| One of the best ways to spend a break to one of the | | | | along the festival's 20 mile stretch. |
| many cheap hostels in London is a visit to the Notting | | | | Many choose to dress in traditional clothing for the |
| Hill Carnival, which is the biggest street party in the | | | | main parade of the carnival, which is usually held on |
| whole of Europe. | | | | the bank holiday Monday. If you fancy checking out |
| With visitor numbers to the event sometimes topping | | | | another culture-tinged event, then you may want to |
| one million, you might be wise to look into booking a | | | | head to the traditional steel band contest, which is held |
| hostel now, to avoid being stuck for somewhere to | | | | on the Saturday of the festival. |
| stay nearer the time. | | | | As well as the steel band music and upbeat tempo of |
| The Notting Hill Carnival has been held every year | | | | the carnival itself, you could also catch a performance |
| since 1966, usually on the bank holiday weekend in | | | | by a famous face. Stars including Eddie Grant and |
| August. The 2010 event is due to take place on the | | | | Jamiroquai have taken to the West London streets |
| weekend of August 29th and is set to be one of the | | | | over the years and this year's event could see you |
| biggest and the best yet. | | | | enjoy a gig by a well-known singer in an interesting |
| The carnival started life as a festival for West Indians | | | | setting. |
| living in Notting Hill and you can certainly pick up on the | | | | Music certainly is the order of the day at the Notting Hill |
| roots of the festival as you wander around the | | | | Carnival, with tunes from than 40 sound systems |
| hundreds of stalls and enjoy the smells of food | | | | channelling tunes to revellers. |
| including rice and peas and jerk chicken. | | | | The carnival also hosts a special Kid's Day, which |
| As well as these delicious dishes you can sample | | | | could appeal to those going on a break in London with |
| some really interesting fare, including curried goat, | | | | youngsters in tow. |
| which is available from many of the food stalls dotted | | | | |