South Kensington Travel Guide

London

A grand cathedral interior with a high arched ceiling, intricate stonework, and a central staircase.
A tree-lined street with parked cars and a historic building in the background.
A historic red-brick building with arched windows and a central courtyard with a reflective pool.
A grand hall with ornate columns, large stained glass windows, and a chandelier.
A historic building with intricate architecture and a large lawn area.

Some of the best free museum exhibitions in London, a world-famous concert hall and delightful pockets of greenery await in this upmarket neighbourhood.

Home to museums dedicated to art, natural history and science, South Kensington is one of London’s busiest areas. Refined and architecturally impressive South Kensington was born in the 1850s, when Prince Albert had a vision to establish a district for the arts and education. Visit South Kensington to browse superb free exhibitions, attend a concert and relax in pretty parks.

Tourists and locals alike flock to the Natural History Museum, which celebrates Earth’s fascinating biology and geology. Discover dinosaur skeletons, experience an earthquake and observe taxidermy displays of curious creatures. See an 82-feet (25-metre) long whale skeleton and a 1,400-pound (635-kilogram) meteorite. Outside, thousands of native animal, insect and plant species thrive in the Wildlife Garden.

The hands-on and educational exhibits of the Science Museum cater to visitors of all ages. Witness a simulated rocket launch, see revolutionary aircraft, automobiles and locomotives and find an interactive play area geared toward children under the age of 5. Over 5,000 years of worldwide art and design are on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Highlights range from paintings by Botticelli and Raphael to Alexander McQueen dresses and ancient Chinese ceramics.

Book tickets for classical recitals, ballets, operas, jazz, pop and rock concerts at the resplendent Victorian-era Royal Albert Hall. Music legends the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Pink Floyd have all graced the stage. Guided tours takes you behind-the-scenes of this iconic concert hall. Uncover emerging artists via exhibitions at the Royal College of Art.

A varied culinary scene comes to life at the fast food joints and restaurants on Old Brompton Road. Sample Argentine steaks, gourmet burgers, Lebanese mezze dishes and Italian flatbread sandwiches.

Green spaces are never far away from the area’s attractions. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are two of London’s glorious eight Royal Parks.

South Kensington is part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in central London. Travel here by taking the London Underground to the Gloucester Road and South Kensington stations. Belgravia, Chelsea and Knightsbridge are some nearby districts.


Stay near popular South Kensington attractions

Things to do


Top hotels in South Kensington

Princes Gardens

Princes Gardens

4 out of 5
Watts Way London England
The price is ฿2,681 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
฿2,681
฿3,218 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 coffee shops/cafes and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (519 reviews)
"No mention this was student halls in the listing upon booking. No TV in room. Fire alarm went off TWICE in the early hours of our stay. Breakfast facilities were halfway across the other side of London in another building. Parking was a ridiculous price and inaccessible and you had to get a pass ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2026

Princes Gardens
The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place London England
The price is ฿7,658 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
฿7,658
฿9,190 total
13 Aug - 14 Aug
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! (2,205 reviews)
"Front staff very attentive. Rooms nice. Central location. Would stay there again."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2026

The Rembrandt
The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

4 out of 5
140 Gloucester Road London England
The price is ฿7,241 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
฿7,241
฿8,689 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
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! (2,483 reviews)
"Terrible property. Nothing like the pictures or description. Certainly not 4 stars. Run down, dark rooms, stained carpet, smelly environment, AC doesn’t work. If it’s hot weather, you will not be happy."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2026

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
 The Drey - Kensington, Earl's Court

The Drey - Kensington, Earl's Court

3 out of 5
1 Barkston Gardens London England
The price is ฿4,086 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
฿4,086
฿4,903 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and an in-room espresso maker. Popular attractions Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (525 reviews)
"Not only was the hotel very cute, clean, and chic but the staff were absolutely amazing! We had our child become ill overnight abd the staff were extremely helpful when i asked for help finding non emergency care for her. They compassionate and genuinely seemed to care asking about her every time ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2026

The Drey - Kensington, Earl's Court
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 ฿6,407 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
฿6,407
฿7,688 total
13 Aug - 14 Aug
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! (1,338 reviews)
"Mixed stay. Check in was a mess - arrived just after check in time to be told room wasn’t ready but would only be 10mins. Half an hour later still waiting so we asked again and told just a few more minutes or maybe 10-15?! We asked which it was and they couldn’t tell us so we decided not to waste ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2026

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington
Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London

Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London

4 out of 5
4-18 Harrington Gardens London England
The price is ฿4,246 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
฿4,246
฿5,096 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very good! (2,387 reviews)
"Excellent staff! Clean room but little dated bathrooms .breakfast menu was the same every day.there could be some differentiation each day for guests staying long term .nice bed and clean rooms .overall it was a comfortable stay !"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2026

Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London
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.

Where to stay in South Kensington

Find the best South Kensington areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about South Kensington
Learn more about South Kensington

Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is highly notable for its fantastic nightlife, and you might want to visit top sights like Crossrail Place Roof Garden and Museum of London Docklands. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Heron Quays DLR Station or Canary Wharf Underground Station.

London City Centre

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

Covent Garden

The lively bars and colourful gardens are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Covent Garden Market or London Transport Museum while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

City of Westminster

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.

The City of London

The City of London is highly notable for its stunning cathedral, and you might want to visit top sights like St. Paul's Cathedral and London Guildhall. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Bank Underground Station or St. Paul's Underground Station.



South Kensington Travel Guide