Notting Hill Carnival

The Georgian House Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning to come to London for the unmissable Notting Hill Carnival. The hotel is located in a quiet safe area close to Victoria Station and just a short bus or tube journey from the Carnival.  Buses return to Victoria throughout the night, and the hotel reception is open 24 hours, so you can party as late as you like!

Notting Hill Carnival roots came from Trinidad, where the first Caribbean carnival was held in 1833. Before this date, black slaves had been forbidden by law to take part in their master's European Easter carnivals, or even to gather on the streets after nightfall. When these laws were repealed in 1833 and freedom from slavery was announced, black Caribbeans took to the streets for their own carnival party, with song, dance and costumes that reflected both their own cultures and satirised their ex-masters.

When the first significant numbers of West Indian immigrants began to come to the UK in the 1950s, they brought with them their musical traditions and in 1964 a group of mostly Trinidadian immigrants decided to throw an impromptu carnival procession through the streets of their Notting Hill neighbourhood.

Less than a hundred people were present, but although small in scale, the first ever Notting Hill Carnival was an important moment in the history of Black Britons and Londoners.

The first Notting Hill Carnival was both a social protest and a cultural celebration. But as other West Indian immigrants and white locals joined the festivities year on year, the Notting Hill Carnival grew to the epic proportions it is now famed for attracting over half a million revellers in 2003. Now Notting Hill Carnival truly caters to diverse musical tastes and welcomes people from all over the world.

Notting Hill Carnival - Today

Notting Hill Carnival is nowplanned and organised by Notting Hill Carnival Trust. The mission of the Trust is to support, develop and propagate the carnival arts. Notting Hill Carnival is not just two days of revelry on the August Bank Holiday weekend but encompasses a range of events over a six-week period.

Today the Notting Hill Carnival welcomes all tourists and other visitors, with its motto of "Every Spectator is a Participant - Carnival is for all who dare to Participate!". For more information visit www.nottinghillcarnival.org.uk or www.londoncarnival.co.uk

Georgian House Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book Georgian House Hotel when you plan your trip to London to participate in the Notting Hill Carnival? You can book online or email to make a reservation on reception@georgianhousehotel.co.uk, or telephone on 00 44 (0)207 834 1438.

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