Kensington Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kensington Gardens showing a garden
Albert Memorial featuring heritage architecture
Albert Memorial featuring a garden, autumn colours and heritage architecture
Albert Memorial which includes a park
Royal Albert Hall featuring heritage architecture and a city

Relax in the stunning park with a view of the palace, explore the upscale high street and visit the galleries and museums of this affluent neighbourhood.

Kensington is a prosperous part of London, known for its stylish terraced housing and the European landscape allotments that make up the vast Kensington Gardens. The district is also full of upmarket shopping options, swanky hotels and museums. Spend time in the galleries and music halls in this hub of refinement.

Stroll down the busy Kensington High Street to see the range of shops defining this area of luxury and aristocracy. Enter the Kensington Arcade through its stucco arches and window-shop along the elegant storefronts. Lay down a blanket in Kensington Gardens with a scenic backdrop of its lake and the majestic Kensington Palace.

Visit the iconic Thackeray Gallery for its array of works by living British artists. It is an active trading site that works with set prices. Browse the pieces displayed at The Mosaic Rooms, which has a focus on contemporary exhibits from the Arab world.

Another fascinating cultural institution of Kensington is the RCM Museum of Musical Instruments. Browse the intriguing collection of about 1,000 instruments from the 15th century through the mid 1900s. These include a 16th-century guitar, a 15th-century keyboard and a 16th-century harpsichord.

Head south to the Finborough Theatre, for its range of plays and musical performances. Admire the intriguing appearance of the theater’s building, which sits on a traffic island. The green lower part of the three-story redbrick building makes it stand out.

Walk south for 30 minutes from the center of Kensington to reach the Brompton Cemetery. Explore this picturesque and serene site, flanked by trees, family mausoleums and historic monuments.

Kensington is located in the Royal Borough of Chelsea and Kensington in the western part of London. Take the London Underground to one of the stops here, such as South Kensington, Gloucester Road and Kensington (Olympia). Get around by bus and explore the high street on foot. Nearby districts include Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Kensington Hotel Deals

The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place, Kensington, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$371 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$371
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 24-hour room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,034 reviews)
"Lovely hotel"

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

The Rembrandt
Royal Garden Hotel

Royal Garden Hotel

5 out of 5
2-24 Kensington High Street, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$544 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$544
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (1,796 reviews)
"Situated in a lovely part of Kensington ideal for nice restaurants and shops"

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Royal Garden Hotel
Brit Hotels Earls Court

Brit Hotels Earls Court

2 out of 5
43-45 Longridge Road, London, England
The price is AU$148 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
AU$148
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Kensington High Street and Hyde Park are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (169 reviews)
"Lovely new hotel in a great neighbourhood!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

Brit Hotels Earls Court
Point A Kensington Olympia

Point A Kensington Olympia

3.5 out of 5
42-48 West Cromwell Road, London, England
The price is AU$166 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$166
10 Aug - 11 Aug
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! (1,539 reviews)
"The hotel is in good condition and very clean. I felt the lobby to be cozy and inviting. The room and bathroom were on the small side but clean, modern and nicely decorated. The beds and pillows were the most comfortable ones among the 3 hotels we stayed in during our recent trip to Europe. The staff ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Point A Kensington Olympia
The Exhibitionist Hotel

The Exhibitionist Hotel

5 out of 5
8-10 Queensberry Place, South Kensington, London, England
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Excellent artwork"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

The Exhibitionist Hotel
Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington

4 out of 5
Scarsdale Place, Kensington, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$200 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$200
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (3,323 reviews)
"Yes"

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2025

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
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 Kensington

Notting Hill as well as a large group of people

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is highly notable for its beautiful gardens, and you might want to visit top sights like Portobello Road Market and Westbourne Grove. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Holland Park Underground Station or Ladbroke Grove Underground Station.

Notting Hill
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
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
Chelsea featuring heritage architecture

Chelsea

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
Mayfair

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Bond Street.

Mayfair
West End showing a city, heritage architecture and night scenes

West End

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in West End. Hop around the city on the metro at Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station or Oxford Circus Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

West End


Kensington Travel Guide

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