going nottinghill carnival any tips?

surfsister

Hiya

we are staying in the bayswater area of London Notting Hill carnival weekend and wonder if anybody has any tips for us??

We will walk to Westbourne Grove as it is quite near. any idea how long it might take for the carnival to travel from the start at Gt. Western Rd to Westbourne Grove???

I assume it will be really busy so any need to get there early to get a good spot??

thanks!

Stompa

surfsister wrote: »

We will walk to Westbourne Grove as it is quite near. any idea how long it might take for the carnival to travel from the start at Gt. Western Rd to Westbourne Grove???

If previous years are anything to go by, I doubt it'll get there much before about midday or 1pm. The procession moves very slowly and tends to come along in dribs and drabs, so a few floats, then maybe a 10 minute gap, then a few more floats, then another 10 minute gap, etc. I've never waited until the end, but it'll certainly take several hours to pass by.

surfsister wrote: »

I assume it will be really busy so any need to get there early to get a good spot??

Yes, it will be very busy, I've never seen so many people gathered in such a small area, for example:



though I find Westbourne Grove to be one of the less crowded parts. The crowds can be a bit scary at times, and you sometimes have no option but to go with the flow.

It'll also be extremely (and I mean extremely!) loud, so you might want to consider earplugs.

It's a fantastic event though, that everybody should experience at least once.

dacouch

Red Stripe.

surfsister

thanks stompa!! So I don't need to rush to get there then and take some earplugs!!!

johnnyreggae

Look at the crush in the photo : wear no jewellery - carry no bag - nothing tempting

surfsister

sorry late to reply yes we we won't take anything with us!!

princesslizzie

Don't defecate on anyone's property. Someone did on our front door last year

Hope you enjoyed!

wealdroam

princesslizzie wrote: »

Don't defecate on anyone's property. Someone did on our front door last year

Hope you enjoyed!

So someone has to remember that tip for over fifty-one weeks.

What are the chances of that?

surfsister

yes thanks all we had a great day and no trouble!!

will go again next year if we can