The famous Portobello Road antiques and flea market in Notting Hill takes place every Saturday although there are also stalls from Monday-Friday. Running from from Chepstow Villas to just under the Westway, it is a colorful, dynamic stretch of London that oozes trendiness and fun.

On Saturday, it’s huge, with over 2,000 stalls, selling everything from books to bric-a-brac and lace to Limoges - even fashion and exotic cooking ingredients are on sale. Thousands of people mill around browsing second-hand clothing stalls or choosing outlandish material. For those who have the patience to search, there are some fantastic bargains.

This really is the place to shop-and-eat and then shop some more. It is best to go in the morning, by the afternoon you will find yourself getting a little flustered winding your way through the crowds.