London Notting Hill

Like we said, Portobello Rd. is truly where it’s at. Otherwise, shopping options in Notting Hill consist mainly of antique stores, souvenir sellers and high-end clothing shops.

Music and Video Exchange 42 Notting Hill Gate ( www.mveshops.co.uk) Though part of a chain, this Music and Video Exchange will entertain any audiophile endlessly. The staff engage in Hornby-esque conversations oozing with musical knowledge, while customers browse through the vinyls, CDs, and cassettes in the bargain area. Upstairs in the rarities section, you can find anything from original vinyl of the Rolling Stones' Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!(£12) to the original German sleeve for the Beatles' final record, Let it Be. Customers can trade in their own stuff in exchange for cash or—in a move betraying MVE's cold-hearted understanding of a music lover's brain—twice the cash amount in store vouchers. Notting Hill Gate. Walk out the south entrance and go down Notting Hill Gate. Open daily 10am-8pm. Takes credit cards.

The Travel Bookshop 13-15 Blenheim Crescent (020 7229 5260; www.thetravelbookshop.com) You may be tempted to disregard this bookstore as soon as you figure out why Americans are taking their pictures in front of it, but that would be a mistake. The inspiration for the "Travel Book Company" in the film Notting Hill, the shop has all the charm the filmmakers thought it had. The shelves are piled high with travel literature, travel guides, and maps. You can even find stylish postcards, children's books, and historical literature. We're sure you're perfectly content with the travel book you're currently using, but the shop's worth a browse. Notting Hill Gate. Exit the station from the north exit. Turn right onto Pembridge Rd. and then left onto Portobello Rd. Follow Portobello down and turn left on Blenheim Crescent. Open M-Sa 10am-6pm, Su noon-5pm. Takes credit cards.

Antiques

Hirst Antiques, 59 Pembridge Rd. (☎ 020 7727 9364; www.hirstantiques.co.uk), Notting Hill Gate. Often featured in magazines and frequented by celebs (ahem, Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley, David Beckham) ...more

Books

Books for Cooks, 4 Blenheim Crescent (☎ 020 7221 1992; www.booksforcooks.com), Ladbroke Grove. An delightful shop devoted to all types of cookbooks, from breads and coffee to vegetarian dishes and desserts ...more

Clothes

Oxfam Boutique, 245 Westbourne Grove (☎ 020 7229 5000; www.oxfam.org.uk/fashion), One of three Oxfam boutiques opened in London in 2008, this shop takes only the best of what Notting Hill’s well-heeled ...more

Music

Rough Trade, 130 Talbot Rd. Ladbroke Grove. Don’t be overwhelmed by the large selection—small reviews tacked to most CDs and records (from £5) will counsel you. Try the in-store turntables, test CDs ...more

Miscellany

Fussy Nation, 183 Portobello Rd. (☎ 020 7727 6426; www.fussynation.co.uk), Ladbroke Grove. A funky, somewhat saucy shop for boys and girls, with a selection of clothes (tops £65), shoes (£45), and ...more