London history goes back over 2000 years and weaves a complex story of buroughs, hamlets, and the people who make it the thriving metropolis that it is. Today Notting Hill in West London is an affluent area that is rich in history and cultural diversity, and is considered an up-and-coming London community.
The origin of the name Notting Hill is not known for sure, but texts from the late 1800s suggest it comes from a manor in Kensington called "Knotting-Bernes,", "Knutting-Barnes," or "Nutting-barns." It is now thought that the Nott part of the name is derived from the Saxon personal name Cnotta, and the “ing” ending is generally accepted as coming from the Saxon as well, referring to a group or settlement of people. The hill from which Notting Hill takes its name is clearly visible today, and its summit is in the middle of Ladbroke Grove at the junction with Kensington Park Gardens.
The history of Notting Hill has included an association with artists and "alternative" culture since its development in the 1820s, and in the early 19th century the western area near Pottery Lane was used for making bricks and tile using clay from the area. The clay was shaped and fired in kilns, the only remaining of which in London is on Walmer Road. In the 1950s, Notting Hill’s large houses provided multi-occupancy rentals that attracted immigrants, including many Caribbean families.
The Caribbean population leads the annual Notting Hill Carnival, a two-day event each August that has continuously taken place since 1965. The carnival has attracted up to 1.5 million people in the past, making it one of the largest street festivals in Europe.
Immigrants from all over the world bring cultural diversity to Notting Hill, and the constant renewal of the population makes the area one of the most cosmopolitan in the world.
Like that of most communities, Notting Hill’s history consists of both challenging times and periods of revitalization. The Notting Hill of today has a contemporary reputation as a fashionable area that’s known for high-end shopping and restaurants and large Victorian townhouses with attractive terraces. Notting Hill neighborhoods include Ladbroke Grove to the north, Notting Hill Gate, Portobello Road (home of the Portobello Road Market, one of London's most famous markets and known for its antiques vendors), Westbourne Grove, and North Kensington.
