Portobello Road History

Portobello Road (previously thought to have been called Green Lanes) appears to have been born from a small footpath that linked Notting Hill Gate to an area two miles North West of Notting Hill, namely, Kensal Green. The exact date the footpath was created is likely to remain unknown (possibly around the 1400′s) but it became a much more popular thoroughfare with the advent of Porto Bello Farm, built half way down the lane around 1740. The farm itself was named to commemorate Admiral Vernon capturing the coastal city of Puerto Bello in Panama in 1739 (a town favoured by the Spanish for Silver and other treasure trading) and to follow suit the footpath itself was renamed Porto Bello Lane which in turn became Portobello Road during the 1850′s as roads, homes and businesses were developed along its route.

Portobello Road Market itself started life in the late 1860′s, early 1870′s when many houses on the road were still under construction. Market traders were primarily selling food (known locally as “costermongers”) and were being driven by the ever expanding neighbourhood, inturn attracting many other traders to start selling medicines and general “bric-a-brac” goods. Side shows and street perfomers were also reported to have been getting in on the act setting up opposite the food stalls themselves. Up until the end the of 1920′s traders were only operating on Saturday’s, mainly due to the restrictions levied upon them by the local council, but after a lengthy battle they finally managed to approve opening on many other days and the market flourished.

By the end of the Second World War, around 1945, many “Rag and Bone” men started setting up stalls and selling second hand household items and antiques. The men were renown for selling high quality items for low prices and word started to spread, which in turn lead to more knowledgable buyers moving in to make a profit from the deals. This kick-started the Antiques section of the market postioned near the top end of Portobello Road between Lonsdale Road & Chepstow Villas (towards Notting Hill Gate). Then 10-15 years later, during the late 1960′s fashion traders gradually started to appear and Portobello Road Market became the complete international success story that it is today.

Looking up Portobello Road towards Notting Hill Gate

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