Notting Hill (from early version of the Patent Rolls of 1356 as Knottynghull and/or from a manor in Kensington called “Knotting-Bernes,”, “Knutting-Barnes,” or “Nutting-barns”) is a cosmopolitan district in West London, England close to the north-western corner of Hyde Park, and lying within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is known as the location hosting the annual Notting Hill Carnival.
This is a world-famous carnival. Although there are many interesting activities happening and that happened in Notting Hill (one is being the filming location of the movie “Notting Hill”, starred by Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, another is for being home to the Portobello Road Market.), it is just so interesting to talk about the Carnival because it is the largest street festival in Europe.
Started in 1965, it has attracted up to 1.5 million people in the past. In 1976, it attracted press attention for clashing with the police, which continued for several years. More recently however Carnival has been seen as a peaceful event, and attracts press attention for the attendance figures. Recently, American Rappers and Pop Singers are having special performances in this grand event. Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Li’l Kim, Montell Jordan, Top Cats are just to name a few.
Notting Hill’s geographic setting is bordered by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s electoral wards of Colville, Norland and Pembridge. It has Oxford Gardens as its boundary in the North, Pembridge Villas and Ladbroke Grove in the west, Holland Park Avenue/Notting Hill Gate in the south, and Ledbury Road and Great Western Road in the East. It has three tube stations: Westbourne Grove; Ladbroke Grove; Notting Hill Gate. Ladbroke Grove tube station was called Notting Hill when it opened... Read More