“A Place Called Notting Hill” turns 24: movie sets that should be in your script in London

Released at the end of July 1999, “A place called Notting Hill ” turned 24 in 2023 and has already become a romantic comedy classic. Based on “Sessão da Tarde”, the film takes place in London and has Julia Roberts It is Hugh Grant in leading roles.

The film shows the story of Will (Hugh Grant), owner of a bookstore who, on a certain day, receives a visit from the American movie star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts). The meeting provides the discovery of feelings and adventures between the couple.

The title is already a direct reference to Notting Hill west London neighborhood with instagrammable pastel houses, starred restaurants, pubs, bars, street market and also where the biggest street party in Europe takes place annually.

According to IMDb, the main settings of “A Place Called Notting Hill” are:

• Notting Hill neighborhood
• Portobello Road
• The Coronet Theater
• Kenwood House
• Hotel The Ritz London
• The Savoy
• Nobu Restaurant

Find out more about each location below:

Notting Hill

The picturesque neighborhood in West London plays host to the annual Notting Hill Carnival a street carnival that attracts over a million people in August and is considered Europe’s biggest street party . The festivity is led by the Caribbean-British community and there are even bands with Brazilian influences in the middle, such as Baque do Axé, London School of Samba and Paraiso School of Samba.

In addition to the excitement, live performances on stages set up in the streets and more than 300 food stalls with an emphasis on Caribbean cuisine are part of the event.

In addition to the specific event, Notting Hill has a great attraction throughout the year to Portobello Road , street where colorful terraced houses are concentrated and where little shops are squeezed. Throughout the week, but mainly on Saturdays, the Portobello Road Market market famous for its antiques and collectibles.

Will’s bookstore that appears in the movie exists in real life and is at number 142 Portobello Road . Today, the bookstore Travel Book Shop there’s even a poster and lettering referencing the movie.

Will’s house is also real: it’s on the 280 Westbourne Park Road , street full of semi-detached houses and beyond scenographic. In the neighborhood, filming still went through the Golborne Road and for Lansdowne Road .

Today, in addition to bars and pubs, Notting Hill is also home to starred restaurants: this is the case of Core by Clare Smyth with three Michelin stars and led by chef Clare Smyth and the The Ledbury with two Michelin stars and played by the chef Brett Graham .

In Notting Hill is also the The Coronet Theater , theater in a historic building with a 195-seat main auditorium and a 90-seat studio. From 1923 to 2014, the site operated as a cinema, as shown in “A Place Called Notting Hill” when Will watches a movie starring Anna Scott.

Kenwood House

Surrounded by gardens, Kenwood House in the Hampstead area also features in the film and is one of London’s “hidden gems”. The venue is free to enter and is home to a world-renowned art collection by artists such as Vermeer and Rembrandt.

There are about 45 hectares of parks and outdoor areas that visitors can visit, including an agenda aimed at children on certain days and periods.

The Ritz London

Opened in 1906, the ritz hotel remains a luxury and historic landmark in the heart of London. Located in Piccadilly, the hotel is steps away from Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, for example.

Hosting celebrities, heads of state, royalty and movie stars, the hotel was also used for filming A Place Called Notting Hill.

Suites come with butler service and the hotel is known for its afternoon tea service in the mirrored Palm Court lounge. The main restaurant is Ritz Restaurant with one Michelin star and led by the executive chef john williams .

The Savoy