A Guide To Kensington London

Kensington is undoubtedly one of London’s most handsome neighbourhoods, complete with delightful cobbled mews, chic boutiques and beautiful parklands, but it’s also a district of substance, with a long-held reputation for its rich arts and culture scene.

It’s worth joining the hoards that flock to Exhibition Road in South Kensington to gain free entry to some of the world’s finest museums, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. However, if you prefer to go off the beaten track, head towards leafy Holland Park – a quiet saunter through the park’s Kyoto Gardens is a must (listen out for the occasional cry of the resident peacocks).

The Victoria & Albert Museum lies in South Kensington

Decorative columns adorn London’s Victoria & Albert Museum

Among Holland Park’s tree-lined streets of palatial Victorian townhouses – home to the likes of the Beckhams and Richard Branson – you’ll find Leighton House Museum, famed for its remarkable Arab Hall, and 18 Stafford Terrace, a cartoonist’s home chock-full of Victorian paraphernalia. Contemporary architecture buffs will want to take a detour to John Pawson’s Design Museum on High Street Kensington, while those with more traditional tastes can take in the splendour of Christopher Wren’s Kensington Palace – the man behind St Paul’s Cathedral.

If you’re looking for sustenance between museum-hopping, your best bet is to hunt out Kensington’s tucked-away pubs – the Scarsdale Tavern on the Blue Plaque-laden Edwardes Square, the Queen’s Arms on pretty Queen’s Gate Mews and the flower-covered Churchill Arms are top choices. Of course, there are posh spots too – if you want to dine in style, you could do worse than booking a table at Michelin-star Kitchen W8 and Launceston Place. If you’re planning on an after-dinner drink or three, the area’s upscale bars and clubs won’t disappoint either.

Vibrant flowers cover the exterior of The Churchill Arms

The Queen’s Arms is a hidden gem in Queen’s Gate Mews

Shopaholics will also adore this well-heeled district. The crossroads where Fulham Road and Brompton Road meet is brimming with high-end boutiques, smart restaurants (including Bibendum in the iconic Michelin Building) and shops, such as The Conran Shop and indie store Mint, selling design goodies. Antique lovers might want to trawl Kensington Church Street, plus there are some pretty good charity shops for designer bargains, too.

The Michelin House is home to Bibendum, a two-Michelin-star restaurant

End the day with a performance at the glorious Grade I-listed Royal Albert Hall. From Wagner to Pink Floyd, the hall has hosted a variety of concerts, and now it’s not just music you can listen to. Visitors can now watch live tennis, enjoy the ballet and Cirque du Soleil, or even watch live orchestral screenings of popular films from Harry Potter to Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The Royal Albert Hall host concerts, ballets and more

A man takes a break by the Royal Albert Hall, London

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.