Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kensington Roof Gardens featuring a park
Kensington Palace featuring heritage architecture and a castle as well as an individual female
Kensington Palace showing a castle and a garden
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington Palace featuring a castle, a garden and a pond

From royal parks and themed gardens to free museums, luxury shopping streets and professional soccer, this central borough is packed with popular attractions.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is among the most luxurious of the 32 districts of Greater London. Visit superb galleries and museums, which occupy majestic landmarks in the district’s affluent neighbourhoods. Shop for high-end fashion and enjoy London’s renowned park life when you visit the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Start with a stroll down Kensington High Street, a busy avenue lined with brandname stores and upmarket boutiques. Browse interesting art exhibitions at the Thackeray Gallery and The Mosaic Rooms. Kensington Gardens is one of the Royal Parks and boasts lush lawns, Kensington Palace and the Serpentine Gallery. Pathways connect the garden to Hyde Park, a popular spot for boating, picnics and live music.

In South Kensington you’ll find some of London’s finest free museums. Learn about dinosaurs, the animal kingdom and natural phenomena at the Natural History Museum. Play with interactive exhibits at the Science Museum and admire displays of art and design at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Royal Albert Hall is one of England’s most prestigious concert halls.

Chelsea exudes style and elegance and its King’s Road buzzes with design stores, fashion outlets and galleries. Appreciate contemporary art at the Saatchi Gallery and retrace military history at the National Army Museum. Attend the Chelsea Flower Show at Ranelagh Gardens and peruse botanical displays at Chelsea Physic Garden.

Join the fans of Chelsea Football Club for an English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge stadium. Adjacent to here is Brompton Cemetery, one of London’s Victorian-era Magnificent Seven cemeteries.

The grassy lawns, woodland and sports facilities of Holland Park present opportunities for relaxation and recreation. See a slice of Japan at the Kyoto Garden and enjoy open-air theatre at Opera Holland Park. The Design Museum celebrates modern design and Leighton House Museum has 70-plus oil paintings by Lord Leighton.

Overground trains and the Circle, District and Piccadilly underground lines travel through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Get a feel for the district’s splendour by walking between attractions via its graceful streets.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Hotel Deals

Royal Garden Hotel

Royal Garden Hotel

5 out of 5
2-24 Kensington High Street, London, England
The price is NZ$585 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$585
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,835 reviews)
"Great location and large room"

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

Royal Garden Hotel
Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington

4 out of 5
Scarsdale Place, Kensington, London, England
The price is NZ$200 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$200
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,297 reviews)
"Very pleasant clean also very busy with air crews nice breakfast Check in staff very good"

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

4 out of 5
140 Gloucester Road, London, England
The price is NZ$387 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
NZ$387
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,136 reviews)
"Lovely hotel in a great neighborhood. Excellent service."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
Point A Kensington Olympia

Point A Kensington Olympia

3.5 out of 5
42-48 West Cromwell Road, London, England
The price is NZ$185 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$185
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,589 reviews)
"Very efficient and pleasant staff member on reception. Room was nice but can't you just get normal light switches or dimmers?"

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Point A Kensington Olympia
Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington

4 out of 5
68-86 Cromwell Road, London, England
The price is NZ$364 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$364
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Front desk staff was extremely helpful."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington
100 Queen's Gate Hotel London Kensington, Curio Collection by Hilton

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London Kensington, Curio Collection by Hilton

5 out of 5
100 Queens Gate, South Kensington, London, England
The price is NZ$452 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$452
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (926 reviews)
"I took my mum to London for 3 days. I live in Canada and have not been to London for a number of years. The hotel was one of the options I could get booking from Canada, and was the most expensive option of the few I shirt listed. I was so happy we picked this hotel! The staff were AMAZING. They ..."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London Kensington, Curio Collection by Hilton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Chelsea featuring heritage architecture

Chelsea

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

Museums, theatres and shopping are just a few things travellers like about Chelsea. Sights like Royal Hospital Chelsea and Saatchi Gallery are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater London area at Sloane Square Underground Station.

Chelsea
London Natural History Museum featuring heritage elements, interior views and heritage architecture

South Kensington

Known for its fascinating museums and charming cafes, there's plenty to explore in South Kensington. Check out top attractions like Kensington High Street and Natural History Museum, and jump on the metro at South Kensington Underground Station or Gloucester Road Underground Station to see more of the city.

South Kensington
Kensington Gardens showing a garden

Kensington

4.5/5(365 area reviews)

Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street are a few top attractions in Kensington. Hop around the city on the metro at High Street Kensington Station or Notting Hill Gate Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, beautiful gardens and charming cafes.

Kensington
Admiralty Arch which includes heritage architecture

City of Westminster

4.5/5(470 area reviews)

Big Ben and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in City of Westminster. Hop around the city on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station or Victoria Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

City of Westminster
Victoria showing a city and heritage architecture

Westminster

While you're in Westminster, take in top sights like Big Ben and jump on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station to see more of the city.

Westminster
Paddington featuring a city and a square or plaza

Paddington

Paddington Central and The Grosvenor Victoria Casino London are top sights in Paddington, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Paddington Underground Station or Edgware Road (Bakerloo) Underground Station to see more sights in the area.

Paddington


Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Travel Guide

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