Know about Portobello road, the world's largest antique market

New Delhi: Portobello road, situated at the Notting Hill district of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London. It is known for its second hand clothes and antiques. One of the best loved landmarks, it contains an exquisite collection of antiques in the world. Portobello road was earlier a winding country path called Green Lane. In 1940, after the construction of Portobello farm, it was called Portobello Lane. By 1850s, during the Victorian era, the market flourished. Shops and stalls began to set up as well to do residents inhabited the place. By 1945 many “Rag and Bone” men began setting up stalls and selling second hand household items and antiques, kick starting the now world famous antiques section of the market. Originally, the market began as a fresh fruit market, but when the antiques business boomed, other traders too stepped in the same shoes. The market section of Portobello road runs in a direction generally between the north-northwest and the south-south-east. The northern terminus is at Golborne Road; the southern end is at Westbourne Grove, to the east. The market area is about 1,028 yards (940 m) long. About one third of the way from its north end, the market runs beneath adjacent bridges of the A40 road and the Hammersmith & City line of the London Underground. Here the market focuses on second hand clothes as well as trendy couture. The antiques shops are open on Saturdays. The trading starts around 8.30-9 am. The antique section which is the main attraction of the market is located near Notting Hill Tube station. Beautiful and wide array of antiques are available dating from BC to 1960s. Glass, silver, crystal, books etc are sold. Apart from antiques, there are also Fruit and veggies market where you will find a few bread stalls, cakes, a fish mongers and a cheese stall here. The fashion market is where second hand clothes are sold. Vintage bags, fur coats, designer look alike are sold at a cheap rate. The Portobello Road is also famous for the Notting Hill Carnival. Every year, during the August Bank Holiday weekend London hosts Europe's biggest street festival – Notting Hill Carnival.The Caribbean themed event fills West London with a feelgood party atmosphere as colourful floats and costumed performers parade their way through the streets of London to the rhythmic sound of steel bands and Calypso music.