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Notting Hill Carnival 2015

Notting Hill Carnival information

Plan your day at Carnival now – here’s all you need to know about travel, visiting with children and staying safe

Written by
Michael Curle
,
Alim Kheraj
&
Charlie Allenby
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It’s that time of year again — Notting Hill Carnival is almost upon us. London’s annual celebration of Caribbean history and culture is always one of the year’s highlights, with warm-up and afterparties also setting the mood over August bank holiday weekend. 

Carnival is more than just Europe’s largest street festival, however. Along with an estimated 2.5 million attendees that make their way to W10 and W11 over the long weekend, there are the floats, trucks and, of course, the soundsystems. And this year, to mark two years since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, there will also be a 72-second silence at 3pm on both days in memory of each of the victims.

With so much going on and so many people, it can be tricky to figure out exactly what you need to know to have the time of your life while also staying safe. So get prepared with all the must-know information before you head to west London…

WHICH DAY TO GO?
If you’re after a more chilled NHC experience, the Sunday (August 25) is family day, while the Monday (August 26) is the more hard-partying parade.

THE TIMETABLE
The festivities kick off with the opening ceremony at 10am on Sunday, with the parade starting at 10.30am, while Monday’s parade starts at 10am. Judging of Carnival’s many mas bands finishes at 6.30pm. Soundsystems play on both days, with a strict noise curfew of 7pm, giving floats, trucks and parade bands time to clear the streets by 8.30pm.

TRAVEL

– Underground
The nearest tube stations without significant disruptions are High Street Kensington, Queen’s Park, Shepherd’s Bush, Bayswater and Paddington, although some of these will be exit-only. Nearby tube stations may shut temporarily to avoid overcrowding and some are subject to restrictions on both Sunday and Monday. Keep an eye on TfL’s Twitter accounts for the latest information.

Bayswater and Paddington will be open as usual. It is advisable to use these stations rather than those with restrictions.
Holland Park closes at 6pm on both days.
Ladbroke Grove will be closed on both days.
Latimer Road will close at 11.30pm on both days.
Notting Hill Gate will be exit-only from 11am-7pm on both days. Circle and District line trains will not stop here between 11am-7pm on both days. There will also be no interchange between the District and Circle and Central lines all day on both days.
Royal Oak will be exit-only from 11am-6pm on both days and will close at 6pm.
Westbourne Park will be exit-only 11am-6pm both days and will close at 11.30pm.



– Overground
Due to improvements being made on the North London line, there will be no trains between Camden Road and Willesden Junction and Kensal Rise station will be closed. Shepherd’s Bush station will be open but services between Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction will only start running at 11.15am on Sunday.

 
– Buses
There will be extra services on routes 2 and 36, but no buses will enter the Carnival area from first thing on Sunday until the first service on Tuesday morning. Night buses in the area will also be subject to diversions. On both Sunday and Monday, bus services will start from Notting Hill Gate in the south and from The Prince of Wales on Harrow Road (close to Elgin Avenue) in the north. Bus stops within the area will have information on diversions and disruptions but check TfL’s website for the latest info.

BRINGING KIDS
Sunday has always been family day at Notting Hill Carnival, but this year the organisers really want it to be one for the kids. Arrive early to beat the crowds. Bring snacks and water. Top tip: write your mobile number on your child’s arm, so you can be easily contacted if you get separated.



NAVIGATE WITH AN APP
Carnival organisers have produced a handy app, complete with GPS. Available from the Apple Store and Google Play

More Notting Hill Carnival

Route map
  • Music
  • Reggae and dancehall

Navigate your way through this year’s Carnival with our map of the main parade, bars, toilets and tube stops.

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