Held since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival is under threat for 2009 due to concerns over public safety but we'd be surprised if it doesn't go ahead. Originally a local affair for west London's homesick Caribbean community, this has evolved into Europe's biggest street party. Carnival sets London on fire in a blaze of Caribbean spirit as extravagantly costumed dancers, calypso and soca musicians, giant soundsystems and steelbands are joined by over a million revellers of all ages. Sunday is officially Children's Day, but there are loads of kids on both days enjoying the bright colours of the floats and the dancers' feathered costumes. Adults can shake their battys at dozens of stages: our favourites are Channel 1's booming dub, and the jazz-reggae at Gaz's Rockin' Blues, but there are tunes for all tastes, from house to hip-hop. It's a huge area, and can get very crowded, so be prepared for an exhausting day out, but for anyone who loves a party, Carnival remains the absolute highlight of the London summer.
Halloween Scream V: 5th Anniversary Party
Notting Hill Arts Club, 221 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JQ
Saturday 31st October 2009
Get this: it's Halloween, so in true traditional... More
Honeyjam
267 Portobello Road, W11 1LR
A replica toy Aga is, apparently, this uber trendy toyshop's best-selling item - hardly surprising given the store's proximity to Notting Hill,... More
Christmas at The Windsor Castle Pub
114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR
Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2008
The Windsor Castle is one... More
The Fish Shop at Kensington Place
201 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LX
This tidy little fishmongers attached to a restaurant has the largest and most impressive items... More
Melt
59 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA
Regular tastings, an on-site, open-view kitchen, award-winning master-chocolatier, Keith Hurdman, and some of the best chocs in town make ‘Melt’ a... More
Visit the studios where Newsround is recorded and play with the props of your favourite CBBC programmes on the CBBC Interactive Tour behind-the-scenes at BBC ...More
Big-haired cynic Simon Amstell recently announced he was giving up Never Mind The Buzzcocks to concentrate on his live work. And so here he is, ...More
Wrap yourself in Victorian elegance at this exclusive hotel. Located in peaceful residential street close to Notting Hill gate, the shops and nightlife of the ... More
Located in London’s fashionable Kensington, near the tranquil delights of Holland Park, stay in one of over 600 beautifully decorated guestrooms. Providing all the facilities ... More
The famous Portobello Road antiques and flea market in Notting Hill takes place every Saturday although there are also stalls from Monday to Friday. Running ... More
Neal’s Yard Remedies are still going strong after more than two decades and they continue to stand by their commitment to creating only natural remedies ... More
Portobello Gold is a Notting Hill institution, a chic boutique hotel with a restaurant and a busy internet coffee house on the ground floor. Locals ... More
A plush and wonderfully relaxing health and beauty centre using the ancient Indian healing system Ayurveda. It offers a wide range of treatments including detoxification, ... More
Elevated on an incline in the appropriately named Notting Hill, the rustic old Windsor Castle pub was so-called because in its early days the pub’s ... More
12 Acklam Road is a shiny club devoted to musical excellence, mind altering cocktails and social shenanigans. Built from the shell of the old Subterania, ...More
Held since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival is under threat for 2009 due to concerns over public safety but we'd be surprised if it doesn't go ahead. Originally a local affair for west London's homesick Caribbean community, this has evolved into Europe's biggest street party. Carnival sets London on fire in a blaze of Caribbean spirit as extravagantly costumed dancers, calypso and soca musicians, giant soundsystems and steelbands are joined by over a million revellers of all ages. Sunday is officially Children's Day, but there are loads of kids on both days enjoying the bright colours of the floats and the dancers' feathered costumes. Adults can shake their battys at dozens of stages: our favourites are Channel 1's booming dub, and the jazz-reggae at Gaz's Rockin' Blues, but there are tunes for all tastes, from house to hip-hop. It's a huge area, and can get very crowded, so be prepared for an exhausting day out, but for anyone who loves a party, Carnival remains the absolute highlight of the London summer.
