This elegant London district houses the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Kensington Palace. High-end boutiques and cafes line its leafy streets.
Kensington, a district in west London, stretches from the grand Victorian mansions of Kensington High Street to the red terracotta facade of the Natural History Museum. You'll find yourself walking past Kensington Palace's ornate gates, through streets lined with white stucco townhouses, and into museum quarters where dinosaur skeletons and space rockets draw millions of visitors each year. The neighborhood's garden squares and cobblestone mews create quiet spaces just steps away from the main thoroughfares.
Underground Stations and Bus Routes
You can reach Kensington via three Underground stations: High Street Kensington, Gloucester Road, and South Kensington. The Circle Line runs through all three stations, with trains to Liverpool Street and Victoria stations departing every 10 minutes. Take bus routes 9, 10, or 52 along Kensington High Street to reach Knightsbridge and Hammersmith. Walking between attractions typically takes 15-20 minutes from any station.
Natural History and Science Museums
The Natural History Museum's red terracotta walls display intricate carvings of animals and plants. Walk into Hintze Hall to see the 25-meter blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling. The Earth Galleries contain meteorites, minerals, and interactive earthquake simulations. Next door, the Science Museum spans seven floors, including the Apollo 10 command module and Stephenson's Rocket locomotive. Both museums open daily 10:00-17:50, with no entrance fee.
Kensington Gardens and Holland Park
Walk through Kensington Gardens' 265 acres of paths and lawns that connect to Hyde Park. The Italian Gardens contain four ornamental fountains and marble statues dating from the 1860s. Visit the Serpentine Gallery (Tuesday-Sunday) to see contemporary art exhibitions that change six times per year. In Holland Park, the Kyoto Garden creates a Japanese landscape with a waterfall, koi pond, and stone lanterns.
Kensington Palace and State Apartments
Visit the palace daily between 10:00-18:00 in summer and 10:00-16:00 in winter. The King's State Apartments contain painted ceilings from the early 1700s, while Queen Victoria's childhood rooms remain preserved with her original furniture and belongings. Walk along Kensington Palace Gardens street to see ambassadorial residences behind iron gates.
High Street and Church Street Shopping
Walk down Kensington High Street from Kensington Church Street to Earl's Court Road to find shops like Uniqlo, Waterstones, and Whole Foods Market. The side streets contain independent bookshops and cafes. On Kensington Church Street, more than 60 art dealers and antique shops sell furniture, prints, and ceramics.
Royal Albert Hall and Design Museum
The Royal Albert Hall hosts over 390 events each year, including classical concerts and the BBC Proms in summer. During term time, you can attend free lunch-hour concerts at the Royal College of Music on most weekdays. The Design Museum in Holland Park exhibits product, industrial, and fashion design through temporary exhibitions and its permanent collection of 1,000+ items.
