Notting Hill Carnival

[ozleicester]

Hiya folks, we will be in London on the 29th and noticed the notting hill carnival is on, have heard a little bit about it, just wondered if any FT'ers have attended and can give me any info about the good, bad and difficult?

cheers

[Jaspa]

There's gonna be Po Po everywhere

Absolutely EVERYWHERE

[James.]

I go most years and will be there on Sunday. It's a brilliant day out.

Pros:

1. Quality sound systems and music. Check out the Good Times stage in the north west corner.

2. Loads of jerk chicken.

3. Great atmosphere. You don't get many opportunities to turn a primarily posh part of London into a massive street party.

4. Liberal policing (one year a mate unknowingly started rolling a spliff next to a massive police observation post and was politely asked to do it elsewhere).

Cons:

1. Absolutely shitloads of people. If you don't like crowds, make that London crowds, then don't go.

2. Attitude. Not as bad as some people make out but there is a slight edge to the place, particularly when everyone is shitfaced. You're HIGHLY unlikely to get invovled in any trouble but it does happen sometimes.

3. Transport. Expect to queue for ages and walk miles getting to and from the carnival. All part of the fun in my eyes but just don't expect a "normal" tube service, whatever that is.

4. It shuts at 7.

[ozleicester]

There's gonna be Po Po everywhere

Absolutely EVERYWHERE

Po Po?

[ozleicester]

I go most years and will be there on Sunday. It's a brilliant day out.

Pros:

1. Quality sound systems and music. Check out the Good Times stage in the north west corner.

2. Loads of jerk chicken.

3. Great atmosphere. You don't get many opportunities to turn a primarily posh part of London into a massive street party.

4. Liberal policing (one year a mate unknowingly started rolling a spliff next to a massive police observation post and was politely asked to do it elsewhere).

Cons:

1. Absolutely shitloads of people. If you don't like crowds, make that London crowds, then don't go.

2. Attitude. Not as bad as some people make out but there is a slight edge to the place, particularly when everyone is shitfaced. You're HIGHLY unlikely to get invovled in any trouble but it does happen sometimes.

3. Transport. Expect to queue for ages and walk miles getting to and from the carnival. All part of the fun in my eyes but just don't expect a "normal" tube service, whatever that is.

4. It shuts at 7.

Brilliant thanks, we will prob be there on the monday...says 9pm close on the web?

[James.]

Brilliant thanks, we will prob be there on the monday...says 9pm close on the web?

In my experience they always turn off the music at 7. Might be different this year. Or maybe 9pm is when the actual procession ends. Not sure.

In any case have a great time. It's something everyone should be part of at least once.

[ozleicester]

In my experience they always turn off the music at 7. Might be different this year. Or maybe 9pm is when the actual procession ends. Not sure.

In any case have a great time. It's something everyone should be part of at least once.

ahh your rioght, says the carnival ends at 9pm

[outfoxed]

I went on the Sunday last year and it was terrible. Massively overcrowded to the extent of being crushed just trying to move down a road. I think the Saturday is family day so that might be a better option.

Felt like a real ordeal by the time we'd managed to get home.

[James.]

I went on the Sunday last year and it was terrible. Massively overcrowded to the extent of being crushed just trying to move down a road. I think the Saturday is family day so that might be a better option.

Felt like a real ordeal by the time we'd managed to get home.

There's no carnival on the Saturday. The Sunday is the "family day". Bit misleading though, nothing much family about it to be honest.

If you've got kids then that changes it completely. Probably more hassle than it's worth. Bear in mind my perspective is a good day out with a bunch of mates.

[John Matrix]

Po Po?

that would be a name for the police created by the bay area rapper e-40 aka 40 water aka charlie hustle aka 40 fonzarelli

he also created fo sheezy (or adding eezy onto the end of a word) that became popular worldwide after snoop started using it

[ozleicester]

that would be a name for the police created by the bay area rapper e-40 aka 40 water aka charlie hustle aka 40 fonzarelli

he also created fo sheezy (or adding eezy onto the end of a word) that became popular worldwide after snoop started using it

oh right.. this guy?

[ozleicester]

There's no carnival on the Saturday. The Sunday is the "family day". Bit misleading though, nothing much family about it to be honest.

If you've got kids then that changes it completely. Probably more hassle than it's worth. Bear in mind my perspective is a good day out with a bunch of mates.

No kids... just a couple of older left over left wingers

[outfoxed]

There's no carnival on the Saturday. The Sunday is the "family day". Bit misleading though, nothing much family about it to be honest.

If you've got kids then that changes it completely. Probably more hassle than it's worth. Bear in mind my perspective is a good day out with a bunch of mates.

Oh right didn't realise the Sunday was family day. Sounds about right, with a group of mates it'd probably be a better day.

Can see why it's popular but it's not something I'd be fussed about going to again.

[Ric Flair]

Might be the horriblest shindig i've ever attended, took me 4 hours to get out of the crowds and home. Never again, I vacate London each year it's on. However, the scran that they sell is superb.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

It is great to soak up the atmosphere there, and I am sure you will enjoy yourself. One tip though, hang on to your wallet, and hide it. Don't keep it in your pocker.

Have a great day.

[Daggers]

Abysmal way to spend a day drawing breath.

Save your pennies and go see a proper carnival in Trinidad or Rio. The only thing you'll see here is the back of a crowd of gangstas or gangsta wannabies and maybe the odd glimpse of a really over-dressed fat woman dancing to something shit.

It's barely possible to make out a single tune as the bass from a million PA systems phase over each other.

Food is expensive to the level that taking the family out for a meal at a wank restaurant where you pay £500 for an ironic lettuce leaf suddenly becomes an attractive alternative.

Notting Hill is to carnival as Netto is to exclusive shopping.

[Guest MattP]

Abysmal way to spend a day drawing breath.

Save your pennies and go see a proper carnival in Trinidad or Rio. The only thing you'll see here is the back of a crowd of gangstas or gangsta wannabies and maybe the odd glimpse of a really over-dressed fat woman dancing to something shit.

It's barely possible to make out a single tune as the bass from a million PA systems phase over each other.

Food is expensive to the level that taking the family out for a meal at a wank restaurant where you pay £500 for an ironic lettuce leaf suddenly becomes an attractive alternative.

Notting Hill is to carnival as Netto is to exclusive shopping.

Daggers nails it again.

Went about 5 years ago, stayed about an hour before heading off, just an awful place to be.

[James.]

Haha. Only just seen the latest posts. Looks like Notting Hill is a bit like marmite, or, err, something that everyone hates apart from me.

I don't really bother with the actual procession, it's all about the good stages that are tucked away in corners of the overall area. Good Times stage being the best example. All the best parts of Notting Hill, all for free. As for the food, decent bit of jerk chicken with rice and peas will set you back about 6 or 7 quid. Yes, it's expensive but it's pretty much in line with any other UK festival/event.

Anyway, will be interested to hear how you get on ozleicester. Funnily enough I'm now not bothering this year, have a good one though.

[nisaafea]

Hi Guys!

 

If you attended the Notting Hill Carnival, Please can you do me a HUGE favour and fill the 2 minute questionnaire out? It is to do with my University project and I really would appreciate your help

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MXKF6LB

 

 

Thank you!!!

 

Nisaa