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Living in Notting Hill: restaurateur Bill Granger on the west London district he ‘accidentally emigrated’ to
We were living by the beach in Sydney, which is a real car city; we had an estate car and felt like we’d become a bit suburban so we decided to change our lives and moved to Notting Hill for a year, back in 2009 – we kind of accidentally emigrated.
We rented a few houses within a few streets of each other then when Brexit happened, the pound dropped and suddenly we could afford to buy.
A friend once said living in Australia, it’s like there’s a party in the northern hemisphere that you’re not invited to. Once you live in London you get real Fomo living anywhere else.
Best eating and drinking
Notting Hill’s dining scene has exploded in the past few years, it just keeps getting better and better.
I tend to go to Clarke’s for the lunch special, I love the way it’s Sally Clarke’s world.
You know you’re in London when you’ve got Prince Harry on a nearby table. Also Falafel King on Golborne Road for a fast lunch.
That’s what I love about this area, it’s a real mix of what makes London great, that formality but also that casualness and street life. You don’t get that in Sydney.
Where I work out
I go to Opus Fitness, which is amazing for Pilates classes, Hiit.
Bodyism also does amazing classes – Jamie Yike is the best Pilates teacher in London.
For a culture fix
The Tabernacle is a centre of the community. It’s got amazing talks, events, great theatre, sessions, things to keep you up to date.
To commune with nature
Hyde Park is brilliantly walkable and also Wormwood Scrubs is a wilder one for dog walking.
If you’re lucky enough to have a friend who lives on one of the private gardens, they’re also all pretty extraordinary.
Grocery shopping
You’ve got Bens for fruit and veg, Natoora, Provenance butchers, the Notting Hill Fish Shop, Layla Bakery, Skye Gyngell has opened up Spring farm shop, Sally Clarke’s for pastries, Ottolenghi for Sunday morning croissants – it’s a real who’s who of food.
I never go to the supermarket. I shop daily and cook dinner every night, it’s how I get my exercise in the afternoon.
I walk up to the fish shop, go back down Portobello. I do it every day. It’s a great privilege that I can do that.
Getting around
When we moved to London from Sydney, one of the things we wanted was street life, so I walk everywhere.
My office is in all my restaurants so I travel between them. I might walk 50 minutes or so on the way there and then get the Hammersmith & City or Central line back.
Something you only see in Notting Hill
People live on the street, which is quite Australian.
London can be quite an indoor city but in Notting Hill, from the markets to the cafes – people live on the street, which I like a lot.
I also like the mix of people from tourists, locals, long-term locals and royals. You swing high to low, that extraordinary London mix, smart and cool.
Hidden gems
The canal, it’s still rough and ready but I think that’s kind of charming. The fact that there’s this waterway in the middle of the city and no one’s using it.
What’s the catch?
The prices, but that’s the catch of London.
We rented for many years before we finally bought but I realise it’s worth it for the day-to-day life, I like things outside my door.
In three words
It’s home, which is really strange for me to actually say that. It’s fun. There’s a sunniness to Notting Hill, the way people look, the fashion, the energy. So home, fun, sunny.
Schools
There are several private schools in the area, including Wetherby, where Princes William and Harry attended pre-prep.
State options include Colville Primary and Thomas Jones Primary, both Ofsted outstanding, and Tabernacle School, Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary, Avondale Park Primary, and St Clement and St James CofE Primary, all rated good.
What it costs to live in Notting Hill
Average flat price: £970,851
Average house price: £3,641,767
Average price to rent a flat: £3,240 a month
Average price to rent a house: £7,534 a month
Source: Rightmove
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