WRITTEN BY: Sophie Clapton, Born and bred Londoner.
Facebook | Instagram
There are many reasons to visit the popular neighbourhood of Notting Hill, but its distinctive technicolour townhouses are perhaps the most compelling. While the rest of London may be a dreary grey, the photogenic Notting Hill colourful houses are sure to brighten your day and create the perfect backdrop for those Instagrammable London shots.
Notting Hill’s popularity grew following the 1999 eponymous rom-com (thanks Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts!). Fast forward 20 years (jeez that makes me feel old!) and a new generation can be found roaming these streets. This quirky little rainbow neighbourhood is an Instagrammer’s dream! As you meander through the colourful streets of Notting Hill you will find all manner of colours, from pastel lemons to vibrant magentas.
Tucked away in West London, you’ll find rows upon rows of painted houses, lined up just waiting to be photographed. If you’ve been looking for some London Instagram inspiration, chances are you will have come across a fair few photos of Notting Hill. A quick perusal on Instagram for #nottinghill will bring you over 1.5 million results – most of which will be beautiful, coloured facades, with a sprinkling of flower-covered pubs, cute cafes, vintage cars and quirky shops for good measure!
If you’re looking to discover all the prettiest colourful houses in Notting Hill, you’ve come to the right place! There are so many picturesque houses in Notting Hill that it can be hard to choose from. I’ve listed my favourite colourful streets and have pinned all their locations on a map at the bottom of this article for easy reference.
You may also be interested in our other London guides:
- Most Instagrammable Places in London
- The ULTIMATE 2 Day London Itinerary
- Famous Streets in London
- Best Castles near London
- Famous London Landmarks
- ULTIMATE London Bucket List
Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. So a HUGE thank you to you if you click one of these links 🙂
Contents
The best streets for Notting Hill colourful houses
Uxbridge Street
Just minutes from Notting Hill Gate station is a colourful oasis. Step off of Holland Park Avenue road onto Uxbridge Street and it’s like entering a different world. You leave behind the hustle and bustle of the main road and enter this tranquil, colourful Instagram paradise.
From Uxbridge Street take a stroll up and down the adjoining streets and you will be rewarded with several more colourful homes. Hillgate Place, Farmer Street, Farm Place, Calcott Street, Hillgate Street, Jameson Street, and Kensington Place are all aligned with pastel houses.
Hillgate Place
This is possibly my favourite road in this little area of Notting Hill. The soft, pastel hues add so much charm. I may have also found the cutest resident in the area – this little pup was too adorable not to snap a photo of! Hillgate Place is also one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in London if you’re lucky enough to visit during spring.
Farmer Street
Farm Place
Calcott Street
Ladbroke Square
Ladbroke Square is home to beautiful Victorian houses, complete with balconies supported by grand pillars.
Holland Park Mews
You may notice several small streets around London called Mews and you might be wondering what the hell a Mews is! Mews were built in the 18th and 19th centuries and were originally stables for horses, with accommodation above for servants. They are usually located close to grand mansions and were previously used as service roads.
Nowadays, they are highly sought after, expensive properties. They radiate quintessential British charm, and each have their own unique character.
Portland Road
Portland Road doesn’t have as many colourful houses as some of the other roads nearby, but it does have one insta-famous door. Number 59 has been decorated with googly eyes, which definitely stands out amongst the elegant surrounding architecture. I love how much character they add!
Norland Place
The wonderful thing about just meandering through the streets of Notting Hill is the hidden treasures you stumble upon. I accidentally came across Norland Place but loved this quaint little street!
Pottery Lane & Penzance Place
On the corner of Pottery Lane and Penzance Place, you’ll find this delightful pink house.
Clarendon Road
One of the things that make Clarendon Road so interesting is how different the houses are as you walk along it.
Elgin Crescent
Elgin Crescent runs from the iconic Portobello Road to Clarendon Road. It is one of the most photogenic streets in Notting Hill, lined with various coloured homes. It is also one of the most expensive streets in London, along with the nearby Lansdowne Road, with properties selling for an average of nearly £5 million. I guess I’ll just continue to admire them from the outside.
Lansdowne Road
Stanley Crescent
Stanley Crescent, with its grand, stucco-fronted buildings, exudes absolute luxury. For opulent Notting Hill houses, this is the road to visit!
Kensington Park Gardens
Chepstow Villas
Along Chepstow Villas you will find these insta-worthy houses. The most famous of which is the pink house at number 58 and its blue next-door neighbour. The palm tree in front of the pink house really makes this one stand out. Unfortunately, there were a lot of cars parked outside when I was there, making it difficult to photograph. For this reason, I definitely recommend getting there earlier.
Denbigh Terrace
Colville Terrace
One of the best things about Colville Terrace for me is the different shades of blue!
Lonsdale Road
Most of Lonsdale Road isn’t too colourful, however, there are two houses that are well worth a visit; number 55 and 33!
Colville Mews
This picturesque mews is located just off of Lonsdale Road.
Ledbury Road
St Stephen’s Mews
This perfectly picturesque Instagram location is a little further out, but worth the small detour. The lush greenery engulfs the building and beautiful pot plants decorate the outside.
St Luke’s Mews
St Luke’s Mews is THE prettiest mews, and I challenge you to find a more picturesque street! Not only is this quaint, colourful street stunning, but it has also been a movie location. Ever seen Love Actually? Well, this is where Mark (Andrew Lincoln) declares his love for Juliet (Keira Knightley) in that Christmas scene.
Westbourne Park Road
This colourful street in Notting Hill is one of the most popular Instagram locations. I saw lots of other groups here taking photos on this street and had to patiently wait my turn! I absolutely adored the contrast of colour against the bricks, accentuated with white trimmings. However, I have to confess… I have removed a lampost from this photo as I found it distracting!
Lancaster Road
And the winner of the most brightly coloured street in Notting Hill is… Lancaster Road! By now you may have realized just how many colourful streets and houses there are in Notting Hill. However, the rainbow architecture along Lancaster Road is not to be missed. Unlike the pastel tones found elsewhere, here you’ll find bold, primary colours aligning the street.
Tavistock Road
Portobello Road
Last, but certainly not least, is the most iconic of Notting Hill’s colourful streets and one of London’s most famous streets: Portobello Road. Home to the world’s largest antique market and one of the world’s most famous street markets, you’ll find this street buzzing with life on market days.
The market began in much the same way as any other market in London, as a market for fresh produce. However, in the 1940s traders started selling bric-a-brac and antiques. Over time, this is what Portobello Road Market has become famed for. Nowadays, you will find several distinct sections to the market, with different stalls on different days. The Portobello Road Market website has the most up to date information regarding days and market times.
Portobello Road is also lined with numerous quirky independent shops and restaurants, many of which are brightly painted. It’s a great place to stop for a coffee or some food.
One of the things that really makes Portobello Road stand out is its quirkiness. While Notting Hill has been heavily gentrified, Portobello Road is still full of character and you will find a truly diverse mix of people here.
Being a busy thoroughfare, you may find it difficult to get photos here without a sea of people in them! I’d recommend shooting up at the colours above the shops or visiting early in the morning to limit crowds.
Tips for photographing the most colourful Notting Hill houses
Now you know where to find all the most colourful houses in Notting Hill, now it’s time to share some tips on how to get the perfect photos of them!
Don’t forget your camera!
Of course, having good camera equipment will help. However, you can still get some great shots with just your phone. I use the Sony a7riii and have been in love with it ever since the first photo we took with it. However, we’ve recently invested in a Sony Rx100 VI which will likely become my city camera as it’s so small and convenient!
Check out our post on travel photography camera gear to see everything I used to take the photos in this post. If you are looking to invest in a camera, then you may also be interested in this blog post about the best cameras for blogging.
Choose the right lens
You will likely want a zoom lens to allow you to change your focal distance, as well as a wide-angle shot to capture the entirety of some of the colourful houses. The lens we use most frequently is the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS as the zoom lens allows for the most diversity. We also often use the Laowa 15mm F2 for shots that require a wider angle.
Bring a tripod
A tripod is an integral part of my camera gear. Beyond its designed intention to hold my camera and allow me to get photos of myself, it also has the magical power of providing a bit of authority! People are much less inclined to step in front of your shot! When we have a lot of walking to do (like in London!), we use the Manfrotto Be Free as it’s lightweight and easy to carry.
Get out and shoot as early as possible
While most of the places you’ll be visiting are residential neighbourhoods, they are still popular (and become increasingly popular!) with tourists so it’s worth arriving early to get photos without people in them.
Be respectful of Notting Hill residents
These beautiful Notting Hill houses aren’t tourist attractions, they are people’s homes. Please keep this in mind when photographing the neighbourhood and be respectful of the residents.
Wear comfortable shoes
Notting Hill is a small neighbourhood within London and is best explored on foot. While it is easily walkable, I soon racked up the miles exploring down all its little side streets and mews so bring some comfy shoes!
I love my Brooks trainers and find them perfect for exploring the city, although I often pack some other shoes ready for photos!
Carry a reusable water bottle
The drinking water in London is excellent, so bring your own reusable water bottle and fill up as you go! This easy consideration helps to save the planet as well as your bankroll! Many cafes have fill stations or will fill your bottle if you ask. Additionally, public fill stations can be found at many major train stations and hubs.
Keep fully charged
It’s likely you’ll be using your phone to navigate around the city and to take photos or videos (and hopefully have this Notting Hill photo guide saved to refer to… *wink wink*). Bring a power pack with you to keep your phone charged on the go.
Map of all the colorful Notting Hill houses
Thank you for reading my guide to the best Notting Hill colorful houses!
I hope you’ve found my guide to the Notting Hill colourful houses useful. I have tried to list them in an order that would make sense if you were to walk from Notting Hill Gate station. You could easily spend a few hours or even a few days exploring all of the colourful streets in Notting Hill! I hope you’ll enjoy this beautiful area in West London as much as I do. Leave me a comment and let me know if you think I’ve missed anywhere!
Don’t forget to check out our other London travel guides to help you plan your best London vacation.
- Most Instagrammable Places in London
- The ULTIMATE 2 Day London Itinerary
- Famous Streets in London
- Best Castles near London
- Famous London Landmarks
- ULTIMATE London Bucket List
Wow! So many to chose from, you could practically plan a trip just for these photos! Are the occupants of the homes friendly? Sometimes people aren’t you never know! My next trip to London I am definitely checking these out!
You could absolutely plan a trip for the photos! The occupants I’ve met have been friendly, as long as you’re respectful. They don’t take kindly to crowds around their doorsteps and people hanging bags on their fences, which I think is fair!
Wow I am totally obsessed with these houses! Goal is to have one of those pink ones one day ?
I would love to have one of them too!! They’re so pretty 🙂
These are the cutest houses! So colorful, I can see why you’d want to take pictures of all of them. I’ve been before but it was packed, I think because it was a Saturday and the market was in full swing. I’d like to go back, maybe reenact those Love actually and Notting Hill scenes. Thanks for the helpful map, I’ll be able to use that as my own guided tour.
Aren’t they gorgeous?! Yeah it is tough on a market day to get photos, but I do love the atmosphere that the market brings.
Those houses just make me happy! Imagine coming home everyday to such a bright and beautiful home! This is definitely a spot I would love to visit.
Absolutely! It’d hard not to always be cheerful while surrounded by such beautiful colours.
What a wonderful guide. I just love wandering the streets of London and Notting Hill is such a magical place. Unfortunately nowadays I very rarely get the chance to visit (despite living just outside London). But when I do, I thoroughly enjoy walking the little side roads and dreaming of living in one of those beautiful mansions.
I know that feeling. I hardly ever went there when I lived in London. Now that I’m only back for a few weeks or so at a time, I find myself always wanting to explore more.
Loved reading more about the Notting Hill area – I only went briefly once, but would love to return! It’s so colorful and pretty. Loved looking at your photos, and bookmarking this for when I do (inevitably) return to London!
I love going back there. It really is so pretty 🙂
I LOVE Notting Hill! Have to stop by every time I’m in London. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been to London several times but never visited Notting Hill. It’s absolutely a must for my next visit, it looks so pretty! Thanks for the tips for finding the best spots, I can’t wait to go and see the colourful houses!
Hannah
Oh yes it’s definitely worth a visit. It feels very different from the rest of London. At least you now have a good excuse to come back 😉
So cute of these houses, Notting Hill I’m coming!
Really Notting Hill has pretty colorful houses.
It really does 🙂
I have discovered so many new places I did not know in terms of London’s colorful houses, thank you! Notting Hill really has an otherworldly charm. I also LOVE the colorful houses around Camden Town and Kentish Town, those are so underrated in my opinion!
I’m so happy to hear you found this guide helpful 🙂 Notting Hill is one of my favourite parts of London. You’re absolutely right though, the colourful houses in Camden and Kentish Town are gorgeous too!