Notting Hill - Regent's Canal Path

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Notting Hill, Portobello and Regent's Canal Path, with Detectives helping DCI Richie Famous investigate the mysterious death of market stallholder Goldie Trinket, following witness reports and tracking down the incriminating evidence left behind.

The investigation covers approximately 3 miles and should take around 2.5 hours to complete. You'll begin on Pembridge Road, around the corner from Notting Hill Gate station, then work through the colourful streets of Notting Hill and Portobello, Portobello Road, Golborne Road, Meanwhile Gardens and a canal towpath section before returning towards the start.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. It is described as a level walking route, but there is a hill up from Chepstow Villas onto Kensington Park Road, a canal towpath section of about 300m, and a number of roads to cross using zebra crossings.

Stay alert for traffic, including bicycles, especially around roads and side roads. The canal towpath has unfenced open water beside it, so keep away from the water's edge and note the position of lifebuoys. A suggested scenic route diversion takes you through Meanwhile Gardens and along the canal towpath.

The world-famous market can get very busy and congested on Saturdays until 6.30 pm. Thursdays are half-days, with the market closing at 1 pm.

Getting There

By car: The investigation begins on Pembridge Road, around the corner from Notting Hill Gate station (W11 3HP). To return to the start after cracking the case, continue to the end of Portobello Road, then turn right back to Pembridge Road and Notting Hill Gate.

By public transport: You can reach the start by using London Underground via the Central, District or Circle lines. Begin along Pembridge Road, around the corner from Notting Hill Gate station.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets can be found between Clues 05-06 (20p), 07-08 (not Sundays), Clue 10 (20p), 11-12 (not Sundays), and 17-18 (20p).

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation 🐾

The route includes busy streets, road crossings, sections by roads and side roads, runners and cyclists on the towpath, and around 300m beside unfenced open water. Keep canine colleagues close around traffic, bicycles and the canal edge while you gather the evidence.

Food & Drink Stops

Detective work around markets is hungry business. There are plenty of coffee shops, cafes and food stalls to choose from between Clues 01-12 and at the end of the route.

Golborne Road has a thriving six-day market with hot food vendors including Thai, freshly cooked fish, Moroccan foods and falafel, plus fruit and vegetables and household produce.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Portobello Road Market

The route follows colourful Portobello Road and its world-famous market, a brilliant place to soak up the neighbourhood atmosphere once the evidence trail is under control. It can get very busy and congested on Saturdays until 6.30 pm, while Thursdays are half-days, with the market closing at 1 pm.

Golborne Road Market

Golborne Road brings another feast for the senses, with a thriving six-day market and an array of hot food vendors including Thai, freshly cooked fish, Moroccan foods and falafel, alongside fruit, vegetables and household produce. The shops and market here led to the area being dubbed 'Little Morocco'.

Meanwhile Gardens and the canal towpath

The investigation heads into Meanwhile Gardens and then along the canalside path, making this a scenic breather from the streets. The towpath stretch is about 300m long and has unfenced open water beside it, so keep away from the water's edge and watch for runners and cyclists.

Trellick Tower

Trellick Tower is a Grade II listed building designed by Hungarian brutalist architect Erno Goldfinger. It has featured on t-shirts, adverts, films and several music videos by Blur, Gorillaz, Hard-Fi and Depeche Mode, and is thought to have inspired J.G. Ballard's novel High Rise.

142 Portobello Road

Film-loving Detectives can look out for 142 Portobello Road, the location of the 'Travel Bookshop' run by William Thacker in the film Notting Hill. It is a neat little extra for anyone who enjoys spotting screen locations while following the clues.