Notting Hill & Kensington: Walking Tour with Cream Tea

Summary

Notting Hill strolls, Portobello treasures, Kensington gardens and a British cream tea

You’ll join locals and fellow travelers for a walking tour through Notting Hill’s iconic streets, explore Portobello Market’s lively stalls, wander Kensington Gardens’ peaceful paths, and end with takeaway cream tea enjoyed right by the palace grounds. Expect laughter, real stories from your guide, and those small details that make London feel personal.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely made it out of the Notting Hill Gate tube when our guide—Sam, with this kind of dry wit—pointed out a blue door tucked between pastel houses. “That’s the one,” he said, and I swear half our group tried to play it cool while sneaking photos. There was this faint smell of rain on old brick, mixed with coffee drifting from some little shop nearby. Sam started telling us about the Notting Hill Carnival—how wild it gets every August—and I realized I’d only ever thought of this place as movie set, not somewhere people actually live and celebrate.

Portobello Road was louder than I expected. The market felt like it had its own heartbeat—clinking teacups, someone calling out prices for strawberries, a busker playing something jazzy near a stall selling mismatched china. I got distracted by a pile of vintage scarves (couldn’t help it), but Sam found me before I wandered too far. He knew nearly every vendor by name; there was an older woman selling books who winked at us when Sam tried to haggle for a battered copy of Dickens. It felt like we were part of the neighborhood for an hour or two.

Kensington Gardens was quieter—almost suddenly so. The grass was still damp from last night’s rain, and you could hear kids laughing somewhere off by the Diana memorial. We walked past the palace gates and stopped near these enormous trees where sunlight kept shifting through the leaves. By then my feet were starting to ache (should’ve worn better shoes), but there was this calm that made me want to just sit down and watch London go by for a bit.

The best part? At the end we each got a little box with scones, clotted cream, jam, and a hot cup of tea—proper cream tea, not that fancy afternoon stuff. We sat in the palace grounds eating outside; I managed to drop jam on my jeans immediately (classic). There was something about drinking tea in that spot—with all those stories swirling around—that stuck with me after we left. If you’re looking for a day trip in London that feels both local and special… well, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Notting Hill and Kensington

• Visit Notting Hill and blue door
• Explore Portobello Road Market
• Walk through Kensington Gardens
• See Princess Diana memorial statue
• Enjoy takeaway cream tea in Palace Grounds

Top questions

How long is the Notting Hill & Kensington walking tour?

The tour covers Notting Hill, Portobello Road Market, Kensington Gardens, and ends near Royal Albert Hall; expect several hours on foot.

Is cream tea included during the tour?

Yes, takeaway cream tea (scone with clotted cream & jam plus tea) is included at the end to enjoy in the Palace Grounds.

Are strollers or prams allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers throughout the tour.

Can people with gluten intolerance join this tour?

The tour is not recommended for anyone who is celiac or has gluten intolerance due to the included cream tea.

Does this walking tour include entry into Kensington Palace?

No entry to Kensington Palace itself is included; you’ll explore its gardens and grounds instead.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to both start and end points of the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Notting Hill’s colorful streets, time at Portobello Road Market with your local guide sharing stories along the way, wandering Kensington Gardens up to Royal Albert Hall—and finishes with takeaway cream tea (fresh scone with clotted cream and jam plus hot tea) enjoyed outdoors in the palace grounds before heading off on your own again.