Notting Hill Carnival 2012 information

Travel and transport | Driving and parking | Safety and security | Families and children | Useful tips

Travel: tubes, buses and bikes

Travel to and from Notting Hill on Carnival weekend will be restricted and heavily congested, so work out your best route by using the journey planner on www.tfl.gov.uk. Consider making an early or late entrance to the carnival to avoid congestion.

Tube: Notting Hill Gate: Exit only from 11am-6pm on Sunday and Monday. No interchange between the Central Line and the Circle/District Line on either day. On Monday, the Circle/District won’t stop between 12noon-7.30pm. Ladbroke Grove: Shut on both Sunday and Monday. Royal Oak and Westbourne Park: Exit-only between 11am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. The latter shuts at 11.30pm. Latimer Rd: Closes at 11.30pm on Sunday and Monday. Bayswater, Queensway and Paddington: Operating as normal.

Bus: While extra services will be in operation, no buses will enter the Carnival area from first thing Sunday morning until the first service on Tuesday morning. On both days bus services begin from Notting Hill Gate in the south and from Harrow Rd (close to Elgin Avenue) in the north. Night buses will also be subject to disruption, with the N7, N18, N28, N31 and N52 all being diverted.

Bike: Last year the nearest bike-docking stations – Chepstow Villas and Pembridge Road – were removed for Carnival, so don’t rely on be able to dock your bike nearby this year.

Driving and parking

Parking is heavily restricted all weekend and if you do take the car, expect delays.

Safety and security

After last year’s riots and following previous incidents at the Notting Hill Carnival, all eventgoers are advised to be extra vigilant at Carnival this year.

Avoid carrying expensive items, such as jewellery and digital cameras. Take a bag with a secure zip to keep your more valuable possessions in and avoid putting your valuables in your back pocket.

Do tell police if you see an incident. Officers will be stationed throughout the Carnival area.

Don’t try to walk against the flow of the crowd, as you won’t get far.

Drink plenty of water on the day too, especially if the sun makes an appearance.

Children

Children’s Day on Sunday is recommended for families as the smaller crowds and kid-friendly floats create a fun vibe.

Arrange meeting points in case you become separated.

The smaller the buggy, the better. Ideally, use a baby sling if you’re able to.

Ear defenders may be necessary for very young children.

Useful tips

Leave your car at home and make your way to the Carnival on public transport.

The earlier you arrive, the less crowded it will be.

Bring comfy shoes and give flip-flops and open-toed footwear a miss.

Plan your toilet stops to avoid queues, and bring your own loo roll and hand sanitiser.