Notting Hill Carnival: the Caribbean in Britain

Made world-famous by the film Coup de Foudre à Notting Hill, the romantic comedy par excellence starring Julia Robert and Hugh Grant (it could only have been them), this residential area ofWest London richly deserves its reputation as a hotbed oflove and romance. Tourists flock here in droves to photograph the charming Victorian houses with their pastel-coloured facades and, who knows, maybe meet a true love with British charm and humour.

Londoners also enjoy strolling through the quiet streets of the district, especially on Saturday mornings: this is the day of the Notting Hill market in Portobello, the perfect place to pick up vintage relics, both furniture and clothing, from the 2,000 or so stalls on display.

Notting Hill's antique shops are full ofquirky, typically British items that will make perfect souvenirs to bring back from your trip to England. Many 100% English pubs welcome visitors and locals for lunch, such as The Churchill Arms, which Winston Churchill's grandparents regularly visited in the 1800s.

While you're in the area, take the opportunity to visit the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, which exhibits the history of brands and packaging from the Victorian era to the present day. Those in a hurry can also catch a film at the Electric Cinema, which dates back to 1910 and offers a unique cinematic experience with sofas and even double beds in the auditorium! But on the last weekend in August, the quiet neighbourhood is abuzz with activity for the Notting Hill Carnival...

Historically, a large proportion of Notting Hill's population is of Caribbean origin, particularly from Trinidad. In 1958, following a series of racist attacks, the neighbourhood's Caribbean community united in protest. Eight years later, in 1966, the first official Notting Hill Carnival was held.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the festivities were regularly the scene of clashes between festival-goers and the police, who even tried to have the carnival banned. Fortunately, hostilities have since subsided and the Notting Hill Carnival is regarded as proof of the successful integration of immigrants in the United Kingdom.

The Notting Hill Carnival attracts hundreds of thousands of festival-goers every year, making it the second biggest carnival in the world behind the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. It's the biggest street festival in Europe!

Visitors and Londoners alike flock to this legendary spectacle, which livens up the streets of Notting Hill and puts Caribbean culture in the spotlight every year. Needless to say, when it comes to food and refreshments, traditional products such as jerk chicken - a dish typical of the island of Jamaica - and punch will be on offer at every stall along the route.

The Notting Hill Carnival takes place over three days, from Saturday to Monday, on the last weekend of August. While the parades actually take place on Sunday and Monday, Notting Hill Carnival officially kicks off on Saturday with the Panorama Steelband Grand National Competition. This competition, which originated in the Caribbean, rewards the best percussion groups.

Eight groups are expected to perform a ten-minute composition without score. The event takes place all afternoon at Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park, and tickets cost around £10. Caribbean music is at the heart of the Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place all weekend to the tunes of samba, reggae and calypso.

The rest of the weekend is filled with the parades and parades that are the main attraction of the Notting Hill Carnival. Sunday is the most family-friendly day: there are parades all day long, with entertainment including a special parade for children from 9am. So it's a fairly quiet day, suitable for everyone.

But to really celebrate the opening of the Notting Hill Carnival known as'J'Ouvert', you'll have to get up at the crack of dawn. This Caribbean tradition comes straight from Trinidad and Tobago and starts at 6am, at sunrise. A parade accompanied by steel bands is planned in West London, and paint will also be sprayed on your costumes.

The last day of the Notting Hill Carnival is the day of the Great Western Road Parade. From 8am, the parades towards West London begin. Steel bands, sound systems, dancing and street performances celebrate the different cultures of the West Indies until 8.30pm. The route is almost five kilometres long and ends with a panel of judges judging the best processions. If you want to see the most colourful costumes and the most impressive floats, you have to come on Monday!

More than 300 Caribbean stands will be on hand to satisfy the hungry and the thirsty. As well as the traditional grilled fish accompanied by plantains, gourmets will be able to sample all the specialities of the Caribbean. Scattered around the city, mobile stages and static stages will allow festival-goers to dance and enjoy the shows during this bank holiday Monday.

For the hardcore party-goers who want to stay in the festive mood in the evening, after-parties are being organised all over the city. Unlike the street festival, these are private and chargeable. The most popular is the Ministry of Sound, but you can also go to Macbeth in Hoxton or Covent Garden.

📆 When does the Notting Hill Carnival take place?

The Notting Hill Carnival festivities take place over three days, from Saturday to Monday, on the last weekend in August.

👕 How should you dress for Notting Hill Carnival?

Don't forget to pack colourful clothes and fun accessories: unusual hats, feather boas, costume jewellery... anything goes! Comfortable shoes are preferable to pretty heels, though, as your feet will be put to the test by following the catwalks and wandering between the food stalls.

🎒 What should you pack in your bag?

On the big day, pack a bottle of water, sun cream and sunglasses, as well as an umbrella! The exoticism and warmth of the Caribbean will almost make you forget you're in England...

🚌 How do I get to the Notting Hill carnival?

Car traffic is completely banned for the duration of the carnival, so you have to get there by public transport:

• Notting Hill Gate station: Central (red), Circle (yellow) and District (green) lines.
• Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road stations: Hammersmith & City (pink) and Circle lines
• Holland Park and Shepherd's Bush stations: Central line