Notting Hill’s Secret Spots: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

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Highlights

Offline Mode: Download tours and listen without WiFi
Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy the sites
Instagram Hotspots: We find the perfect picture spots
Enjoy a private experience in a COVID-19 safe environment

Summary

Listen to this political walking podcast tour on the story behind Notting Hill and how minority groups are still affected by this area’s cultural divide.

Tour info

Duration

50 minutes -

Pricing (From)

Adult: (5-90 years)

£6.99

Commentary

English

Meeting Point

1 Ladbroke Square, Ladbroke Square, Greater London, England, W11 3LX

Dropoff location

34-35 Powis Square, Powis Square, Greater London, England, W11 2AY

Why take this tour?

Discover the trendy and photographic neighbourhood of Notting Hill in London, renowned for its famous filming locations, bustling market and multicultural street food stalls!

On this immersive tour narrated by a London historian, you will walk through the colourful Ladbroke Square, explore Cambridge Gardens, stroll along the famous Portobello Road and finish in front of the secret community gem - the Tabernacle.

Venture off the tourist trail and discover a mix of crazy stories, famous residents, and great food, as you get a more intimate and local feel for the area. Discover how this area became a melting pot for people of all backgrounds, and enjoy taking photos in the most Instagrammable spots like St. Luke’s Mews.

Experience the beautiful architecture and unforgettable iconic sights as you transport yourselves in an engaging, quirky and captivating adventure, as you get a more authentic insight into a lively and significant area.

Begin walking up Notting Hill as we head through Ladbroke Square. Learn about the origins of the name Notting, originating from the Saxon family of Knottas, before reaching the summit of Notting Hill and hearing about the neighbourhood’s unique and often paradoxical identity. Also, learn about the Hippodrome Race Course that once looped the hill.

Start walking down the hill, past Ladbroke Grove Gardens as we learn about the area’s cultural and political identity, from hearing about its class divide to why the Hugh Grant film ‘Notting Hill’ was set here.

Visit the Museum of Brands, a unique place that celebrates how each brand carries an emotional continuity that tugs on your personal experiences and explores the theme of nostalgia. You can see how the industrial revolution, suffragette movement and wartime rationing are reflected in everyday items.

Pay your respects to the victims of the tragedy that occured at Grenfell Tower, the site of a tragic fire back in 2017 which took the lives of at least 72 victims. This is a stark reminder of the drastic divide between the haves and the have nots in this neighborhood and how this class divide has led to racial tensions.

Continue walking down Cambridge Gardens towards Portobello Road as we hear about immigration, housing and exploitation by Peter Rachman. Learn about the various assaults and xenophobia that have occurred over the last century and how riots and the founding of Notting Hill Carnival acted as a way to push back against both active and passive racism.

Walk down Notting Hill’s most famous street, Portobello road. Learn about the history of Portobello Farm and how this bustling area has now come to define the neighbourhood. From the famous Electric Cinema to Notting Hill Carnival, a major celebration of African-Caribbean Culture.

Head to one of Notting Hill’s most Instagrammable spots and visit St. Luke’s Mews. Then, finish the tour outside the Tabernacle, a unique architectural gem. During the 1990s, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd rehearsed at the Tabernacle. And in 2016, The Tabernacle ran an exhibit looking at the rise of dancehalls and sound systems in the UK with the help of reggae historian John Masouri.

The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations are sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.

What’s included?

Access to your self-guided audio tour
Audio tour provided by a local or historian
Offline Mode: Download tours in advance to listen without WiFi
Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy sites, without getting lost
Instagram Hotspots: We find the spot for your perfect picture
Earphones
Entrance tickets to attractions (electric cinema & museum of brands) - prices from £20 each
Mobile device

Things to know

Before you book

This product is suitable for all ages
Do it at your own pace. This product is suitable for all fitness levels
English speaking Audio guide only

Before you go

You will need to bring your own mobile phone
You will need to bring your own headset/earphones

Covid Policy

Social distancing enforced throughout experience

This is a covid safe tour. Socially distance from other visitors to Notting Hill with your independent, self-guided tour!

Cancellation Policy

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Operator Website

Operated by:

About operator:

Too many people visit places without discovering anything about them. And we can’t let that happen.

We believe that the true essence of travelling lies in the joy of discovering the authentic face of cities, neighbourhood and cultural sites, and unlocking the many tales they hold.

With that spirit in our hearts, we started out in search of these stories hidden in the nooks and corners of Paris, London, Cambridge and Oxford's most iconic spots. We then dived into each place’s culture, history, and traditions by collaborating with historians, famous architects, photographers, street artists, and many more. What we ended up finding was a treasure trove of stories that we have meticulously tied together just for you!

But how to deliver this information? We didn’t want to create another Wikipedia, with people looking at their phones instead of the sites. And let’s face it, audioguides and headsets belong to the 20th century.. This is why we’ve created our own storytelling format. Podcast-style tours, enriched with photos and videos, that keep you wanting more.

Our goal is to create a form of travel that will make you truly discover the places you visit.