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 theatre’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 centre 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

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$178 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$178
26 Oct - 27 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! (3,329 reviews)
"A really wonderful stay for one night after travelling. We were travel weary and the beds were comfortable. The bathroom was a little old fashioned and the bath took a long while to run, however the shower was powerful and hot which was excellent. Toiletries were very good; showers cap, soap, shampoo, ..."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Copthorne Tara Hotel London 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 AU$402 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$402
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! (929 reviews)
"clean room"

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

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

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

4 out of 5
140 Gloucester Road, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$344 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$344
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! (2,165 reviews)
"I was impressed by the amount of space compared to other LON hotels. Check-in and check-out with Sumina was very pleasant. I also enjoyed the modern bathroom."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
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$498 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$498
26 Oct - 27 Oct
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! (1,818 reviews)
"Adjacent to Kensington Gardens and a nice walk to local points of interest, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London eye, good shopping, etc it would be a lot of walking for younger kids though."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$317 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$317
26 Oct - 27 Oct
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! (1,021 reviews)
"The staff errr helpful and friendly. Great breakfast and a nice bar."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington
Garden View Hotel

Garden View Hotel

3 out of 5
29-31 Nevern Square, London, England
The price is AU$91 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$91
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,240 reviews)
"Absolutely a brilliant"

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Garden View Hotel
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

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

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
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
Default Image

Marylebone

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Marylebone is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Oxford Street and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Baker Street Station or Marylebone Underground Station.

Marylebone


Kensington Travel Guide

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