On my all-time favorite movies list, there is Notting Hill with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. I was 10 years old when I fell in love with the handsome blue-eyed Brit and his neighbourhood. A real tribute to Notting Hill and Portobello Road, a district of West London with iconic colorful houses. As a hopeless romantic, I have always dreamed of this idyllic story. It’s hard to believe, however, that it took me more than 20 years to go on a pilgrimage to these places that I’ve seen so many times on my screen. A lot of establishments don’t have the same look or the same facade anymore. Not surprising after a few decades, but don’t worry: the magic is still happening. Find a Google map with all the places pinned at the end of the blog post!
William’s Bookshop
The main location of the movie Notting Hill is of course William’s travel bookshop on the famous Portobello Road. The two protagonists meet there for the first time when Anna Scott walks through the door to have a look. She then returns at the end of the movie to give us a iconic moment and the famous quote “I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” On Saturday, the Portobello Market, an antique market, steals the show. The shop used for the film was originally an antique store. Completely redesigned as a bookstore, it was inspired by the real Notting Hill book shop located a few steps from there. From furniture store to shoe store, several businesses succeeded each other inside the emblematic building. For 10 years, it is a souvenir store that takes advantage of the film’s success. When you enter, it’s not easy to project yourself because the shop has completely changed. Take a look at the stores next door and across the street, they are still the same 20 years later!
William and Spike’s apartment with the blue door
Do the exercise and ask around what people remember about the movie. Chances are you’ll hear about the blue front door of Will’ apartment or the hilarious paparazzi scene with Rhys Ifans. I was so excited to see it and take a picture in front of it. But my excitement was quickly overtaken by the reality. A huge graffiti had just been painted all over the door and the Fixxed logo on the upper part is ugly. It really takes away all the charm… For the story, the columned frame of the door was sold at auction because the house’s owner was Richard Curtis, the film’s screenwriter. It is a replica that now stands at 280 Westbourne Park Road and the following owners were not fans of the movie. They painted the door black to get some peace and quiet, which angered the fans and shop owners around it. They eventually moved away and the new residents gave the door back its original color in 2013. Don’t knock hoping to see Will and Spike’s kitchen, all the interior scenes in the apartment were shot in the studio.
214 Portobello Rd
Still confused by his meeting with the famous Anna Scott, William is in the clouds with a coffee in hand when he bumps into her at the corner of Portobello Road. A most memorable scene that will seal the relationship between the two characters since Will invites Anna to change at his place just across the street. In reality, the coffeeshop from which the actor comes out was never one, it has been a barbershop for many years. The building on the corner, unused in 1999, became a coffeeshop for a long time. Today, it is a poke bowl restaurant with a pastel frontage that you can’t miss!
The Ritz Hotel
There are almost as many scenes at the Ritz as there are in the bookshop! This is the hotel where Anna Scott stays when she is in the British capital. It is in the Trafalgar suite, that the actress and her team welcome journalists and promote their new film. A funny scene because William thinks he has an intimate date with Anna and must fake being a reporter. Later, Will escorts Anna back to her room at the Ritz and meets her boyfriend while the two are seeing each other. The hotel is close to the famous Piccadilly Circus square.
Bella and Max’s House
To the surprise (and excitement) of his group of friends, Will shows up with Anna at his sister’s birthday party. The celebration takes place in the house of Belle, his ex, and Max her new husband. A pastel and colorful house typical of the Notting Hill neighborhood. A tour that will allow you to admire the beautiful architecture of the surroundings. As if by chance, when I went there, that house was completely covered and hidden because it was being renovated. I saw several workers going in and out. A lot of the houses on this street have changed colors since the movie. It costs between £3 and £5 million to live in the area.
Rosmead private gardens
I think this is my favorite scene in the movie, it sums up Will’s whole personality in a few minutes. His “Whoopsidaisies!” as he tries in vain to climb over the gate to impress his lady is so sweet. I had a hard time identifying the fence that William and Anna are climbing through because its appearance and the low wall along it have both been modified in 2015. I thought it was the twin door across the street, which looks much more like it. But the streetlight, the tree, and the house architecture in the background helped me properly resituate the spot. The vegetation is a lot less dense so the effect is not the same. Don’t you dare recreate the scene and go into the Rosmead Gardens as these are the private backyards of the luxurious mansions. Also, the famous bench doesn’t exist, it was just put there during the shooting. If your visit coincides, the gardens are open to the public one weekend a year for the London Square Open Gardens Weekend.
The Nobu Restaurant
Being famous isn’t always easy, as Will witnesses when he is having dinner with Anna in this restaurant. He overhears a group of men next to them talking about Anna in a less than complimentary way. He tries to save his girlfriend’s honor, but she ends up defending herself and making them shut their mouths. This establishment is still a very well-known Japanese restaurant and often frequented by celebrities. The simple decoration of the restaurant hasn’t really changed.
The Coronet Theatre
Will goes to his local movie theater, and what a theater it is, to watch Anna’s latest film with nostalgia. The two haven’t seen each other for several weeks. The Coronet Theatre has been an architectural gem since 1898, and a popular venue for the city. It becomes a movie theater in 1923 with the boom of the industry. Its main auditorium with its majestic balcony reflects the memory of the greatest events that took place there. It is no longer possible to watch movies in this theater since 2014, it is exclusively an performance hall.
Kenwood House
After Bernie tells him that Anna is back in London to shoot a new movie, Will goes to the location. It is the Kenwood House which is used as set for the actress’ new production. Unfortunately for Will, despite the beauty of the place, the moment won’t be very enjoyable. He surprises Anna chatting with his partner, she is visibly embarrassed what Will is here. This magnificent Georgian castle of 1616 is located in Hampstead Heath, 30 minutes by car or one hour by public transportation from Notting Hill. The 45 acre park and the castle are open to the public. Walk about 25 minutes up Parliement Hill from the house for a panoramic view of downtown London. A bit of a Bridgerton feel although nothing has been filmed here.
Tony’s Restaurant
At the beginning of the movie, Tony, one of Will’s friends, proudly opens his restaurant. But shortly before the end he realizes that it is a failure and shuts down his establishment. In his empty restaurant, Will realizes that he made a mistake in rejecting Anna’s advances. In real life, the two vintage phone booths outside have been replaced by a classic one. The building has been a gifts, greeting cards and toys store for over a decade. Its storefront remains black just like in the movie, so it’s pretty easy to recognize it.
The Savoy Hotel
If there is another sequence which makes a lasting impression, it is the press conference at the end of the movie. Will attends it with the help of Bella. Among a hundred journalists and facing Anna, he apologizes in his own way and asks her to reconsider their relationship. She finally accepts and announces in front of the cameras that she intends to “indefinitely” stay in England. Despite some remodeling, particularly of the floor, the Savoy’s Lancaster Conference Room where the scene took place is almost the same. The rotating entrance doors are recognizable, but the lobby has had quite a makeover. Bye-bye to the marble walls and carpeted floors.
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If you want to follow in the footsteps of Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, here are all the locations previously mentioned on a map of London, United Kingdom. Feel free to share your journey with me in the comments.
[…] of this production 100% stronger. Bethany’s outfits are flawless. Not to mention the nod to Notting Hill, my favorite film. If you haven’t seen this little gem, don’t wait to check it out. At […]