is huge!
  • Consider how long you’ll be on public transport each day from your desired hotel
• Functionality
  • Do the beds fit your needs (shout out to our tall friends),
  • Do you require an elevator?
  • Do you require a handicap accessible room?
  • etc.
• Amenities
  • Is breakfast a non-negotiable for you?
  • Do you really want a hotel with a spa?
  • Do you need a coffee or tea bar in your room?
  • etc.
• Style of hotel (decor, number of rooms, family-owned, etc.)

Once you’ve considered these items, use Google to save options that fit your needs. I was drawn to hotels with charming British cozy decor (cottage vibes!), but those were either more expensive (£350+ per night) or sold out! The bed sizing was also an important consideration for us as my husband is on the taller side. Many hotels only offer full-size beds. We decided we’d aim to save money on our accommodations since we mainly planned to be out and about exploring the city. Our goal was to stay under £300 per night, without compromising on quality or convenience to the city center.

We chose Ruby Zoe Hotel and Bar for our stay.

Ruby Zoe Hotel Review: Overall, the hotel was nice—clean, spacious, with comfortable beds (a must, especially since my 6’3” husband needs his space!), and conveniently close to the tube. While I appreciated the quality and incredibly welcoming staff, I have to admit the modern aesthetic wasn’t my favorite. In a city known for historic architecture and cozy charm, I’d hoped for something with a bit more character. If we visit again, I’d probably lean toward a place with that quintessential British charm. That said, Ruby Zoe’s location was unbeatable. Just steps from Notting Hill Gate, it was ~15-20 minute tube ride to Covent Garden, which, for us, felt like the heart of the city.

If you’re seeking more British charm in Notting Hill, here are a few hotel options that embrace that cozy, quintessentially British feel (price points vary!)

• The Portobello Hotel (~£300-£500pn) – Known for its eclectic, vintage-inspired rooms and cozy, intimate atmosphere, this boutique hotel offers a classic British experience. Located near the famous Portobello Road Market, it combines charm with an ideal location.
• The Laslett – Known for its eclectic, vintage-inspired rooms and cozy, intimate atmosphere, this boutique hotel offers a classic British experience. Located near the famous Portobello Road Market, it combines charm with an ideal location.
• The Kensington (~£250-£350) – Just a short distance from Notting Hill, The Kensington is known for its luxurious, quintessentially British interiors, with rooms featuring four-poster beds and elegant decor. Located in South Kensington, it’s a stylish and refined choice that embodies classic British luxury, and it’s close to major attractions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and Hyde Park.
• The Lost Poet (~£150-£250) – Situated in the heart of Notting Hill, The Last Poet combines British charm with a literary-inspired aesthetic, creating a tranquil escape with warm, cozy interiors. Its thoughtfully designed rooms have an inviting ambiance, and the hotel itself is close to both local landmarks and the lively arts scene that defines the area.

Each of these options provides a different take on British style, from vintage-inspired elegance to cozy, local pub vibes.

Things to do around London – The Classics!

Tower of London

A must see slice of history! We enjoyed the Beefeater Tour, learning about the fortresses medieval history, views of Tower Bridge, and exploring the grounds.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

We missed the tour, but attended Evensong. We even got a spot near the choir which was so beautiful.

Kensington Palace

We did not tour the palace, but when I visited London in 2014, I did with my grandma. It was fun to see a working royal palace!

Tower Bridge

We skipped the tour, but made a point to walk across the bridge. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the true London experience and cross in the rain like we did. It’s beautiful at every angle

Westminster Abbey

Another place we decided not to go inside but seeing the outside while exploring Westminster was beautiful! Try to attend Evensong or another service to see the inside for free if you can!

Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) and Houses of Parliament

Hearing Big Ben at the top of the hour is a fun experience in London. The bell and the architecture of the tower are truly captivating!

Sky Garden

Free with a timed reservation, this attraction has an amazing view of the city. Reservations can be hard to come by though, so book as soon as you can! The tickets release two weeks around 10am local time, so you may have to set an alarm pretty early to get a spot depending where you live!

Parks/Picnics

If you’re lucky to have dry weather, pack a picnic and enjoy one of the many pristine parks of the city. However, even in the rain, we enjoyed being outside in the parks…just not as picnic friendly! Our favorite parks were:

• St James’s Park
• Holland Park
• Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park
• The Green Park
• Russell Square

Museums

We aren’t huge museum people, so we only made it to 2 museums, some would say a crime (like my brother, haha) but I believe you should do what you enjoy on vacation! Not what you think others want you to do

• Natural History Museum – this was great! We learned a lot and got to see some pretty cool things. Our favorites were probably old skeletons of massive animals and some of the geologic and dinosaur artifacts. The architecture of the museum itself was also stunning!

• Churchill War Rooms – don’t underestimate how much time you will need to get through all of this! We almost missed a lunch reservation because we probably could’ve spent four hours here! It was so interesting. Luckily you can make it as fast or slow as you like!
  • Tip – this required a timed entry reservation so book in advance!

Notting Hill and London Restaurants, Pubs, and Cafes

Seven Dials Market

Modern food court with a lively crowd. Fun for a laid back (maybe rainy) lunch or dinner!

Señor Ceviche Peruvian Restaurant Soho

Yummmm! The drinks were delicious (and strong) and the food was just as good! Obviously London is huge so it’s not surprising to find food from all ethnic backgrounds, but I wasn’t expecting Peruvian! They also put together a little anniversary memento for us which was so sweet. Great place to celebrate something special! It was the perfect spot before we headed to a jazz show at Ronnie Scott’s!

• Menu Recommendations:
  • Chifa Chicharrones (pork belly)
  • Clasíco Ceviche* (fish – skip if you’re not a sushi/raw fish lover)
  • Flat Iron y Nikkei Uchucuta (steak)

EggBreak

Delicious brunch! Get there somewhat early since it does form a line (queue). A popular spot for tourists and locals alike.

Beigel Bake (Brick Lane)

Order the salt beef beigel with pickles…don’t let the line intimidate you!! This beigel is worth the short wait and is one of the cheapest (and filling) things you’ll eat in London!

The Red Lion

Located in Westminster near the Houses of Parliament we loved the architecture and food at this pub! Highly recommend you make a reservation if visiting for lunch on a weekday as it’s a popular lunch spot for government and local business employees!