Literary Tour of Portobello

Walks, England, Greater London, Kensington and Chelsea

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Map preview for Literary Tour of Portobello
  • Begin your walk in Pembridge Square.

    Step 1: Begin your walk in Pembridge Square.

  • Step 2: This tour is curated by KCAW partner Tom Vague, a music journalist, exhibitions curator and community project coordinator with strong links to the borough.

  • The local literary classic, ‘The Napoleon of Notting Hill’ by GK Chesterton, was published in 1904, set 80 years in the future in 1984.

    Step 3: The local literary classic, ‘The Napoleon of Notting Hill’ by GK Chesterton, was published in 1904, set 80 years in the future in 1984.

  • Step 4: The story was inspired by Chesterton’s Tory anarchist revelation that a row of shops in North Kensington should be defended from civic interference.

  • Step 5: The Lord High Provost of Notting Hill takes King Auberon seriously and fights to save ‘Pump Street’ (a literary Chesterton property near Pembridge Square) from demolition.

  • Step 6: After a battle at the beginning of Portobello Road, Notting Hill wins the war but is changed for the worse and loses the final battle to the rest of London.

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