On Saturdays, Portobello Road becomes the world’s largest antique market. Get here early and you’ll see dealers listlessly turning over items, haggling with bored-looking faces, and then peeling off banknotes from vast rolls stuffed in their pockets. Don’t be discouraged, however; this is serious dealing, and there are bargains to be had if you look closely enough. There’s no fancy packing either; you’ll often get your goods wrapped in newspaper and shoved in a supermarket plastic bag. Portobello Road is more than just a Saturday event, so for a less claustrophobic experience, come during the week. You can browse the dealers’ shops that spread into Westbourne Grove and Elgin Crescent; they sell almost every kind of antique imaginable, from autographs to walking sticks, carpets to Wedgwood china, doorknobs to teddy bears. Remember, whatever you buy has to fly home with you, unless you want to pay for shipping (and most dealers will ship to the U.S.). So, look for small things that are quintessentially British – a delicate Victorian silver salt spoon perhaps, or a long-handled pickle fork, ideal for getting that elusive last gherkin from the bottom of the jar. If all that makes you homesick, head for the Hummingbird Bakery and gorge on U.S.-style cupcakes and cookies.