London: Portobello Road

Portobello Road is a London street located in the Notting Hill district , famous for the market held there daily and which attracts many tourists from all over the world.

History

Portobello Road is a Victorian style structure, before 1800-1840 it was nothing more than a country road that connected Kensal green with the Portobello farm, in fact it was largely made up of hay craps , orchades and cultivated land; Portobello farm was built in 1740, its name was greens lane but then in 1841 it was called Portobello in honor of the victory obtained in the war of Jenkin’s ear, when the admiral conquered the city of Portobelo in Panama.

In the mid-1800s, the area began to change, it had become richer in fact many terraced houses were built with elegant terraces. Then a station was built in Ladbroke Grove , on the new Metropolitan Railway; many housing were also built for workers and craftsmen.

Pubs were opened and in the market stalls they began to sell basic food such as fruit and vegetables; initially these products were purchased only by residents but after a few years this market began to sell everything, not just basic necessities and this attracted many tourists.

Market

Portobello Road market is different every day of the week: from Monday to Thursday the market is mainly set up for residents, in fact the merchants sell fruit, vegetables and clothes; from Friday to Sunday the stalls under the westway overpass sell vintage and new fashion. On Sunday there are no stalls but the shops are still open.