Guide to Notting Hill Carnival 2014

Guide to Notting Hill Carnival 2014

If you are planning to visit next month’s Notting Hill Carnival, this guide will help you to prepare well for this truly amazing event. Let’s start with date and the parade route. On Sunday 24^th of August, the main parade will start at 9 am on Great Western Road, continue along Chepstow Road and Westbourne Grove, then down to Ladbroke Grove. The Carnival will continue on Monday 25^th of August (UK Bank Holiday), starting at 9 am, too.

How to reach Notting Hill

Public transport will be restricted and expect many congested routes. Plan your journey ahead on www.tfl.gov.uk . Useful tip is to arrive either early or later in the afternoon.

Tube: Notting Hill Gate

This station will be exit only between 11 am and 6 pm during both days.

Ladbroke Grove – station will be closed on both days

Royal Oak and Westbourne Park – Exit only between 11 am and 6 pm on both days

Bayswater, Paddington and Queensway will run as usual.

Other stations which could be used: High Street Kensington, Holland Park, Queens Park

Bus: Additional bus services will be running, however there will be no buses entering the Carnival areas on Sunday and Monday. Local night buses also will be diverted to different routes.

Bike: Be aware that Bike-docking stations in Chepstow Villas and Pembridge Road might be removed for Carnival.

Staying safe during Carnival

We have seen few riots and incidents during past years so pay attention to your safety and safety of others. Do not carry expensive items with you and always carry bags with secure zip. Police officers will be on hand in all areas of Carnival, if you see anything suspicious please, seek the help. Carry a bottle of water with you and apply sunscreen when needed.

Children’s Day

Sunday is a family-friendly day with smaller crowds and fun vibe. If you can, carry children in smaller baggies or in baby slings. Ear defenders for small babies might come handy.

Useful tips

It will be easier to use the public transport instead of driving a car. Your day will be more enjoyable in comfortable shoes. Do plan your toilet stops as big queues are very common and carry a hand sanitizer and some tissues.

The Portobello Film Festival

Portobello Film Festival

This Film Festival was created in 1996 in order to provide a platform for new upcoming film-makers and promote movies in different formats. ‘The biggest celebration of independent film in Europe’ is one of the greatest descriptions which it has earned over the years.

Simply said The Portobello Film Festival shows tomorrow’s films today. When the Festival first opened, there was no venue to show the movies in. Unfortunately, The Electric Cinema did not re-open until 2001. As it has always had free entry some film-makers’ works were screened in various venues such as parks, bars and theatres.

The Festival organisers have a strong commitment to screen all films which have been submitted and to provide free entry for everyone.  The festival has managed to expand internationally, showing the work of directors of the future at Cannes, Macau and Venice since 2000. Most of the films are firstly showed at The Portobello Film Festival, followed by Edinburgh and Cannes.

An audience of fans has grown rapidly from just 1000 to over 15,000. The year 2000 was the most memorable event so far when organisers received over 300 brand new independent shorts and features. Screening time has reached an unbelievable 144 hours shown over two weeks. The technical quality of films has increased since 1996 as well as the number of films submitted for viewing. Film makers from all around the world have shown interest and submitted some remarkable pieces of work. For more info visit www.portobellofilmfestival.com .

Dates for this year Portobello Film Festival: 28^thAugust - 14^th September 2014