Nothing brill in Notting Hill? Relief for festival-goers finding Carnival accommodation

Aug. 1, 2024 - PRLog -- In the 1999 movie Notting Hill, Hugh Grant's character, William, memorably said to Julia Roberts: 'I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are, my mother has trouble remembering my name'. Today, William might no longer live in Notting Hill.

That's because it has become an increasingly expensive place to live, thanks in part to the increasing popularity of the spectacular annual Carnival. This means most festival-goers no longer live locally and many will be looking for accommodation in the area at the end of August, when the Carnival takes place.

Lily Smith, a travel expert from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.com, says: 'This year, the Notting Hill Carnival kicks off on Sunday 25 August with colourful events and stands. The main Parade takes place on Monday 26 August, getting underway at midday. 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 and every year lots more people flock to experience the sights, sounds and delicious smells of Notting Hill's famous street parade and stalls.

'Notting Hill Carnival mainly takes place in Notting Hill, of course, but also parties into a wide area. There's no denying hotel accommodation in these areas of west London can be far from cheap. Finding an available hotel, let or B&B for the Carnival dates is also challenging.

'Fortunately, there is a handy and often inexpensive solution. Using the revolutionary service UniversityRooms.com, visitors can choose from nearby university single, twin or double ensuite rooms, on a bed & breakfast or self-catering basis. Best of all, you can stay in them even if you are not a student.

'Price Consort Village, in nearby Goldhawk Road, offers contemporary and comfortable rooms for £112 a night during the Carnival. It's a lot more upmarket than typical student accommodation, complete with acoustically treated rooms, a cinema, courtyard and even a gym. It's just 1.4 miles away from the centre of Notting Hill and 8 minutes from the Tube.

'For people on a tighter budget, Ifor Evans Hall is just 3.9 miles away and is near Camden Town Tube. Rooms costs from just £49 a night during the festival period, which is quite a bargain for London. With prices this low, why not arrive a day earlier and watch Saturday's wonderful Panorama Steel Band Competition as well?

'It doesn't take an educated guess to realise that university accommodation is likely to get fully booked as awareness of this relatively inexpensive alternative grows. For more information and to book your stay now, see https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/london/home/