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 ฿2,440 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
฿2,440
฿2,928 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 coffee shops/cafes and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Hyde Park and Marble Arch are located ...
Princes Gardens
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 ฿6,889 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
฿6,889
฿8,267 total
13 Sept - 14 Sept
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 ...
The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
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 ฿6,787 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
฿6,787
฿8,144 total
13 Sept - 14 Sept
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! (1,386 reviews)
"Brilliant location, helpful staff. Made for a very pleasant stay. Hope to return in the not too distant future."

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2026

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South 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 ฿5,146 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿5,146
฿6,175 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
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 Hyde Park and Marble Arch are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (611 reviews)
"This is a beautiful hotel, helpful people, clean, and in an excellent location for visiting London. We stayed in the snug, which is appropriately named as there is no place to open your suitcase. You literally walk in and you have a bathroom to the right and pretty much about a few steps and your ..."

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2026

The Drey - Kensington, Earl's Court
Bob W London Kensington

Bob W London Kensington

3 out of 5
44 Harrington Gardens London England
The price is ฿3,113 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿3,113
฿3,736 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and housekeeping. Popular attractions Hyde Park and Marble Arch are located nearby.
Bob W London Kensington
The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place London England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿8,010 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
฿8,010
฿9,612 total
13 Sept - 14 Sept
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! (2,182 reviews)
"We chose this hotel for the fact that it had a swimming pool for our daughter. HOWEVER. We had to pay £22:50 per day to use it. Apart from that. That hotle is really good. The breakfasts was excellent."

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2026

The Rembrandt
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

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.

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 Billingsgate Market. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Heron Quays DLR Station or Canary Wharf Underground Station.

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.

Soho

Soho is beloved for its fantastic nightlife. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Oxford Street and Soho Square.



South Kensington Travel Guide