What station should I go to for Notting Hill Carnival?

For the 2026 Notting Hill Carnival, the best stations to use are Paddington (Elizabeth line/National Rail) for a direct walk, or Bayswater and Queensway to avoid the most congested, exit-only stations directly in the zone. Avoid Ladbroke Grove (closed) and expect exit-only restrictions at Notting Hill Gate/Westbourne Park.

Which station is best for Notting Hill Carnival?

The nearest Tube stations to Notting Hill Carnival are Bayswater, High Street Kensington, Paddington, Queen's Park and Shepherd's Bush, but some are exit-only across the weekend. Check the Transport for London website before you travel for the latest Notting Hill Carnival transport information.

What is the best tube station for Notting Hill?

Notting Hill Gate Underground Station.

What is the route for Notting Hill Carnival?

Sunday is the day of the children's parade and the adult's parade takes place on Monday. Both parades follow the same route, starting at Westbourne Park station on Great Western Road, before travelling along Westbourne Park Road and Chepstow Road.

What station to get off at for Carnival?

🎊 If you're going, consider travelling to Paddington Station on the Elizabeth line and following the signed walking route straight to Carnival.

Notting Hill Carnival | First-Timer's Guide + Tips

What stations to avoid during Notting Hill Carnival?

The event area spans across the W10 postcode from North Kensington to Stanley Crescent, and from Westbourne Green to Ladbroke Grove. Therefore, unless you was an extremely packed train, it would be best to avoid Ladbroke Grove station. The same goes for Westbourne Park.

What time does carnival start in Notting Hill?

Every year Notting Hill Carnival takes place on the Sunday and Monday of the August Bank Holiday weekend with Panorama always preceding it on the Saturday evening. The Carnival parade starts on Sunday and Monday at 10.30am. For more timings please check here.

How do I get to Notting Hill Carnival by train?

Travelling by train means you'll get there without hassle. Vauxhall is our closest station to Notting Hill Carnival. From there, take the Victoria line northbound and get off at Victoria. Once at Victoria, you can get a direct tube to Bayswater, High Street Kensington, Paddington, Queen's Park or Shepherd's Bush.

What is the best way for people to travel to the Notting Hill Carnival?

Tube. The Central line towards Notting Hill will get very, very busy as thousands head to the carnival. To avoid that, TfL says that the best option is to get the tube or Elizabeth line to Paddington then walk around 20 minutes to Notting Hill from there.

What is the best day to go to Notting Hill Carnival?

Sunday is Family Day at Carnival, and is the best day to visit Notting Hill with children.

Which tube stop is Notting Hill?

Notting Hill Gate Underground Station.

How to stay safe at Notting Hill Carnival?

Wear practical clothing to suit the weather (practical comfortable shoes are essential!) If you are coming with children or people that would require help if you become separated from them, take a photo of them as you leave so that you can show stewards and police what they look like if they were to get lost.

What is the closest tube stop to Notting Hill?

Notting Hill Gate is the main Tube station in the area, and it's served by the Central line, the District line and the Circle line. Alternatively, use Westbourne Park station or Ladbroke Grove station on the Hammersmith and City line and Circle line and then walk along Portobello Road towards Notting Hill Gate.

How strict is the Carnival dress code?

Gentlemen: elegant dress pants, shirts, sports jackets as well as suits, ties and tuxedos. Ladies: cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts, blouses and evening gowns. Please no shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, bathing clothes, jeans, cut-off jeans, sportswear and baseball caps.

Which tube is best for Notting Hill?

Notting Hill is incredibly well connected to the rest of London via tube as there are three tube stations in the vicinity. The most central tube station is Notting Hill Gate which is on the Circle, District and Central lines.

How many stabbings happen at Notting Hill Carnival?

Last year, eight people were stabbed, leaving one person dead. Another person was killed in a separate attack. Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said the use of live facial recognition, metal detectors and stop-and-search had "prevented some of the serious violence we have seen at previous carnivals".

Do you need cash for Notting Hill Carnival?

CARRY SOME CASH

While Notting Hill Carnival entry is free, make sure you carry some money. Cashpoints will be pretty busy around the area so get some cash out before you start making your way there. Some food and drink stalls may not accept card payments, and you don't wanna miss out on some of the best grub.

Is Ladbroke Grove station closed today?

No disruptions

There are no reported disruptions at any .

How much time do you need at Notting Hill?

For those who want more than just a quick glimpse, consider dedicating half a day—or about four hours—to truly soak in everything Notting Hill has to offer.

Is it cheaper to tap card or oyster?

No, an Oyster card is generally not cheaper than tapping with contactless (bank card or phone), as they both use the same "pay as you go" (PAYG) system and have identical fare caps and discounts, making them the same price for most journeys. Contactless is often more convenient as it avoids the £5 Oyster card cost and the hassle of topping up, but Oyster can prevent foreign transaction fees if using a foreign bank card.

What station is closest to Peak District?

Getting here by train

You can catch: The Hope Valley Line between Manchester and Sheffield (Northern Railway) gives direct access to spectacular Peak District scenery, with stations at Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale.

How to get to the New Forest without a car?

You could arrive by train or ferry, hop on one of the three open-top New Forest Tours, which are available from June until September.

What's the best day to go to Notting Hill Carnival?

Sunday 24 August 2025 - from 10am

Sunday is family day at Carnival, so it's calmer than Monday — but it still gets very busy.

What celebrities live in Notting Hill?

Celebrity connections: Stella McCartney, Robbie Williams and Damon Albarn have all called Notting Hill home. Pop-culture symbols: Notting Hill has featured in iconic films and fiction, from its namesake Hollywood feature to Paddington Bear.

What should I wear to Notting Hill Carnival?

Here are some of the top tips for what to wear at Notting Hill Carnival 2025.

• Wear something comfortable.
• Make sure your outfit is easy to change out of.
• Be colourful — but don't appropriate.
• Bring a bag that can fit drinks, cash, and a portable charger.
• Wear comfortable shoes!