Bank Holiday Monday - Notting Hill Carnival

The latter - millions of people and craziness. It’s an absolutely massive event. Some love it; some would find it hell on Earth. Each year it’s a huge event for police, too.

Google for news stories and images about it, and see what you think.

Expect lots of crime, drugs, violence and stabbings. It's an absolute nightmare for the residents and the police and I'm amazed that it's still allowed to take place. I would avoid at all costs, fun it is not.

Agree with JC, my friends daughter is in the Met Police and she dreads it coming around every year.

"I'm amazed that it's still allowed to take place." Well if they stopped it the cries of "racism" from the lefty do-gooder brigade would be heard as far as the Orkneys.

Thanks everyone.... after the first reply I also googled some news reports. Think we’ll find something else to do on our first day!

When the Notting Hill Carnival is on I do not go into London. But I live here and can choose my days.

There is plenty of London which is not where the craziness is but some tube and bus lines in other areas will be affected.

"I'm amazed that it's still allowed to take place." Well if they stopped it the cries of "racism" from the lefty do-gooder brigade would be heard as far as the Orkneys

I was trying to be non political! ; )

Maybe that will be a good day to do a day trip out of London.... any thoughts on this on a Bank Holiday?

Hey Emma, thank you so much for that tip re the trains! Much appreciated! Excellent to know!!

"I'm not sure banning/canceling the carnival would be interpreted as "fascism" but some would certainly see it as racism."

Who mentioned "fascism"?? I mentioned racism........But isn't everything racist these days, reminds me of the story of the boy who cried wolf.

Maybe that will be a good day to do a day trip out of London.... any
thoughts on this on a Bank Holiday?

Although the carnival is massive, London is also massive - and you really won’t be aware of the carnival in central London. So unless you happen to be staying in the Notting Hill area or go to west London, you will probably only see it on the TV news.

"policing costs aren't that different for the frightfully white and middle class Glastonbury festival"

But Glastonbury pays towards its policing costs. Something of a contrast to NHC which last year left around 30 officers injured.

I agree with Emma - a lot of British people on this thread are being very alarmist and displaying a quite shocking level of bigotry.

I'm certainly not alarmist nor bigoted.

I deal with public transport professionally and I know what I see every year, and how things have changed.

I don't care if people are blue, green or transparent. What I do care about is the level of drug crime, knife and sharps crime, gun crime and gang violence that gets worse from year to year. The number of injured and killed at the event bother me.

So, as I said, I don't go anywhere close.

I had certainly been scared away! This Aussie will find a castle to visit on Bank Holiday!

I agree with Emma - a lot of British people on this thread are being very alarmist and displaying a quite shocking level of bigotry.

I take it you've never policed it?

It has been suggested that the crime figures and policing costs aren't that different for the frightfully white and middle class Glastonbury festival,when attendee figures are taken into account, but no one is suggesting cancelling that?!

The majority of the arrests at Glastonbury involve drug possession and theft and a very low proportion of violent crime. Compare that to Notting Hill where the levels of violent crime are significantly higher. I don't recall high levels of police officer assaults or even stabbings at Glastonbury or incidents of indiscriminate acid throwing as witnessed at Notting Hill recently. What's worse is when highlighting such abhorrent behaviour is considered racist or bigoted simply because of the primary demographic of the attendees.

Lol Emma I might stay at the hotel haha!!

I had certainly been scared away! This Aussie will find a castle to
visit on Bank Holiday!

At risk of repeating myself, there is no need to be scared away from the central London tourist area.

Personally I wouldn’t choose Bank Holiday Monday to take a trip out of town because of crowds at popular places.

Just have a lovely low-key day in central London, have a nice walk, see lots of interesting things and do whatever takes your fancy without fear of the carnival, which is happening a few miles away.

Incidentally there is a fine castle in central London - the Tower of London - but I wouldn’t choose it on the first day as it needs time and concentration.

Also this?

very alarmist

The key point is that the OP is looking for a low-key fun activity to do on the day after a long flight. Whatever your views on the Notting Hill Carnival I don’t think it’s alarmist to suggest it’s not a relaxing place to be for a family with jet lag on their first day in London.

Cathy, if the weather’s nice, I’d suggest a walk along the South Bank of the Thames from the London Eye towards Tower Bridge. You’ll be outside, there’ll be manageable crowds, lots of street entertainment, cafés and restaurants, you’ll see some wonderful sights such as Parliament, St Paul’s and the Tower of London from the outside, you’ll get your bearings and if energy flags you can hop on a Thames Clipper or a tour boat.

Thank you- I love that walk along the Thames. We might do that or join one of the London Walks.