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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>

The Cross

<div class='contentField'><p>One of the first London lifestyle boutiques, selling a mix of fashion, homeware, gifts and kidswear.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>141 Portland Rd, London W11 4LR</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.thecrossshop.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

John Sandoe Books

<div class='contentField'><p>Independent bookseller</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>10 Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London SW3 2SR</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.johnsandoe.com/">Read more</a></div>

Skillman and Sons

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Traditional hardware store</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>212 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 7RG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.skillmanandsons.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Bourbon Hanby

<div class='contentField'><p>Antiques emporium on King’s Road</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>151 Sydney St, Chelsea, London SW3 6NT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.bourbonhanby.com/">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Church Street Antiques Dealers

<div class='contentField'><p>Index of the dealers, events and exhibitions.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Kensington Church Street, W8 4BH</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.antiques-london.com/">Read more</a></div>

Lidgate

<div class='contentField'><p>5th generation family butchers</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>110 Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UA</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.lidgates.com/">Read more</a></div>

Portobello Road Antiques Dealers

<div class='contentField'><p>Located at the southern end of Portobello Road, some of the shops are actually extensive arcades with many individual dealers.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>111 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QB</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.antiquesportobelloroad.com/">Read more</a></div>

Goldfinger Factory

<div class='contentField'><p>A design-led social enterprise that crafts sustainable high quality furniture and objects with a teaching academy for the local community.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.goldfingerfactory.com/">Read more</a></div>

Blanco & Gomez Wine Merchants

<div class='contentField'><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Independent World’s End wine merchants carrying wines from all over the world with a particular fondness for wines from lesser known grapes and regions. Most wines are from small producers who follow sustainable processes, some are certified organic and even biodynamic.</span></span></span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.bgwm.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Central Library

<div class='contentField'><p>The Borough’s main public library provides extensive facilities and services including large local studies and biography sections. It holds regular events and activities and provides free internet and WiFi.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>12 Phillimore Walk, Kensington, London W8 7RX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>

Chelsea Library

<div class='contentField'><p>In addition to the expected services and facilities this library has co-working space and an extensive costume and fashion collection reflecting the major fashion movements that started in the King’s Road. It is the only library in the borough open on Sundays.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EZ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>

Brompton Library

<div class='contentField'><p>In addition to the expected services and facilities, the library has community space available for hire and co-working space for small businesses.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>210 Old Brompton Rd, Kensington, London SW5 0BS</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>

Kensal Library

<div class='contentField'><p>Much used by children, this is a true community library holding popular health and hobbies events as well as offering public internet and WiFi.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>20 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PF</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>

North Kensington Library

<div class='contentField'><p>London’s oldest library has a thriving children’s library on the lower ground floor, a dedicated IT suite on the first floor with study space, all the expected library services, and a well-used space for community organisations and adult learning.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>108 Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 1PZ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>

Notting Hill Gate Library

<div class='contentField'><p>Just opposite the start of the Portobello Road market, the library offers a selection of services and facilities, free internet and WiFi, and limited study space. There is co-working space in the basement.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>1 Pembridge Square, Notting Hill, London W2 4EW</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>