Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Travel Guide

London

Kensington Roof Gardens featuring a park
Kensington Palace which includes château or palace and heritage architecture as well as an individual female
Kensington Palace featuring a park and a castle
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington Palace showing château or palace, a park 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

Things to do


Top hotels in Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place, Kensington, London, England
The price is ฿6,779 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
฿6,779
฿8,134 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,018 reviews)
The Rembrandt
"The front desk, restaurant and cleaning staff were great! The hotel location was good. the rooms are a little dated and the mattresses a bit hard for my liking."

Reviewed on 16 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 ฿6,156 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
฿6,156
฿7,387 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (890 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 ฿6,833 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
฿6,833
฿8,200 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,048 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
The price is ฿9,089 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
฿9,089
฿10,907 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,787 reviews)
Great property and conveniently located.
"This is a premium property in a great location. Very clean, well-designed and appointed. Staff is very accommodating and helpful."

Reviewed on 20 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 ฿3,324 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
฿3,324
฿3,989 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,337 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 ฿4,563 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
฿4,563
฿5,475 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 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(132 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 interior views, heritage elements 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 featuring a park

Kensington

4.5/5(1,515 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 showing heritage architecture

City of Westminster

4.5/5(2,564 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 showing 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

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Travel Guide