About the area
Home to some of the world's best museums and some quite lovely residential areas. With neighbouring Earls Court, Kensington offers an excellent choice of hotels in the budget and mid-range brackets. Nearby is fashionable Chelsea, with its popular shopping areas.
Nearest major attractions to Kensington
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace State Apartments, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX
The royal residence here was redesigned by Christopher Wren for William and Mary in 1689. The State Apartments and the Court Dress Collection are open to the public, along with the sunken gardens. See the room where Queen Victoria was born, and paintings and furniture from the royal collection. Website
Tube: Queensway, Bayswater, High Street Kensington
Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens was once part of Hyde Park, until William IV enclosed it to become the gardens for Kensington Palace to the west. The Gardens are more orderly and formal than Hyde Park, with a sunken garden and a rectangular pond by the palace. By Long Water is a statue of Peter Pan, whose author, JM Barrie, donated the children's swings nearby.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 2RL
Museum of the decorative arts, including furniture, jewellery, carpets, sculpture, reliquaries, prints, Dress Collection, and more. Free guided tours. One of the world's great museums. Website
Tube: South Kensington
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DO
Wow! Engineering, technology, industry, children's gallery, working models, rail transport, astronomy, and much, much, more. This is fun! Hands-on exhibits teach the fundamentals of science without appearing to teach.Website
Tube: South Kensington
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, South Kensington SW7 5BD
Originally part of the British Museum, the collection grew so large it req uired a separate identity. Dinosaur skeletons, fossils, human biology, Britain's major habitats examined, and the ever-popular Creepy Crawlies exhibit. Website.
Tube: South Kensington
Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
A popular venue for headline performers. Typical events include ballet, concerts, opera, and top pop or rock music performers. Website
Tube: South Kensington, High Street Kensington
Olympia Exhibition Hall
Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX
See Earls Court Exhibition, below.
Website
Tube: Kensington Olympia
Earls Court Exhibition
Earls Court, Warwick Road, SW5 9TA
With the Olympia, a major exhibition venue, home of the Ideal Home Show, London Boat Show, and the like. Frequently hosts trade events as well. Website
Tube: Earls Court Station, West Brompton Station
