Intense, frenetic, bombastic, colourful, erotic, claustrophobic, creative and fun, the Notting Hill Carnival is an assault on all of the senses. Even if the sun isn't out, you'll feel like you have been transplanted into a heady fusion of Caribbean exhibitionism and restrained Georgian architecture. Leaving can be difficult given the crush of the crowds and the number of Tube stations that close for the occasion.
