Notting Hill Carnival, which officially kicks off today (August 27), is one of the major celebrations in London’s calendar. But that means travel through certain parts of the capital will be a challenge.
Loads of road closures are happening nearby, due to the huge parade and street party that will be weaving its way through W10, attracting swathes of revellers.
Whether you’re trying to reach the festivities or are just trying to get from A to B while it’s on, it’s certainly useful to be aware of what’s happening to minimise travel time.
With that in mind, here’s a guide to all of the Notting Hill Carnival road closures, diverted buses and shuttered Tube stations.
Which roads will be closed during Notting Hill Carnival?
In the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, a number of roads will be closed or affected by the carnival.
Road closures for Notting Hill Carnival
In Westminster, the following roads are closed for the carnival from 6am on Sunday, August 28 until 6am on Tuesday, August 30:
Aldridge Road Villas
Alexander Street
Alexandra Mews
Alfred Road
Artesian Road
Bishop’s Bridge Road from Porchester Road to Westbourne Grove
Botts Mews
Bridstow Place
Chepstow Road
Courtnell Street
Durham Terrace
Elgin Avenue, between Harrow Road and Chippenham Road
Fermoy Road
Harrow Road, from Ladbroke Grove to Great Western Road
Hatherley Grove
Hereford Road
Hormead Road
Kildare Gardens
Kildare Terrace
Lancaster Road
Leamington Road Villas
Ledbury Road
Monmouth Place
Monmouth Road
Moorhouse Road
Newton Road
Northumberland Place
Queensway, between Westbourne Grove and Porchester Road (though access will be allowed into Queensway from Bayswater Road, for parking purposes)
Redan Place
Shrewsbury Mews
Shrewsbury Road
St Luke’s Road
St Stephen’s Crescent
St Stephen’s Gardens
St Stephen’s Mews
Sutherland Place
Sutherland Terrace
Talbot Road
Tavistock Crescent
Wellington Close
Westbourne Gardens
Westbourne Grove
Westbourne Grove Terrace
Westbourne Park Road
Westbourne Park Villas
Western Road
Ledbury Road
Woodfield Place
Woodfield Road
Also in Westminster, traffic will also be diverted around the ring routes below, in both directions:
Harrow Road, Porchester Road, Bishops Bridge Road, Inverness Terrace, Bayswater Road, Notting Hill Gate
Holland Park Avenue, Uxbridge Road, Wood Lane, Scrubs Lane, Harrow Road.
You can visit Westminster’s council website for further information on the roads during Notting Hill Carnival.
Which Tube stations have restrictions during Notting Hill Carnival?
As the Carnival is such a popular occasion, nearby Tube stations will be very busy – with some closed early, altogether or facing other types of disruptions to usual service.
Of course, it’s wise to keep an eye on the Transport for London (TfL) website for any status updates this weekend, if you’re planning to use its services to reach Notting Hill Carnival.
Which buses are affected during Notting Hill Carnival?
Last but not least: the buses.
Buses that usually pass through the parade route, obviously, won’t be able to over the weekend.
Notting Hill Carnival’s official website flags that the following buses will be taking different routes than usual – presumably from Sunday, August 28 until early morning on Tuesday, August 30.
There is also a London bus strike happening on Sunday and Monday, impacting buses until 5am Tuesday – which includes a few of the above buses, namely the 18, 70, 94, 148, 220 and N18.