Kensington Guide
Kensington sits on the west side of Hyde Park and has been one of London’s most desirable spots since the 1700s. Favoured by royalty and the aristocracy for the quality of its air and open spaces, it continues to attract London’s elite. Alongside the development of housing, shops and commerce in the area, Kensington’s internationally renowned museums date back to the Victorian era. The area’s garden squares are home to wealthy private owners, discreet businesses and embassies too. The overall ambience is chic, exclusive and thoroughly charming. And yet the borough is still in easy reach of Central London, the City and Docklands, making it as appealing for business travellers as it is for tourists.
Popular Kensington locations
High Street Kensington is a magnet for discerning shoppers, with a fabulous choice of famous names and independent boutiques. Harrods, London’s premier department store, is close by, as is Harvey Nichols, a top destination for style-conscious Londoners and visitors. Smaller art and craft shops, wine merchants and delis pop up along Kensington Church Street and a wander through the side streets and squares will uncover ever more delightful places to spend your time and money.
When it’s time to refuel, the options for eating and drinking are as attractive as everything else in the area. You can find plenty of smart restaurants, as well as flower-bedecked Victorian pubs and elegant spots for a very civilised afternoon tea.
Cromwell Road offers a fantastic opportunity to experience centuries of culture at the Victoria and Albert Museum. At the Science Museum, the whole family can celebrate a world of scientific achievement, and the Natural History Museum brings visitors up close to the glories of the natural world – you can even put your head in the jaws of a dinosaur!
The museums are next to Queen’s Gate where you will bump into students and academics from Imperial College. You are also likely to see musicians carrying their instruments to The Royal College of Music and the majestic Royal Albert Hall, the wonderful venue for music and shows of all kinds, named fin memory of her beloved husband by Queen Victoria.
Open spaces are on the doorstep for visitors to Kensington, with Holland Park, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park all nestling up to the areas elegant streets. For special place to stay, choose an apartment with a park view – you’re close to the beating heart of London but will still have lovely lawns and trees outside your window. Other uniquely appealing spots in Kensington are the garden squares linked by quiet side streets. For a stroll around some of London’s most elegant and tranquil spots, plan your route around the likes of Hans Square, Thurloe Square, Pelham Crescent and Onslow Square.
Neighbouring the wallet-stretching heart of Kensington, Earl’s Court is a vibrant neck of the woods for more budget conscious travellers, with plenty of pubs, clubs and music venues. It also has a great range of attractive serviced apartments and aparthotels to suit travellers with every kind of requirement.
Getting around
Kensington is well connected by the London Underground to the rest of the city, as well as by the bus network. You can also hail a black cab or book a private hire car to get you from A to B. If prefer to stretch your legs, the walk across Hyde Park to the West End and Piccadilly is always a pleasure.
It is a short trip to the centre of London and the main rail terminals if you need to travel out of town, or to London’s major airports. Major roads in Kensington will take you out to the west to connect with London’s inner orbital road, the North Circular, or further out to the M25 motorway which runs in a complete circle around London’s outer suburbs, and is linked to the country’s motorway network.
As in the rest of London, driving should be approached with caution. Major city issues of congestion and limited parking make using a car in Kensington difficult, although the number of prestige cars you see in the area might tempt you to think otherwise.
For weekends
A weekend in Central London is ideal for seeing the sights, a shopping trip, a visit for a play, musical or concert or to enjoy some of the best restaurants in the world – or a combination of some or all of these! There are also a host of major sporting events that take place throughout the year, and although the venues are a little further afield, a base in the centre of the city is perfect for making a weekend of it.
With such a wide range of serviced apartments available from The Apartment Network, booking a weekend away in a home from home makes good sense for couples, families and other groups. There’s no better way to enjoy a break in Central London.
For families
Kensington works exceptionally well for families. There is no hiding form the relatively high rates for larger apartments in the area, and the top-end prices you’ll see in many of the shops and eating places, but of your budget stretches to Kensington costs, it really can be a fantastic place to stay. And, of course, you can also find less expensive alternatives very close at hand.
Kensington’s museums have a wealth of interactive activities for children, and have done a brilliant job of combining learning with pleasure. Generations of youngsters have had their interest in science, nature and the arts fired up here, and in their latest endeavours the museums are providing more thoughtful inspiration than ever.
To burn off youthful energy the parks are great places to run around, kick a ball and chase each other (and chase parents too). In the Memorial Garden to Diana, Princess of Wales there is even a pirate ship to clamber around, as well as teepees and tree houses.
You will always be able to find great places for families to eat anywhere in London and Kensington is no exception. After a museum visit, check out the pedestrianised stretch of Queen’s Gate for pizzas, burgers and ice creams which are good enough to keep mums and dads as happy as their little ones.
Tips for moving to Kensington
When a place is as attractive as Kensington, it is always going to be a major draw for anyone relocating to London. As with any major move, it is important to match up what you want with what is available in the area, and at The Apartment Network we can help you do exactly that.
Our tips are:
- Be clear about the amount of space you need. Remember, the longer you are staying, the more square feet you are likely to need to stay happy in your new home.
- If you are working, check out the options for getting to your office.
- If you have children, research nearby nurseries, schools and colleges, including admission policies and fees for private establishments.
- Spend a few days and nights in the vicinity, so that you can see for yourself just what is like throughout the day.
- Check out local shopping, restaurants, gyms and any other type of establishment you will want to make use of.
- Make sure you have access to nearby healthcare for all members of your household.
Once you have got to know Kensington you will find yourself attracted to particular spots. Once you have decided, you can let us do the hard work of finding you the best available options.
Places of interest
Kensington is most famous for the excellent museums in the Cromwell Road, and a visit is well worth building into the itinerary for any trip to London. As well as the major museums, the Design Museum in Kensington High Street is a great place for everyone interested in design and innovation.
For concerts for all tastes, from orchestral to ballet to rock and much more, the Royal Albert Hall is a must. Check out the schedules at the venue’s website, and pick from the list of wonderful things to see and hear. To get a feel for the devotion of Queen Victoria to her husband, it is worth crossing the road from the hall to the glittering Albert Memorial opposite.
Also on a royal theme, a walk over Kensington Gardens (essentially part of Hyde Park) to the Diana Memorial Playground is another example of the treasured memory of a hugely popular royal, Diana, Princess of Wales. The playground is named after her and reflects her compassionate and affectionate interest in children throughout the world.
Restaurants, events and entertainment
Kensington and neighbouring Chelsea are home to an excellent selection of places to eat, including Gordon Ramsay’s three Michelin star flagship restaurant, as well as very affordable cafés for a quick bite. A full choice of types of cuisine at all prices is on your doorstep.
Cinemas span hi-tech national chains to independent venues showing art movies. Theatres are less glitzy than in the West End, but are part of vibrant culture scene which includes, during the summer, the open air theatre in Kensington Gardens where world-class opera takes to the stage. In Sloane Square, the Royal Court is famous for productions of contemporary plays.
For a spot of pampering Kensington offers a choice of spas and salons which will set you up for living the Kensington lifestyle, as will the local selection of gyms and wellness centres.
And, of course, if Kensington doesn’t offer the entertainment you’re after, you can hop onto a tube and head for Central London and all the distractions the city centre has to offer.
