Portobello Road

Any real Bedknobs and Broomsticks fan probably started singing this before they even started reading..

"Portobello road, Portobello road
Street where the riches of ages are stowed.
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Is sold off the barrow in Portobello road.
You’ll find what you want in the Portobello road."

And you know what? It's true.
Portobello Road was one of the first "street markets" I visited in London, and remained my favorite throughout the rest of my stay. It's a must see for anyone visiting London, and it's exactly what you would think it would be. Pastel colored row houses providing the perfect backdrop for hundreds of antiques spread along a bustling street. Actually.. bustling isn't quite the right word - it's more like..a completely chaotic mob-filled mosh-pit, but if you can handle this, you can handle just about any tourist attraction in London. I will tell you this - if you can get yourself behind the vendor tents and up on the sidewalk on the right-hand side, it's a bit more bearable.

The street is sort-of broken up into several sections, so make sure you get there early and leave yourself a few hours to get through it all. At the top of the road are antiques and jewelry, next up (and my favorite) are the farmers' stands and food vendors, and at the farthest end of the street is an open-air mall surrounded by clothing and other miscellaneous vendors.

My suggestions?
Buy yourself from fresh fruit and veggies from the farmers' stands.
Try a crepe, and don't tell France (but I liked these ones better than the one I had in Paris).
Browse the jewelry, but don't pay any more than 5 quid for a necklace.
And finally.. wander off the beaten path and explore some of Notting Hill. You're going to need a bit of space after braving this market.