Portobello Road Market and Golborne Road Market

This market is on a level all of its own where London markets are concerned for more than one reason.

Firstly, its sheer scope. While some markets stretch a block or two down a street, this one goes on forever. There's a French Market at the north end of the proceedings and I swear that by the time I got there from the beginning (the side closest to the Notting Hill Gate tube stop), it honestly felt like I had walked half way to France (though in the wrong direction).

And yet that's the second thing that separates this market out from the rest. Despite the fact that it goes on for what must be at least a mile, there isn't that much repetition. There are certainly multiple t-shirt vendors but for every one of these, there are five booths of people who look like they just cleaned out their attics. And yet these are not garage sales, they are highly knowledgeable collectors.

The final thing that separates Portobello Road Market out is that it's well organized. Unlike a lot of London's other markets which have no rhyme or reason, Portobello Road is organized by type of merchandise - much like a slightly anarchic department store. Antiques are next to antiques, sundries are next to sundries, and (sneakily half way) food is next to food.

This allows for price comparison shopping as well as making the market into a set of more easily accessible (at least if you know which side streets spill into the sections) mini-markets.

All of this and the regular stores and cafes along the route are open (though don't expect deals in these).

I can see how actual Londoners aren't as fond of this market as tourists since it is so different than other markets in the city and it's not just somewhere to pop into in the morning to buy some cheese or whatnot. But I find it a highly recommendable Sunday morning stop on any tourist travel plan. Especially with its great accessibility off the Central Line which makes it not out of the way despite being west of most of visitor's London.

A pretty little corner of London..quirky shops and great market..a must if you love all things vintage and retro..not all of it is expensive, but even for the pricier items you can guarantee you wont see anyone else wearing it..go on a saturday. yes it will be busy..like anywhere in London on a saturday! (or most shopping areas of UK, come to that...) go with it, and take it in the atmosphere..there's plenty of cool places to eat and drink if you need a break. Some of Carrie's clothes (sex and the city) came from this world famous market.