Europe’s biggest street festival WILL return this Bank Holiday. Thanks to an eleventh-hour deal that was finally struck last month, a near £960,000 funding gap has been plugged. This year’s Notting Hill Carnival now promises to be bigger and safer than ever. If your finances are also a bit tight, help is at hand for carnival-goers seeking affordable accommodation. Booking a university room could be the answer, says a leading expert.
Earlier this year, it looked as though 2025’s Notting Hill Carnival might not happen. Although it brings in an estimated £400 million to London’s economy, a serious funding shortfall of around £958,000 looked set to silence its famous steel drums and ‘Mas’ bands.
Thankfully, a last-minute deal was struck with City Hall, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and the City of Westminster. The funding will be used for extra recommended safety and infrastructure measures. That means Europe’s largest street event is back on this August Bank Holiday weekend (23-25 August).
Carnival organisers and festival-goers have breathed a sigh of relief that the show is back on the streets – and it promises to be quite an event. Johanna Jernberg, a travel expert from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.com, says: ‘This year, the Notting Hill Carnival kicks off on Saturday 23 August with the Panorama Steelpan competition. Pan fans will be flocking to Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park to listen to the (ticket-only) event.
‘On Sunday 24 August, there’s a Children’s Day Parade and a down-and-“dutty” fun Mas (Masquerade parade). But, be warned, as a spectator you can expect to be splashed with brightly coloured paints and powder!
‘The main Parade takes place on Monday 25 August, getting underway from 10.30am. It’s a huge, free, street celebration celebrating the culture of the local Caribbean community. In the entire world, only Rio’s carnival is bigger.
‘The Carnival first danced its way onto London’s streets in 1966 and has since become a family favourite, particularly on the slightly quieter Sunday. People of all ages now flock to see the great costumes, hear the music and enjoy sizzling street food such as jerk chicken.
‘Notting Hill Carnival mainly takes place in Notting Hill, W11, of course, but also parties into a wide area, including neighbouring Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, Westbourne Grove and Bayswater.
‘In recent years, local property values in all these areas have soared. That means finding accommodation for the Carnival is more difficult and more expensive. The local boutique hotels may be chic but they are pricey. Finding an available hotel, let or bed & breakfast for the Carnival dates is also challenging.
‘Fortunately, there is an increasingly popular alternative that is perfectly timed for the Notting Hill Carnival. Many university rooms traditionally stand empty during August as students head home for the summer. Using the revolutionary service UniversityRooms.com, visitors can choose from nearby university single, twin or double ensuite rooms, on a B&B or self-catering basis. Best of all, you can stay in them even if you are not a student.
‘Finding student accommodation specifically in Notting Hill can be challenging. However, there are several nearby areas with good transport links to Notting Hill and suitable student accommodation options.
‘For people on a tight budget, Ifor Evans Hall near Camden Town tube is just 3.9 miles away. Rooms costs from just £52 a night during the festival period, which is quite a bargain for London. Self-catering accommodation is also available.
‘University College London’s (UCL) Gower Street Houses, consisting of Arthur Tattersall House and John Tovell House in Fitzrovia, are a little pricier. They are located just 3.8 miles from Notting Hill and single bedrooms with shared facilities are available from just £65 a night during the Carnival period.
‘Finally, Goldsmid House is situated in the heart of London, close to Victoria Station. It’s just 3.9 miles from Notting Hill, via Bayswater Road. It’s only a short walk away from Buckingham Palace. Goldsmid House provides good-value accommodation, with single ensuite rooms available from just £84 a night during the Carnival weekend.
‘It doesn’t take an educated guess to realise that university accommodation is likely to get fully booked as awareness of this relatively inexpensive accommodation for the Notting Hill Carnival grows. For more information and to book your stay now, see https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/london/home/
