A Home from Home: Notting Hill since the 1950s

London’s ever-changing West side neighbourhood.

Paddington Bear was brought to life in the Spring of 1957 by author Michael Bond, while he and his wife lived in a small flat in Notting Hill. The bear was a migrant who settled into an area that was already the home of many other incomers, and many of his adventures are set around Portobello Road market and the surrounding streets. Despite Paddington’s warm welcome with the Brown family, the late 1950s were a time of unease in Notting Hill, with widespread poverty and spells of tension and violence between communities. Although much changed today, but still eclectic and inspiring, the area celebrates its rich mix of cultures.

Broadcaster and writer Robert Elms, who grew up in Ladbroke Grove, is joined by guests including artist, educator and carnivalist Linett Kamala and author and former politician Alan Johnson, who documented his early years in North Kensington in This Boy.

The conversation in the British Library Theatre will be followed by Late at the Library: London is the Place for Me featuring Tobago and D’Lime which also includes access to our Paddington exhibition. You can buy tickets to include entry to both events or for each event separately.