Arab Hall

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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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>

Gail's Bakery Kensington High Street

<div class='contentField'><p>Neighbourhood bakery and café</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>240 - 242 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 6ND</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://gailsbread.co.uk/bakeries/high-street-kensington/">Read more</a></div>

Café Lisboa

<div class='contentField'><p>Authentic Portuguese café famous for its custard tarts</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>57 Golborne Rd, London W10 5NR</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/cafe-lisboa" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>

Hummingbird Bakery

<div class='contentField'><p>American cupcake specialist.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>133 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DY</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://hummingbirdbakery.com/pages/our-bakeries">Read more</a></div>

Peggy Porschen

<div class='contentField'><p>Celebrity cake maker's Chelsea parlour.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.peggyporschen.com/pages/the-parlour-in-chelsea">Read more</a></div>

Japan House

<div class='contentField'><p>A Japanese cultural centre on Kensington High Street, which is part of a global project led by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offering an exhibition gallery, events space, a Japanese restaurant and thoughtfully curated Japanese products.</p> <p>Image&nbsp;© Lee Mawdsley</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>101-111 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 5SA</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Royal Hospital Chelsea

<div class='contentField'><p>Home of the Chelsea Pensioners, the famous scarlet-coated veteran soldiers, for over 300 years. The Hospital is a grade&nbsp;I listed heritage site designed by Sir Christopher Wren and is open to visitors.</p> <p>Image © Royal Hospital Chelsea</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea Bridge Rd, Belgravia, London SW3 4SR</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/visit">Read more</a></div>

Chelsea Old Town Hall

<div class='contentField'><p>Grade II listed late Victorian building now used for a range of events and home to the iconic Chelsea Registry Office.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EE</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk">Read more</a></div>

French Institute

<div class='contentField'><p>Encourages cross-cultural exchange and presents the best of French culture, offering: French courses, film screenings, library collections, kids activities, festivals, talks and concerts.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>17 Queensbery Pl, Kensington, London SW7 2DT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Ismaili Centre

<div class='contentField'><p>Home to the UK Ismaili Muslim community. In addition to a central prayer hall the centre also hosts exhibitions.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>1-7 Cromwell Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 2SL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://the.ismaili/ismailicentres/london/architecture-london">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Town Hall

<div class='contentField'><p>Designed by Sir Basil Spence, the main Council Building is used for conferences and events as well as Council business.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Hornton St, Kensington, London W8 7NX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/">Read more</a></div>

St Mary Abbots

<div class='contentField'><p>Kensington’s ‘cathedral’ has the tallest church steeple in London, in addition to daily worship there are weekly concerts and regular talks and events.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 4LA</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.smaw8.org/">Read more</a></div>

The Brompton Oratory

<div class='contentField'><p>Home to the Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri in London, a community of priests founded in the sixteenth century. The Oratory also serves as a parish church in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RP</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.bromptonoratory.co.uk/#about">Read more</a></div>