Moving to Notting Hill: Everything You Need to Know About W11
Few London postcodes carry the cultural weight of Notting Hill. Made globally famous by the 1999 film, the reality of W11 is — if anything — even better than the movie suggests. Behind the pastel-painted townhouses and the famous Portobello Road Market is a genuine community: independent shops, outstanding restaurants, excellent schools, and some of the most beautiful streets in London. Here's your complete guide to moving to Notting Hill.
Property in Notting Hill
Notting Hill is unambiguously prime London property. The famous stucco-fronted townhouses of Pembridge Villas, Ladbroke Grove, and Kensington Park Road command some of West London's highest prices. Prices (2024–2025):
- 1-bed flat: £600,000–£900,000 to buy; £2,500–£3,500/month to rent
- 2-bed flat: £900,000–£1.5m to buy; £3,500–£5,000/month to rent
- 3–4 bed terraced house: £2m–£4m+
- Large townhouse (5+ bed): £5m–£15m+
The most prestigious streets — Pembridge Villas, Ladbroke Road, Kensington Park Gardens — are among the most sought-after addresses in London. Holland Park (just to the south) offers similarly grand properties on leafy, private streets.
The Best Streets in Notting Hill
- Pembridge Villas: Wide, tree-lined, with some of the finest Victorian stucco townhouses in the area
- Ladbroke Grove (north of Holland Park Avenue): Large family houses on one of the most beautiful garden squares in London
- Elgin Crescent: Quieter residential street known for community feel and excellent housing stock
- Westbourne Park Villas: Charming street near the canal with a mix of houses and flats
Transport
Notting Hill is very well-connected:
- Notting Hill Gate (Central/District/Circle lines): Marble Arch in 9 minutes, Bond Street in 7 minutes, Liverpool Street in 25 minutes
- Ladbroke Grove / Westbourne Park (Hammersmith & City/Circle): Paddington in 8 minutes, King's Cross in 25 minutes
Schools
W11 and its immediate surroundings have an exceptional concentration of both state and independent schools:
- Pembridge Hall: One of London's most prestigious prep schools, sitting in the heart of Notting Hill
- Norland Place School: An outstanding independent prep on Holland Park Avenue
- Fox Primary School: Highly regarded state primary in Campden Hill — oversubscribed every year
- Colville Primary School: Another outstanding state primary very close to Portobello Road
Day-to-Day Life in Notting Hill
Portobello Road Market is the neighbourhood's heartbeat — fresh produce daily, antiques and vintage clothing on Saturdays. Beyond the market, the local restaurant scene is outstanding (Ottolenghi's original Notting Hill deli, Farmacy, The Cow) and the independent boutiques along Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road are consistently excellent.
Holland Park — 22 hectares of formal gardens, woodland walks, and sports facilities — is on the doorstep and is arguably London's most beautiful park.
Moving Day Tips for Notting Hill
The narrow streets around Portobello Road and the popular residential squares can make parking for large removal vans challenging. On Saturdays (market day), Portobello Road is effectively impassable for vehicles. Plan your move for a weekday and arrange a parking suspension from RBKC (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea) at least 5 working days in advance.
Book Metro City moves London for your Notting Hill move — we know W11 well and will plan around the local access challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Notting Hill expensive to live in?
Yes — it is one of London's priciest postcodes, comparable to Chelsea, Kensington, and Marylebone. However, the rental market at entry level (studios and one-beds) is slightly more accessible than the purchase market.
Is Notting Hill safe?
W11 has relatively low crime rates for inner London. The southern part of Notting Hill and Holland Park border is particularly safe and quiet. Some streets in the north of the postcode near Ladbroke Grove can be livelier, but the area has improved significantly over the past decade.