Kensington is a popular district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with over 155,000 people calling it home. Kensington occupies the area below Hyde Park, whilst being enclosed by other popular districts like Chelsea and Knightsbridge
It appeals to travellers due to its upscale and high-end feel, which isn’t surprising given that it is in one of the wealthiest areas in the whole of London. The swish SW7 postcode is a staple that the residents take to heart and can often be a sign of envy from all those that want to lead the London high life available in the streets.
One other key factor to the area’s popularity is the array of attractions within its boundaries, including Kensington High Street, Harrods, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. Giving its residents and guests ample access to high sale commerce, history and scientific institutions, they can feel like they’re in the perfect spot for the ultimate London experience.
Lastly, there are the fine dining and luxurious restaurants that fill up the shopping streets, each one serving a diversity of global cuisines. The foods here are cooked to the highest quality, so all guests can indulge in delight as the rest of the city moves around outside. From the best of British to French finesse and other remarkable and popular dishes, any guest of ours will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the opulent cooking standards of Kensington.
History of Kensington
Like most English towns and cities, the Domesday Book from the 11th century is where Kensington was first mentioned. But, while Kensington was known, it didn’t start to become the spot that it is now until the 17th century.
Asking historians and locals most would agree that the Great Exhibition of 1851 really kicked Kensington into the stratosphere. This keystone event involved vivid displays of innovation and achievements in Britain’s industries and showed where its current successes could take it in the next century or so. As the first international exhibition of its kind, it became very popular and it led the organisers to buy the land south of Hyde Park to build the huge museums that now dominate Exhibition Road; V&A, Natural History Museum and the Science Museum.
After the successful exhibition, it became the cultural quarter of London, and thus many other establishments sprang into fruition prompting educational and entertainment venues. These added a much-needed boost to poorer and not so well off locals in the late 19th century. The museums showed inspiring exhibitions that granted the perfect getaway from reality and into something far more wholesome.
This long and fascinating history takes us right into its present where weekdays and weekends in Kensington are filled with exuberant tourists and Londoners exploring the new displays and finding a source of enrichment from the venues and shopping streets. Expensive, opulent and renowned stores like Harrods lead Kensington's consumer culture while Hyde Park has become one of the key venues in the city itself.
Business Life in Kensington
An epicentre of business and financial transactions, the city of London sits alongside New York, its American cousin, as one of the main cities to do business. Corporate travellers come to the city every year to set up networking events or hang out with clients in the very best restaurants in the city. But when they want a new and upscale London experience, they head to Kensington
Kensington, as a business neighbourhood, is a top pick for those that want to live in style and luxury whilst enjoying the plethora of delights that make up the British capital city. Its opulent shopping streets offer the chance to pass the time, and an array of luxurious and modern restaurants ensure that business can take place at all hours over delicious and exceptional food. And when our corporate guests want a few days off from commuting to the offices and organising their schedules, they enjoy the landmarks and areas of interest in Kensington like the V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Kensington High Street.
Kensington’s population enjoys higher salaries than most, and there are around 18,000 businesses here. Each one of the businesses benefits from a local economy which is almost six times the European average and a GDP that’s almost double other parts of Europe.
Additionally, businesses have the support of the Kensington & Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, an independent business network that promotes and supports the services of local trade. Such avid support from the community like this ensures a boosting local economy. No wonder so many corporate travellers and business people come and stay in South Kensington’s serviced apartments.
Where to Stay in Kensington
Kensington is located in the West End of Central London, north of Fulham, east of Hammersmith and on the southwest corner of Hyde Park.
It is an ideal spot to stay in London, whatever the reason for the visit. It is ideally located for travel into Central London and, because of the transport links, it is even easy to get into East London and the corporate area around Canary Wharf.
For anyone wanting to stay put in Kensington itself, there is a huge number of attractions within walking distance.
Kensington High Street is a great place to stay for anyone who has even just a passing interest in shopping. It was the home of major department stores for many years and now has been redesigned as a traditional British High Street. This is in contrast to Westfield Shopping, a mall-type shopping centre which has opened in nearby Shepherds Bush.
South Kensington is the more cultured side of the area and a favorite of tourists who are visiting London. It has a high concentration of historic landmarks as well as being home to some of the most well-known museums in the capital. It is also in close proximity to other popular London areas like Chelsea, Earls Court, and Knightsbridge.
Facts about Kensington
Kensington’s history stretches back to the time of William the Conqueror when it was part of the historic county of Middlesex.
Today it is an area that has grown from the High Street, with pretty vague geographical boundaries. A particularly old and apparently unsolvable local argument is where Kensington ends and Chelsea begins.
The west of Kensington is more clearly defined by a railway line running across it.
Kensington is part of one of the most populated areas in the UK but it also boasts two famous London green areas, Kensington Gardens, and Hyde Park. Though the latter only borders Kensington itself.
More facts about Kensington
- The first official sumo wrestling tournament to be held away from Japan was held in Kensington, at the Royal Albert Hall.
- Two of the most expensive streets in London can be found in Kensington. Including the most expensive street, Kensington Palace Gardens.
- One-fifth of the UK’s most visited attractions is to be found in Kensington.
- Members of the Royal Family have called Kensington home since the seventeenth century,
- The tallest church spire in London can be found in Kensington. It stands above St Mary’s Abbots Church.
- Prince William and Kate and Prince Harry and Meghan live in Kensington Palace and its gardens.
- The Domesday Book gave Kensington its first official mention in 1086.
- There are eight Royal parks in London and Kensington is home to one of them.
- The Beatles and the Rolling Stones only appeared on the same bill twice, the first of which was at the Royal Albert Hall in 1963.
- Kensington is home to London’s ‘Museum District’.
Kensington’s high profile role in the capital is helped by its access to London’s vast transport network. This access comes in the form of two overground train stations, four underground train stations, and multiple bus routes.
South Kensington and Gloucester Road stations also sit on the Piccadilly Line, giving direct access to Heathrow Airport in only 45 minutes.
Things to do in Kensington
The full list is long. As already mentioned, one-fifth of the most visited UK attractions are located here. Finding fun activities in Kensington or things to do in Kensington with kids is even more straightforward than it is in the rest of London.
Best Things to do in Kensington
What are some of the most popular activities in Kensington? What are some of the must-see, cool things to do in Kensington?
Here are a few.
- The Natural History Museum
- Royal Albert Hall concert
- Shopping at Harrods
- The Science Museum
- Visit Kensington Palace
Is Kensington a good neighborhood for families?
It’s an affluent area of London with a high proportion of residential areas when compared to other areas in London. It is also home to some of the best and most popular attractions to be found in the UK. It’s a great neighborhood for families!
Are there any free activities in Kensington?
Museums are free in London, which means some of the most respected museums in the world, which just happen to be located in Kensington, are essentially free.
‘Essentially’ because a donation should always be considered.
Shopping also costs nothing, as long as it doesn’t lead to buying! Harrods, for example, is a great place to browse.
The Royal College of Music is located in Kensington and puts on fantastic free classical concerts throughout the year.
Places to visit in Kensington
As per the list above, there are many must-do things in Kensington from museums to Royal palaces to shopping. A serviced apartment in Kensington is all well and good, but it’s not somewhere that anyone wants to spend all day if they can help it!
- The Natural History Museum - One of the three ‘big’ museums to be found in Kensington, this natural history museum is home to 80 million items, so impossible to get round in just one day.
- Science Museum - Another of the big three, this museum is located next door to the Natural History Museum, but to see them both in one day is a tall order. It’s a great place for kids with plenty of buttons to push and levers to pull!
- Royal Albert Hall - One of the UK’s most recognizable buildings, this concert hall was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871. The acoustics are legendary, making it one of the best places to hear live music.
- Shopping at Harrods - One of the most famous department stores in the world. There are over 330 departments to browse and the site covers five acres in its entirety.
- Kensington Palace - It is the official royal residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the future King, and Queen of the British Throne, as well as lots of other members of the Royal Family. It is also open to visitors.
Places to Eat in Kensington
As a major London retail area, Kensington is not short of places to eat. There are high-end restaurants in which to enjoy an evening meal, as well as places to enjoy a light snack or just a coffee.
Here are ten of the best places to eat in Kensington, whether looking for romantic restaurants in Kensington or quirky restaurants in Kensington, this list is bound to have something to suit.
Top ten restaurants in Kensington:
- Launceston Place
- Kitchen W8
- Elystan Street
- Balans
- Cambio De Tercio
- The Ledbury
- Beirut Express
- Kensington Place
- Thali Restaurant
- The Havelock Tavern
What are the poshest restaurants in Kensington?
The ten poshest restaurants in Kensington are:
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
- Belvedere
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsey
- The Abingdon
- Il Portico
- The Shed
- The Ivy Kensington Brasserie
- Park Terrace Restaurant
- Zuma
- Gordon Ramsey Maze Grill Mayfair
What is a cheap place to eat in Kensington?
Ten cheaper places to eat in Kensington are:
- Cacciari’s
- Muriel’s Kitchen
- The Queen’s Arms
- Iddu
- Squirrel
- Comptoir Libanais
- Brompton Food Market
- The Diner
- Phat Phuc Noodle Bar
- Tombo
Street food in Kensington
Whilst Kensington doesn’t have the foodie market of Borough, nor the range of ethnic eateries of Brick Lane, it does have its fair share of reasonably priced street food. There’s a small selection of cheap places to eat, but these few serve some of the best food in Kensington.
Shopping in Kensington
Kensington is an icon of ‘days gone by’ high street shopping. Whilst covered shopping centers and malls are springing up all over the UK, Kensington has held firm with its traditional high street layout.
The most infamous Kensington shopping street is High Street Kensington. Here you can find the best shopping in Kensington.
If malls are more to taste, that’s no problem either, the biggest mall in Kensington isn’t actually quite in Kensington but close enough. The Westgate is just down the road in Shepherd’s Bush.
Whether looking for the best shopping in Kensington for clothes, streetwear shops in Kensington or cheap shopping in Kensington, between High Street and Westfield, it’s covered.
Here are ten of the best shops in Kensington and the surrounding areas.
- Portobello Road Market
- South Kensington Books
- Harrods
- Christie’s South Kensington
- The Conran Shop
- L.K.Bennett
- Harvey Nichols
- Orsini Vintage
- Cologne and Cotton
- Whole Foods
Transportation in Kensington
Getting around once in London is actually fairly straightforward, especially if the underground network is working. London Underground prices are also fairly reasonable for full-day travel passes and Oyster cards.
Here are the four London Underground stations located within Kensington
- South Kensington
- High Street Kensington
- Earl’s Court
- Gloucester Road
There are also another two underground stations within close proximity,
- Notting Hill
- Holland Park
The area is also served by two overground train stations,
- West Brompton
- Kensington (Olympia)
The prices vary according to the zone that people wish to travel to. All of the underground stations listed above are in Zone 1, except Holland Park which falls in Zone 2.
All of TheSqua.re’s Kensington apartments are within easy reach of underground stations. Here are the costs.
- Single journey ticket (zone 1-2) - £4.90
- Oyster/Contactless payment card (zone 1-2) - £2.40
Weather in Kensington
The UK is not a big country and therefore has limited weather zones. The southeast of England has similar weather throughout. London is in the southeast and therefore Kensington follows suit.
The weather, as a rule, has no rules and is quite difficult to forecast, what with Britain being an island. However, Kensington is guaranteed to be cold in winter and warm in summer. But remember, summer can jump between pouring rain and blistering temperatures at a moment’s notice, so layers are recommended.
As well as summer, spring and autumn are recommended times to visit Kensington. All will bring reasonable temperatures, at times, and will avoid the freezing cold of winter.
