As part of my ongoing quest to explore London’s neighborhoods, I’ve been spending time in Kensington. Which is easy, because I live here. This area is one of my favorite places in London, and I hope this guide to Kensington helps you discover the best of it.
Kensington, London
Located south of Notting Hill and north of South Kensington, this upscale area is full of colorful houses, pretty London mews, and elegant architecture.
It has hidden pubs, bustling shopping streets, and photo opportunities galore. It’s also right by Kensington Palace and its famous gardens.
How to Get Here
It’s easy to get here, too. The area is accessible by tube, bus, and on foot.
If you take the tube, you can get off at Kensington High Street and be right in the heart of the neighborhood. You can also get off at Notting Hill Gate and walk south into the area, or Gloucester Road and walk north.
If you take a bus, local services from all over London come here. You can look up which one stops closest to where you want to go to find out which is the best to take.
If you prefer to come on foot, you can walk here from Hyde Park, Notting Hill, South Kensington, Earls Court, and other west London areas.
Where to Stay
If you want to live like a local and stay in the neighborhood, I recommend The Milestone. It’s right on Kensington Gardens and has great views across the park.
I used to live right near here and I can personally attest to how good the locations is. I’ve also had afternoon tea and drinks at the hotel, and I’ve always had great experiences.
Kensington Palace and Gardens
Kensington Gardens is one of my favorite parks in London, and I’ve spent a lot of time admiring its pretty flowers and walking under its vine arches.
Adjacent to Hyde Park, its lawns are the perfect places for picnics in the warmer months, its Orangery is famous for its afternoon tea, and its skies offer spectacular pink sunsets on clear nights.
Kensington Palace itself is open for visits. I’ve toured it to view the State Apartments and special exhibitions. While it’s inspiring to take in the lavish interiors, the ticket price is pretty steep for what you get to see.
Kensington Palace Gardens
Right by the palace, Kensington Palace Gardens is one of the prettiest streets in London. Full of ambassadors’ residences and embassies, it’s lined with some of the most impressive mansions in the UK capital.
It’s a great street to walk down, but if you go keep in mind that photography isn’t permitted.
Kensington Church Street
Not far from Kensington Palace Gardens is the buzzing Kensington Church Street. Running between Kensington and Notting Hill, it’s lined on both sides with shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
The lovely Candella Tea Room has become a favorite for its cozy atmosphere and huge variety of teas. I can’t walk by The Churchill Arms pub without smiling at its flower-festooned facade, either.
If I’m in the mood for dinner with atmosphere, I head to Maggie Jones’s. This neighborhood establishment serves great British fare in an intimate setting.
And if it’s nightlife I’m looking for, I love going to the subterranean speakeasy in Dirty Bones. With a pinball machine, cocktails, and secret doors leading to clandestine spaces, it’s always a fun time.
Kensington High Street
Kensington Church Street runs into Kensington High Street. The stretch between Kensington Palace Gardens and Holland Park is packed with everything from the biggest Whole Foods I’ve ever seen to sporting goods shops and restaurants.
It’s a great place to come and browse between walks in Kensington Gardens and Holland Park.
Pubs and Restaurants
Off the high street are some of the best restaurants and pubs in Kensington.
Unpretentious Kitchen W8 ranks among my favorite restaurants in London. It has a Michelin star, but it feels like a local place with friendly staff and great food.
As far as Kensington pubs go, The Builders Arms is the perfect place for a pint. Tucked away on a side street, it has great atmosphere.
Another favorite is The Queen’s Arms, which is hidden away on a pretty little mews near Gloucester Road. It’s the secret spot for a drink after a concert at Royal Albert Hall.
Streets and Mews
Anyone who knows me is well aware of my love of London’s side streets and mews. This area has more than its fair share of them, and exploring them is one of my favorite things to do in London.
Kynance Mews is the most famous. The street is full of pretty houses and cobblestones. It comes alive with seasonal colors when the autumn leaves and spring wisteria are out in full force.
Another favorite is Osten Mews, with its vine-covered facades and colorful doors. And that’s to say nothing of Adam and Eve Mews, which might have the best street name in the area.
Beyond the mews, Kensington has great streets to explore. Launceston Place is full of elegant houses and has everything from a cafe to a flower shop at the end.
Abingdon Road has some of the prettiest spring wisteria in London, and it arcs around doors and windows as if by magic.
Up near Notting Hill, Farmer Street and Hillgate Place have some of the most colorful houses in London. They always put a smile on my face, not least when I spot an adorable Nissan Figaro parked out front.
If you want to explore these streets and more, my self-guided Kensington walk is a good way to do it.
Kensington
Because above all, I love walking in Kensington. The pretty architecture, cobbled mews with their secret passageways, and beautiful parks and gardens could keep me exploring the neighborhood forever. So it’s a good thing I live here.
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