Potteries and Piggeries

Notting Hill is synonymous with affluence nowadays. It is - and always has been - an area of stark contrasts. Alongside the wealthier areas around Ladbroke Grove, it was also home to one of London's most notorious slums in Notting Dale. 

Nestled between Ladbroke Grove, Holland Park Avenue and Shepherd's Bush, Notting Dale is now a fashionable area, with less-than-affordable housing. Yet, up until the the mid-19th century, this area was occupied by potteries and piggeries. The only real reminder of this period is the bottle kiln in Walmer Road (opposite Avondale Park), just a couple of minutes away from Pottery Lane.

In 2013, the BBC broadcast a series titled The Secret History of Our Streets. One of the episodes was dedicated to Portland Road (which is very near the Kiln). 

Bottle Kiln in Walmer Road, just opposite Avondale Park  © Jason Enright