Portobello Road is split into two sections by the Westway/Hammersmith and City line.
Like the southern end of Portobello Road, the northern section began its life as a country track called Green Lane. It became Portobello Lane after Portobello Farm, itself renamed after a famous navel battle.
The northern W10 section developed a different character from the southern W11 end - while the famous market stretches into both postcodes, the northern end is much more local and somewhat less antiques-based. At the far northern end the road develops into a residential character.