A Royal Borough surrounded by beautiful gardens and perfectly built porch-fronted Victorian terraces, Kensington is one of London’s wealthiest regions. It is home to some world-renowned museums, and the best thing about them is they are free to the general public. Visitors don’t need to spend a single cent to explore the place. If you’re up for some sight-seeing or a strolling, go and visit some of their parks. The sceneries are majestic, and you will surely have an amazing time. If you’re looking for designer apparel and you’d like to find something worth your money, check out their vibrant district made especially for splurging, where you can enjoy shopping at the fancy boutiques and delight yourself with delectable dishes at the fine-dining restaurants. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Kensington, London.
1. Join a high tea at Kensington Palace (from USD 153.0)
Experience the essence of British culture by visiting Kensington Palace for high tea. As one of the most iconic landmarks in Britain, the palace offers a unique opportunity to combine culture and history with indulgence. This regal outing allows you to enjoy high tea in true British style by sampling delicious sandwiches, cakes, and scones before taking a stroll through the palace’s stunning grounds.
With the guidance of a knowledgeable tour guide, you will learn about Hyde Park, admire gardens created by Prince Albert, and discover the fascinating history of Britain’s beloved beverage.
High Tea at Kensington Palace Gardens
Duration: 2 hours
2. Experience serenity at the Kyoto Garden
Located in the bustling city of London, the Kyoto Garden within Holland Park provides a tranquil escape from the city’s commotion. A gift from Kyoto City to symbolize the friendship between Japan and Great Britain, this traditional park boasts tiered waterfalls, a serene pond filled with colorful koi carp, and various stone lanterns and Japanese maple trees. In addition to the Kyoto Garden, Holland Park also features a variety of gardens, an open-air theater, a cafe, and a restaurant.
Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Address: Kyoto Garden, Holland Park, Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UA, United Kingdom
Website: Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Opening hours: 7:30am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free
3. Celebrate the love for art at Leighton House Museum
Calling all the art aficionados, Leighton House Museum will surely entertain you from the moment you set foot inside the building. So what is the story behind this museum? It was once home to Sir Frederic Leighton, a famous painter who had a great passion for art, which was preserved for the public to witness and appreciate. It is where he expressed his artistic beliefs and decorated the house with all the fancy things that dazzle every guest who visits the place. What you will see inside are Leighton and his contemporaries’ work, that will fascinate every art lover.
Leighton House Museum
Address: 12 Holland Park Rd, Kensington, London W14 8LZ, United Kingdom
Website: Leighton House Museum
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 5:30pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
Price: 9 EUR (9.75 USD)
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4. Discover the latest design trends at the Design Museum
Are you travelling for leisure, business, or education? Whatever your reason is, visiting the Design Museum will give you a meaningful trip to Kensington. Whether it’s a product design, industrial, graphic, fashion, or architectural design, the Design Museum covers them all. The museum features a collection that will help you to keep track of the basic designs that have shaped the present time. It is such an entertaining place to explore, where you will discover how much the designs of the past have transformed the present.
Design Museum
Address: 224-238 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 6AG, United Kingdom
Website: Design Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
5. Unlock the secrets of the past at the Natural History Museum (from USD 115.0)
Have you ever thought of what happened before the dinosaur extinction? Or how the primitive people lived their lives without the things that we enjoy today? How natural disasters changed the world? If you love history and have a great interest in evolution, the Natural History Museum will answer every question that bugs your mind. The museum will take you back to the past from the moment the planets were formed to the volcanic disasters and extinction events that killed all the dinosaurs, to the dawn of humankind. A tour around the place will give you insight into the world and everything in it.
Natural History Museum London - Private Guided Museum Tour
Duration: 2 hours
6. Take a healthy morning walk at Holland Park
How about a morning jog at a park with family and friends? Getting some vitamin D from the sun would be a lovely thing to do. Whether you are looking for a peaceful place to rest, a sweet escape, or a perfect destination to bring your family over the weekend, Holland Park is the best spot to spend the day. It is the largest park in Kensington and is a great place for a picnic and some sports. Numerous shops and restaurants surround the area to make your day even more amazing.
Holland Park
Address: Ilchester Pl, Kensington, London W8 6LU, United Kingdom
Website: Holland Park
7. Ignite intellectual curiosity at the Science Museum
Are you a fan of Albert Einstein? Did you ever dream of becoming a Scientist? Discoveries, innovations, and the latest trends in technology are some of the things that you will witness at the Science Museum. The place is suitable for both adults and children. The young ones will be delighted by the interactive and 3D movies, and the stimulators available in the building. It is surely going to be an out-of-this-world experience.
Science Museum
Address: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom
Website: Science Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
8. Go on a shopping spree at Kensington High Street
If you feel like spending a lot and want to have some retail therapy, Kensington High Street will leave your face with a smile and your wallet empty, because of the wide variety of brand-name stores available. Some of them are Urban Outfitters, H&M, American Apparel, and high-end British brands like L.K.Bennett, Sweaty Betty, Reiss, and Neal’s Yard Remedies. If you ever get hungry after a tiring day of shopping, restaurants are just around the area. So, make sure to devote a big budget when visiting this Kensington High Street.
Kensington High Street
Address: Kensington High Street Station Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA England
9. Have a pint and savor delicious Thai food at The Churchill Arms
The most beautiful pub in London that pairs pad Thai with an ice-cold lager, The Churchill Arms, is famous because of the gorgeous flowers that cover the building. The bar spends 25,000 euros (30,000 USD) a year on their flowers. It has classy and exceptional exteriors and interiors. The ambience of the place will make you enjoy your food even more, plus the company of your friends and family. It is one of the best places to go to in Kensington and one that you should not miss.
The Churchill Arms
Address: 119 Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 7LN, United Kingdom
Website: The Churchill Arms
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 11pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 10:30pm
10. Enjoy a hearty meal at Ffiona's
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
You will never be a stranger at Ffiona’s. Aside from the food, customer service is what makes the customers come back. The owner of the cafe always treats her guests like V.I.Ps. They serve American pancakes, English breakfasts, and British comfort food along with steaks, kidney pie, and mouthwatering sticky toffee pudding. The restaurant has been serving great good for both locals and tourists for the last 25 years, and it is truly a pride of Kensington.
Ffiona's
Address: 51 Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 4BA, United Kingdom
Website: Ffiona’s
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 6pm - 11pm; Sat: 9am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm; Sun: 9am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm (closed on Mon)
11. Learn about living like a Royal at Kensington Palace (from USD 32.0)
Who among us does not dream of becoming a king, a queen, a prince or a princess? When you think of royalty, it is always related to a palace or a castle. Kensington Palace, the place where Queen Victoria was born and home to Princess Margaret, Princess Diana, and young royals for more than 300 years, is one of the must-see places in London. Once inside, you have the chance to explore the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, where you will find rare works from the Royal Collection. Wander around Kensington Palace Gardens and enjoy the beautiful sceneries. You should not leave the place without visiting the ‘Victoria Revealed’ exhibition and learn more about the life of Queen Victoria, from the time she was born, how she was raised, until the time that she finally got the crown. A tour around the place will surely make you want to dream more of becoming a Royal.
Kensington Palace Entrance Ticket
Duration: 3 hours
12. Watch great performances at the Royal Albert Hall (from USD 18.0)
Do you love watching concerts and live performances? If you do, then you should not dare miss to visit the Royal Albert Hall. It is one of the most famous stages in the world, and the United Kingdom’s most treasured and distinctive buildings. What should you expect to see inside? You will get to admire the stunning auditorium and marvel at the stage where great artists have performed. You will also get the chance to visit the Royal Entrance, Royal Retiring Room, and the Queen’s Box. Learn more about the history of the hall as well as inside and backstage stories from the entertaining guides.
The Royal Albert Hall Tour
Duration: 1 hour
Experience the life in Kensington, London
Posh and sophisticated, visitors will surely have a wonderful time in Kensington. Experience the life of the Royals as you explore the area and learn about its rich cultural heritage by spending a day in their famous museums. Shop like there’s no limit and treat yourself to designer clothes, bags, and shoes. Make your trip more memorable as you try all the best things to do in Kensington, London.
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