While I was studying abroad I had the opportunity to take a guided tour of a famous neighborhood in London, Notting Hill. If I was to live in London, I would most certainly consider living here! Notting Hill is an eclectic, yet peaceful, neighborhood full of beautiful streets, colorful well-kept rowhouses, one of London’s most famous markets, Portobello Market, and massive gardens available only to residents of Notting Hill.

Our tour guide showed us places where musicians including Lily Allen, the Beatles, Dizzie Rascal, Bob Marley, and Led Zeppelin have recorded and rehearsed their music. The Tabernacle (below) was a former church turned into a rehearsal studio (Dizzie Rascal and Lily Allen rehearsed here). He showed us some of the locations featured in the film, Notting Hill, which we had recently watched in our film class. We also had the chance to see where the Spice Girls filmed Spice World, and a famous hotel where many celebrities, including Johnny Depp, have stayed.

Although Notting Hill is a very wealthy area there are all different types of people that live there, and it has an artsy vibe to it as well. The tour ended at a Banksy piece, a famous graffiti artist in London. Notting Hill has transformed from a troubled neighborhood to become an upscale, residential, and contemporary area in London. Walking along Portobello Road was one of my favorite parts of the day-trip to Notting Hill.

Exploring the nooks and crannies of London was my favorite thing to do while living there. In exactly one month, my friends and I will be returning to our old stomping grounds. I can’t believe how quickly time has passed! I am so looking forward to enjoying crumpets, clotted cream and tea with my London ladies.