Travels in...Notting Hill

Ever since Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant starred in the hugely successful eponymous film, Notting Hill had had a reputation for uppercut society. This may be true but it's still got a cracking arts and entertainment scene that isn't afraid to get a bit down and dirty. The Notting Hill Arts Club is one of my favourite London venues; it offers live music throughout the week and a variety of quirky and creative events. There are also plenty of great venues for top notch comedy nearby and the renowned Gate Theatre is one of the best fringe theatre venues in our great capital.

With more posh art galleries then you could shake a mahogany stick at, there isn't a shortage of refinement but those in search of a bargain shouldn't neglect the wonderful Portobello Market. For music, clothes, food and bric-a-brac; this market is equally popular with tourists and locals, but get there early because it become very crowded on a Saturday afternoon.

I sidled along to a few of these West London haunts just this morning and I'm already starting to see some of the preparations get underway for the legendary Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place at the end of next month. Expect plenty of info about that coming up on my Twitter feed. It's always a fantastic event so if you've never made it down there before then make this year the first of many!