Places to See Outside of Central London: Notting Hill and Horsham
There is so much to see in Central London alone, but if you ever find yourself wanting a change of scenery I recommend taking the tube and exploring Notting Hill and Horsham.
Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market
I only knew about Notting Hill through the movie. But since watching the film, I’ve added Notting Hill to my list of places to see. True to what was portrayed in the movie, it’s such a quirky, colorful district sprinkled with charming cafes and antique stores brimming with rarities. Of course as soon as we arrived, we immediately searched for The House with the Blue Door and the The Travel Book Co., Will Thacker’s (played by Hugh Grant) flat and struggling travel bookshop.
What we didn’t know is there’s actually a couple of Notting Hill bookshops in the area, both looking quite similar to the shop in the movie: The Travel Book Shop and The Notting Hill Bookshop. Our Google Maps app pointed us to The Notting Hill Bookshop as the movie location. As soon as we got there we sensed something different, but it did look like a very charming bookshop with all the Notting Hill movie souvenirs. Thankfully, we decided to walk more along Portobello Road and saw The Travel Book Shop (now Notting Hill Gift Shop). Chad has fantastic memory and remembered Will’s bookshop had an alley beside it and there it was. Unfortunately, it’s only a gift shop now. We were also saddened to see that The House with the Blue Door had been vandalized.
FUN FACT: This is not the original blue door featured on the film. After the success of the film, the flat was sold for £1.3m and the door was auctioned off.
After a fun time exploring the area, we ended the day with lunch at The Ramen Bar, which I could attest as one of the best ramen places we’ve been to during our stay in London. Afterwards, we headed to Leavesden to check out the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios, which I’m so excited to share in my next blog.
Horsham, West Sussex
The next day, we met up with a good friend of mine from high school. Gretchen was so kind to host us and show us around the idyllic town of Horsham in West Sussex. As soon as we arrived at her flat, she took us for an afternoon tea at The South Lodge Hotel, a quintessential English country house built in 1883, transformed into an exclusive luxury hotel and spa.
Chad and I are not tea people, but we didn’t want to miss sipping tea while enjoying a view of the South Downs and reminiscing teenage memories. It was the perfect ending to our England experience.
Missed my previous post? Go here.
Notting Hill & Horsham Travel Tips
FIRST TIP:
If you’re looking for the real Notting Hill bookshop from the movies, it’s the one at 142 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DZ, United Kingdom. It’s now a gift shop.
SECOND TIP:
For a good bowl of hot ramen, check out Tonkutsu Ramen Bar—it’s delish! If you’re up for a challenge, try out their Spricy Ramen.
THIRD TIP:
The best way to travel to Horsham is by train. You can buy tickets at King’s Cross Station.
