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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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Churchill Arms

<div class='contentField'><p>Dripping in flowers and filled with Churchill memorabilia.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>119 Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 7LN</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.churchillarmskensington.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Chelsea Potter

<div class='contentField'><p>Traditional pub and famous 60s hang out.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>119 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4PL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/chelsea-potter/">Read more</a></div>

Scarsdale Tavern

<div class='contentField'><p>Local gastro pub</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>23A Edwardes Square, Kensington, London W8 6HE</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.scarsdaletavern.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Hansom Cab

<div class='contentField'><p>Local beer house.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>84-86 Earls Ct Rd, Kensington, London W8 6EG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://thehansomcab.com/">Read more</a></div>

Sloane Place Bar

<div class='contentField'><p>Contemporary cocktail bar</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.sloaneplace.com/restaurant-bar/">Read more</a></div>

Royal Court Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p>Specialises in new work by innovative authors and regularly gets rave reviews. It has a large café bar underneath Sloane Square that’s open to non-theatre goers.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Sloane Square, Chelsea, London SW1W 8AS</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://royalcourttheatre.com/">Read more</a></div>

Chelsea Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p>Closed for refurbishment until 30 September 2019. Part of the World’s End estate, this small theatre is dedicated to fostering new voices, Live Art and community workshops, activities and events.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>7, World's End Place, Chelsea, London SW10 0DR</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.chelseatheatre.org.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Print Room Coronet Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p>Presents theatre, dance, concerts, art exhibitions and a variety of multidisciplinary collaborations.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>103 Notting Hill Gate, Kensington, London W11 3LB</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.the-print-room.org/">Read more</a></div>

Drayton Arms Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Professional fringe venue above the Drayton Arms pub.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>153 Old Brompton Rd, Kensington, London SW5 0LJ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.thedraytonarmstheatre.co.uk/index.php">Read more</a></div>

Finborough Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">This tiny fringe theatre rediscovers forgotten plays and premiers new work.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>118 Finborough Rd, Kensington, London SW10 9ED</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Gate Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p>Located over the Prince Albert pub, in Notting Hill Gate this is London's only producing theatre dedicated to international work.</p> <p>Image Effigies of Wickedness production © Helen Murray</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>11 Pembridge Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 3HQ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.gatetheatre.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

SPID Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p>SPID (Social Political Innovative Direct) is an award winning youth charity specialising in high quality community art on council estates.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Kensal House Community Rooms, Kensal House Estate, Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5BQ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://spidtheatre.com/">Read more</a></div>

Playground Theatre

<div class='contentField'><p>The Playground Theatre offers the latest drama, musical theatre, stand up comedians, festivals and performing arts.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.theplaygroundtheatre.london">Read more</a></div>

Michelin Building

<div class='contentField'><p>Former UK headquarters of the tyre company decorated with large stained glass windows and decorative tiles.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>81 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 6RD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://theargyllclub.com/office-locations/michelin-house">Read more</a></div>

Holy Trinity Sloane Square

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">A masterpiece of the Arts and Crafts movement.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Sloane St, Belgravia, London SW1X 9BZ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Crosby Hall

<div class='contentField'><p>The only surviving Medieval merchant’s house in London. Once the home of Richard III, as Duke of Gloucester, later owned by Sir Thomas More. The hall was moved, stone by stone, from Bishopsgate to Chelsea in 1910 to make way for development. It is now a private residence.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London SW3 5BB</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1358160">Read more</a></div>

Carlyle's House

<div class='contentField'><p>The former home of the Victorian historian and writer Thomas Carlyle. The house contains original furnishings, books, pictures and personal items. Open 2 March – 3 November in 2019.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>24 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, London SW3 5HL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carlyles-house">Read more</a></div>

Albert Bridge

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">London’s prettiest bridge, particularly at night.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Albert Bridge, London SW11 4PL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/parking-transport-and-streets/your-streets/streetscape/street-projects/albert-bridge-restoration">Read more</a></div>

Trellick Tower

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Erno Goldfinger’s iconic Brutalist apartment block.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>5 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PA</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1246688">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>

Ceramica Blue

<div class='contentField'><p>Unique tableware and cookware shop</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>10 Blenheim Cres, London W11 1NN</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.ceramicablue.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Sir Plus

<div class='contentField'><p>Menswear, mostly made in the UK. The proprietor started with a Portobello Market stall, which he still runs on Fridays and Saturdays outside his shop.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">306A Portobello Rd, London W10 5TA</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://sirplus.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Portobello Road

<div class='contentField'><p>The world’s best known street market operates mainly on Saturdays. The antiques section (stalls, arcades and shops) at the southern end of the market is the UK’s biggest antiques market. The new goods, fruit and vegetable section&nbsp;in the centre of the market, which operates Monday to Saturday (except Thursday afternoons), has lots of hot food stalls on Saturdays.</p> <p>Image © Gunwoo Kim</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>259 Portobello Rd, London W11 1LT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://visitportobello.com/">Read more</a></div>

Golborne Road Market

<div class='contentField'><p>Located at the northern end of Portobello Road. During the week the market offers mainly fruit, vegetables, takeaway food, and&nbsp;household goods. On Fridays and Saturdays the market comes alive with a busy second hand and bric-a-brac section.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Tavistock Rd, London W11 1AN</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://visitportobello.com/">Read more</a></div>