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$625 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
NZ$625
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,790 reviews)
Excellent hotel, great location

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2025

Royal Garden Hotel
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$360 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
NZ$360
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Location is excellent. Near museums and restaurants. Rooms clean but seem a bit dated. Bathroom clean but tired looking. Hotel workers very nice and polite

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South 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$415 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
NZ$415
30 Nov - 1 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,220 reviews)
location was great and rooms were quiet and well cleaned

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2025

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
Miiro Templeton Garden

Miiro Templeton Garden

4 out of 5
1-15 Templeton Place London England
The price is NZ$433 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$433
1 Dec - 2 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (269 reviews)
My favourite hotel in London. The staff are so helpful and friendly. Love it here!

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Miiro Templeton Garden
Holiday Inn London - Kensington High St. by IHG

Holiday Inn London - Kensington High St. by IHG

4 out of 5
Wrights Lane London England
The price is NZ$237 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
NZ$237
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,660 reviews)
Lovely birthday cake plate provided and wine - so sweet of the team.

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2025

Holiday Inn London - Kensington High St. by IHG
The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place London England
The price is NZ$495 per night from 16 Dec to 17 Dec
NZ$495
16 Dec - 17 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,144 reviews)
4.5. Locale. Staff. Food. Cleanliness. This was my second time staying at this hotel. Very centrally located in Kensington. Within walking distance of places I like to visit. Great for walking to area restaurants and shopping. I like visiting the V&A museum, daily. Safe area. I have walked about ...

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

The Rembrandt
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 Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert 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 Design Museum 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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: