Tuesday, 20 April 2010

N is for...

Notting Hill Gate

Notting Hill Gate was the name of a turnpike (or toll) gate which was placed on the road between London and Oxford. The gate was there to prevent anybody passing without paying. The money was used to maintain the upkeep of the road. The gate was removed in the 19th century, but the name stuck.

Nowadays the name is used for one of the many tube stations. And you again have to pay to pass. Either by buying a ticket or by using your Oyster card. The area is now mostly known for the film Notting Hill (with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts) and for the August carnaval taking place there.

For more N-words from around the world, please check out ABC Wednesday and join in the fun!

17 comments:

  1. I wondered why the name sounded familiar, I had almost forgotten about the movie! And it was great one! Interesting word for the N day! Hope you have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  2. It sounds so glamorous : ) I love it! : ) Did you like that movie? I remember thinking the houses were so pretty in the movie!

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  3. Notting Hill is one of my wife's favorite movies.

    An Arkies Musings

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  4. Your posts are full of interesting facts Mara. Another great one. My daughter is taking her daughter to the Notting Hill Carnival this year. A

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  5. Interesting story behind the name.
    Great movie and I would love to visit there one day.

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  6. Yes, good movie...and I thought your "Pasta" post was darling...hanging on a chair...love it....just love it!

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  7. Thank you for the information.
    I love that movie!!!

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  8. What a fun little bit of trivia! thank you!

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  9. Oh that's interesting! Thank you for the information:-)

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  10. Thank you for this small escape into a nearly holiday like entry of yours. Please have a wonderful Wednesday.

    daily athens

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  11. I never knew the history behind the name. I also loved them movie and now I have a new frame of reference when I watch it again. Thanks for stopping by my place and leaving a nice comment.

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  12. Yes, we all learn the name well from the movie!

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  13. I immediately went there after I had seen the movie, lol ! My son lived for 10 years in London and for me it was so close thanks to the Eurostar so that I was there almost all 6 weeks ! I love London ! Now he has settled down in Amsterdam.

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  14. Oh, this is a good one! And it's a tube station I'm not sure I've even been through!

    Excellent N!

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  15. Kike the movie.

    But the sign, with the graphic, almost looks like a "Do Not" sign with a line thru it. Rather a NOT TING place.


    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  16. I loved that movie.
    It's interesting to know the origins of the name. Nice N post!

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  17. That a was a good movie. Great idea for N.

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Any weighty (and not so weighty) comments are welcome!