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 neighborhoods. 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 theater 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 splendor 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

The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place, Kensington, London, England
The price is AU$382 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$382
per night
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (2,042 reviews)
"Lovely hotel, great room, lovely breakfast, central location. Fantastic for Hyde Park / Chelsea / Knightsbridge"

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

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

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

5 out of 5
100 Queens Gate, South Kensington, London, England
The price is AU$351 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$351
per night
20 July - 21 July
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (886 reviews)
"Fantastic staff in a great location!"

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London, 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
The price is AU$367 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
AU$367
per night
4 Aug - 5 Aug
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! (2,046 reviews)
"Easy to the train and many food options within walking distance."

Reviewed on 17 Jul. 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$531 per night from 27 July to 28 July
AU$531
per night
27 July - 28 July
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. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,783 reviews)
"Next to Hyde Park, Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace, easily walkable to Harrods. Spotless, great staff, bus stop outside, big comfy bed. Ticked my boxes"

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 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 AU$190 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$190
per night
10 Aug - 11 Aug
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! (3,340 reviews)
Fine but no better
"It was fine. Which is perhaps not the level to aspire to. But, the room was well priced and the location is great. On the downside the “double” bed was TINY. And the ventilation was ancient so it was a hot night even with it cranked to the max. It’s quite a dated hotel."

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
Park International Hotel

Park International Hotel

4 out of 5
117 - 129 Cromwell Road, London, England
The price is AU$251 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$251
per night
17 Aug - 18 Aug
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,110 reviews)
Good location and has air conditioning!
"Good area, close to Gloucester station, Waitrose and Boots. Walkable to Science and V&A Museums. The staff was lovely. The room was compact and furnishings a bit tired, but the air conditioner was amazing! Their bar is huge- stopped in there for a drink before bed one night. Only me and one other ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul. 2025

Park International 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 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 Queensway 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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