Kensington High Street is the district’s busiest shopping area.
If you’re looking to go on a shopping spree or take in some of the best cultural exhibits in London, look no further than Kensington. It’s one of London’s most luxurious neighborhoods, and we’ve got the inside scoop on what to do in London and where to stay!
Ready for some serious shopping? Well, bring along your wallet and head to Kensington High Street, where you’ll find the latest in clothing, shoes, cell phones or whatever your heart desires at stores like Zara, H&M, and the Gap. But here’s a fair warning: it gets pretty hectic on weekends! If you want to shop in peace, try a weekday morning instead. If you’re looking to spend a little more on the latest designer fashions, then you’ll probably want to head over to Sloane Street where you’ll find plenty of high-end clothing boutiques including Gucci, Prada, and Giorgio Armani. Kensington is also home to several excellent department stores, including Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Peter Jones.
South Kensington is home to some of best museums in London, like the Natural History Museum.
South Kensington is home to some of best museums in London. If you’re planning to visit the Natural History Museum, we recommend going in the summer to avoid the visiting school children and making sure you don’t miss the Dinosaurs, Mammals, and Central Hall exhibits. Scheduled to reopen next month following a £12 million renovation, Kensington Palace will house a new exhibit that provides a glimpse into the life of Queen Victoria. And finally, there’s the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of London’s best arts and design museums specializing in contemporary shows like the upcoming Hollywood Costume exhibit.
And while you’re living up the good life in Kensington, give your feet a break from trying on shoes and wandering around museums for a cup of tea. If you’re near Kensington High Street, stop in the Royal Garden Hotel, which overlooks the Kensington Gardens, for afternoon tea. Or if you’ve maxed out your credit cards at Harrods, drop by the Bentley Hotel.
If you’re trying to figure out how to get around London, we suggest the fabulous public transportation system. Getting to all these wonderful shops and museums in Kensington is a breeze with either the Underground or the buses. So leave your driver’s license at home.
And where to stay in Kensington? Forget the London hotels! We’ve got some of the best short-term London rental apartments with features hotel just can’t offer!
Shopping
Kensington High Street
Sloane Street
Harrods, 87 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL
Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
Peter Jones, Sloane Square, SW1W 8EL
Museums
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD
Kenington Palace, Greater London W84 PX
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
Afternoon Tea
Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High Street, W8 4PT
The Bentley Hotel, 27-33 Harrington Gardens, SW7 4JX
