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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>

Harrods

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Iconic upmarket department store </span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/">Read more</a></div>

Beauchamp Place

<div class='contentField'><p>Beauchamp Place (pronounced Beecham) is a charming Victorian street of boutiques and restaurants</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea, London SW3 1NY</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://beauchamp-place.com/">Read more</a></div>

Harvey Nichols

<div class='contentField'><p>Harvey Nichols the UK’s premier luxury fashion retailer stocking cutting edge designer brands.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>109-125 Knightsbridge, Belgravia, London SW1X 7RJ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.harveynichols.com/store/knightsbridge/">Read more</a></div>

Divertimenti

<div class='contentField'><p>The ultimate Cookshop offering professional quality cookware and tableware, utensils and electricals<font size="2">.</font></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>227-229 Brompton Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 2EP</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.divertimenti.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Peter Jones

<div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea’s department store, part of the John Lewis Partnership, stands at the beginning of King’s Road.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Sloane Square, Chelsea, London SW1W 8EL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.johnlewis.com/our-shops/peter-jones">Read more</a></div>

Antikbar

<div class='contentField'><p>Original vintage posters</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>404 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW10 0LJ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.antikbar.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Trotters

<div class='contentField'><p>Family owned business providing stylish /traditional children’s clothing.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>34 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4UD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.trotters.co.uk/pages/kings-road-store">Read more</a></div>

Designers Guild

<div class='contentField'><p>Flagship store offering furnishing fabrics, wallcoverings, upholstery and bed and bath collections worldwide.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EN</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.designersguild.com/">Read more</a></div>

Anthropologie

<div class='contentField'><p>Women’s clothing, accessories and home décor.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>131-141 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4PW</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/stores/kings-rd-london">Read more</a></div>

Haines of Sloane Square

<div class='contentField'><p>London’s oldest news kiosk it’s been run by the same family for over 125 years, currently occupying a kiosk designed by Thomas Heatherwick.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Sloane Square, Chelsea, London SW1W 8AL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://hainesofsloanesquare.com/">Read more</a></div>

King's Road Curve

<div class='contentField'><p>Details of events in the smaller independent shops, art galleries, restaurants and bars at the western end of King’s Road.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea, London SW10 0LJ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://kingsroadcurve.wixsite.com/london">Read more</a></div>

Baar & Bass

<div class='contentField'><p>Luxury fashion and lifestyle boutique.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://baarandbass.com/">Read more</a></div>

Cadogan Hall

<div class='contentField'><p>Home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is one of London’s leading concert venues. It offers a programme of live events ranging from classical to jazz, rock and pop.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>5 Sloane Terrace, Belgravia, London SW1X 9DQ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.cadoganhall.com/">Read more</a></div>

Investec Opera Holland Park

<div class='contentField'><p>A unique opera company that presents an open air summer season under a temporary canopy in Holland Park. Around six different operas are presented every season. Many are famous classics, but the company often stages less well known works.</p> <p>Image Anne Sophie Duprels as Zazà and Joel Montero as Milio in Opera Holland Park 2017 production of Zazà © Robert Workman for Opera Holland Park.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Opera Holland Park Theatre, Ilchester Pl, Kensington, London W8 6LU</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.operahollandpark.com/">Read more</a></div>

Electric Cinema

<div class='contentField'><p>One of London’s oldest cinemas, with luxurious leather chairs, sofas and beds.</p> <p>Image © Soho House Electric Cinema 1607 AB LR 002</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>191 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 2ED</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.electriccinema.co.uk/portobello">Read more</a></div>

Gate Cinema

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Atmospheric, Grade II listed, single screen cinema.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>87 Notting Hill Gate, Kensington, London W11 3JZ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse">Read more</a></div>

Whole Foods Market

<div class='contentField'><p>Their largest store with a food court upstairs, hosts a range of events and tastings.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>63-97 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 5SE</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/o/whole-foods-market-uk-15888761191">Read more</a></div>

Snow and Rock

<div class='contentField'><p>Specialists in outdoor and winter sports clothing and equipment.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>188 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 7RG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.snowandrock.com/stores/london-kensington.html">Read more</a></div>

Trailfinders

<div class='contentField'><p>The UK’s largest independent travel company has a ‘drop–in’ travel clinic offering travel health advice and vaccinations.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>194 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 7RG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.trailfinders.com/travel-centre/khs">Read more</a></div>

Cass Art

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Staffed by artists, offering artist’s materials, workshops, events and advice on creative projects.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>220 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 7RG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.cassart.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Waterstones

<div class='contentField'><p>Literary&nbsp;haven for locals and visitors.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>193 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 6SH</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/kensington">Read more</a></div>

Guru Makeup Emporium

<div class='contentField'><p>Run by professional makeup artists supplying the TV, film, fashion and theatre industries and sharing their expertise with the public.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>12 Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 4EP</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.gurumakeupemporium.com/">Read more</a></div>

Japan House Creative Crossing

<div class='contentField'><p>This creative crossing is designed by Kenya Hara for Japan House London. It takes inspiration from the character 'one' in Japanese and celebrates a refined subtlety and particular Japanese sense of beauty. It is part of the Council's Creative Kensington High Street project delivered in partnership with the Kensington Business Forum.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/japan-house-creative-crossing" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>