On the Street Where You Live: the History of Portobello Road
When My Fair Lady Dress Shop was in the works and we decided to start looking for available store space, Audrey and I both wanted to begin our searching on Portobello Road. For decades, the famous Portobello Road Market has drawn antique collectors, novelty lovers, and herds of tourists alike to the never-ending row of vendor stalls, and we knew this was the perfect environment for our dress shop. We had decided long ago not to make My Fair Lady a weekend-only antique stall, but we still wanted our shop to be a part of that classic, Old World charm and mystique so particular to Portobello Road.
Portobello Road was initially called Green’s Lane and connected Kensal Green to Kensington Gravel Pits, which is present-day Notting Hill Gate. At the time, the road was only a rural dirt path used by farmers and countryside residents. In 1740, the Portobello Farm was built near Green’s Lane, and the road expanded to connect with the farm as well. The name was changed to Portobello Road, and for over 100 years, orchards, hayfields, and farmland covered the area that is now the prestigious Notting Hill neighborhood. It was the development of residential areas in Paddington and Notting Hill and the completion of the Hammersmith and City Railway line and Ladbroke Grove station in 1864 which finally transformed every last bit of this rural London countryside into bustling Victorian streets.
Today, Portobello Road is famous for its beautifully persevered 19th century architecture, its historic winding streets, and, of course, its antique and produce market held every weekend. The Portobello Road Market began with fruit and vegetable vendors in the late 1800s and expanded to include antique dealers and fashion retailers in the 1940s. The Portobello Road Market is now the largest market in the UK, and it draws thousands of tourists from across Europe and the world to its stalls every weekend. Portobello Road has been the inspiration for several novels, songs, films, and television shows, even being prominently featured in the Disney movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks as an elaborate musical number about the unique vendors and antiques in the market.
My Fair Lady Dress Shop has proudly called Portobello Road home since 1986. We have completely fallen in love with its quaint Victorian shops and architecture, as well as with our “loverly” store, tavern, and market neighbors. We all comprise a very supportive and friendly community here, drawing from the artistic inspiration we find at one another’s businesses. Merely writing about Portobello Road cannot do it justice. You simply must come experience this historic treasure for yourself.
