South Kensington: London's Museum Quarter
South Ken, as it is often referred to, is a great place to while away a whole day. As well as three of London's biggest and best museums, there're plenty of other things to do that are sure to entertain and amuse everyone in your group.
South Kensington: London's Free Museums
South Kensington is home to a cluster of free museums, making it the perfect destination for families and adults alike.
In winter, the Natural History Museum also hosts an ice-rink.
At the Victoria and Albert Museum, you can see art and design from the past 3000 years, including ceramics, furniture, fashion, jewellery, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.
The family-friendly Science Museum caters for kids of all ages. The interactive Garden area is specially designed for under fives, while the hands-on Launchpad gallery is perfect for teenagers.
Just next door you'll find London's Natural History Museum, where you can come face-to-face with a giant T-rex, and experience an earthquake in the Power Within zone.
The Royal Albert Hall
Kensington's famous Royal Albert Hall plays host to The BBC Proms concerts each year. As well as classical concerts, you can also see rock and pop gigs, ballet, opera and even tennis here!
Next door to the Royal Albert Hall is the Royal College of Art, a postgraduate art and design college, which holds regular exhibitions. Look out for up-and-coming artists and designers at the annual graduate shows.
Royal Parks in Kensington
There's plenty of green space in Kensington – the area's home to two of London's magnificent Royal Parks: Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
When you're in Kensington Gardens, make sure you visit Kensington Palace, the current London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It is also where both Queen Victoria and Diana, Princess of Wales lived. Explore the State Apartments, see Queen Victoria's bedroom, look around temporary exhibitions, stroll around the landscaped gardens and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in the Orangery.
Take a walk around Kensington's Royal Parks and you'll discover lots more attractions, including the Serpentine lake, the Albert Memorial, the Serpentine Gallery, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.
High Street Kensington
Looking for a shopping fix? Check out High Street Kensington's fabulous shops, from Habitat and Urban Outfitters, to Oliver Bonas and Zara. Don't miss the Whole Foods Market, a huge organic food market housed in a former department store.
High above the shops of Kensington High Street is a hidden oasis, Kensington Roof Gardens. The rooftop is home to award-winning British restaurant, Babylon, as well as a private members' club, a series of themed gardens and four resident flamingos!
If you're a history fan, make sure you visit nearby Linley Sambourne House. Cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne and his family lived here from 1874, and the house still contains most of the original furniture and fittings.
Kensington Hotels
There's an excellent range of hotels in Kensington. Kensington hotels include:
- Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
- Royal Garden Hotel
- Kensington House Hotel
- The Kensington Hotel
- The Meninger City Hostel and Hotel