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Leighton House and Sambourne House

What to see and do in Kensington and Chelsea

See and do

So much to see and do - visit major museums and galleries, lesser known hidden gems, theatres and other entertainment venues, parks and gardens, places of interest, libraries, sports and recreation, find sculpture on public display, discover the history of the borough, commemorative blue plaques of famous former residents and notable filming locations.

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Explore - Saatchi Gallery
Saatchi Gallery

Founded in 1985 to bring contemporary art to as wide an audience as possible by providing an innovative platform for emerging artists to show their work. The Gallery has hosted 15 out of the top 20 most visited exhibitions in London over the last five years, and has more followers on social media than any other museum in the world. Entry to all Saatchi Gallery’s exhibitions is free.

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Shopping

Shopping

Our shopping centres range from international destinations to smaller, more quirky local centres and street markets.

Explore - Portobello Road credit Gunwoo Kim hero

Eat and drink

Where to Stay

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Natural History Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>The museum’s collections promote the whole of the natural world, but for most visitors it’s about the dinosaurs.</p> <p>Image © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London [2018]. All rights. reserved</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW7 5BD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/">Read more</a></div>

V&A

<div class='contentField'><p>The world's greatest museum of art and design, with collections including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Place

<div class='contentField'><p>201 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, London W8 7LX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/kensington-place" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>

Science Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>Reknowned for its interactive galleries and inspirational exhibitions, with over 15,000 objects on display, including the Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson’s Rocket.</p> <p>Image Mathematics The Winton Gallery, Science Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects,&nbsp; © Nick Guttridge</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Exhibition Road, Kensington, London SW7 2DD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising

<div class='contentField'><p>Reveals how we lived and shopped from Victorian times to the present day – packaging, ads, fads and fashion.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>111-117 Lancaster Rd, London W11 1QT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.museumofbrands.com/">Read more</a></div>

Design Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>European Museum of the Year 2018, this is the world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from architecture and fashion to graphics, product and digital design.</p> <p>Image <font color="#000000">© </font><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif;"><font color="#000000">Gareth Gardner</font></span></span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.designmuseum.org">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Palace

<div class='contentField'><p>A royal palace since 1760, it was the birthplace of&nbsp;Queen Victoria and she&nbsp;lived there until her accession in 1837. Diana, Princess of Wales, lived in part of the private apartments and her sons live here now.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p><span class="widget-pane-link" jsan="7.widget-pane-link" jstcache="676">Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/">Read more</a></div>

National Army Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>A leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.nam.ac.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Leighton House and Sambourne House

<div class='contentField'><p>Leighton House and Sambourne are two extraordinary artists houses in our borough. Explore its unique interiors, collections and join the events programme for all.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>12 Holland Park Rd, Kensington, London W14 8LZ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/">Read more</a></div>

18 Stafford Terrace

<div class='contentField'><p>Originally the family home of ‘Punch’ magazine cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne this is a unique example of a late Victorian townhouse with almost all of its original furniture and fittings.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington, W8 7BH</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/museums/18staffordterrace1.aspx">Read more</a></div>

Bluebird Restaurant

<div class='contentField'><p>Modern European restaurant in a converted art deco garage.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>350 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5UU</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Bibendum

<div class='contentField'><p>French restaurant in the Michelin Building. Bibendum is the name of the Michelin man.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Michelin House, 81 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 6RD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://bibendum.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Maggie Jones

<div class='contentField'><p>A favourite of the late Princess Margaret – hence the name</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>6 Old Ct Pl, Kensington, London W8 4PL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.maggie-jones.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Place

<div class='contentField'><p>Fish restaurant and shop</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>201-209 Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 7LX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.kensingtonplace-restaurant.co.uk/at/">Read more</a></div>

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

<div class='contentField'><p>Relaxed all day dining</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>195 -197 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EQ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://theivychelseagarden.com/">Read more</a></div>

Colbert

<div class='contentField'><p>French style bistro</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>50-52 Sloane Square, Chelsea, London SW1W 8AX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.colbertchelsea.com/">Read more</a></div>

Kipferl

<div class='contentField'><p>Austrian coffee house and restaurant</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>95 Golborne Rd, London W10 5NL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.kipferl.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Fish restaurant and shop

<div class='contentField'><p>Kensington Place, 201 Kensington Church St, London, W8 7LX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.kensingtonplace-restaurant.co.uk/at/">Read more</a></div>

Sloane Place Restaurant

<div class='contentField'><p>Relaxed all-day eating and drinking.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.sloaneplace.com/restaurant-bar/">Read more</a></div>

Panella

<div class='contentField'><p>Panella London is the creation of a married couple hailing from Palermo, serving Sicilian cuisine that reflects its rich and&nbsp;varied heritage.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://panellalondon.com/">Read more</a></div>

Clarendon Cross

<div class='contentField'><p>Boutiques, restaurants,&nbsp;pampering and pets</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Clarendon Cross, W11 4AP</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/clarendon-cross" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>

Earl's Court

<div class='contentField'><p>Restaurants, cafes, pubs and fast food take aways. The area is undergoing significant change as the Exhibition Centre is redeveloped.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Earls Court, London SW5 9RF</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://theearlscourtdevelopmentcompany.com/">Read more</a></div>

Notting Hill Gate

<div class='contentField'><p>Boutiques and vintage clothing, antiques, cafes and restaurants.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p><span class="widget-pane-link" jsan="7.widget-pane-link" jstcache="676">London W11 3JS</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/notting-hill-gate" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>

Pavilion Road

<div class='contentField'><p>Artisan food and drink street</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea, London SW1X 0BP</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.inchelsea.co.uk/pavilionroad/">Read more</a></div>

Thackeray Street

<div class='contentField'><p>Eclectic mix of galleries, restaurants, cafes and specialist shops</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Kensington, London W8 5ET</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/thackeray-street" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>

Stratford Road

<div class='contentField'><p>Offering specialist retailers, restaurants and cafes.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Kensington, London W8 6QD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/stratford-road" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>

Holland Street / Kensington Church Walk

<div class='contentField'><p>Two tucked away streets of tiny boutiques and specialist shops.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Kensington, London W8 4NB</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/holland-street-kensington-church-walk" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>