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.
Natural History Museum
The museum’s collections promote the whole of the natural world, but for most visitors it’s about the dinosaurs.
Image © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London [2018]. All rights. reserved
Leighton House and Sambourne House
Leighton House and Sambourne are two extraordinary artists houses in our borough. Explore its unique interiors, collections and join the events programme for all.
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.
Shopping
Shopping
Our shopping centres range from international destinations to smaller, more quirky local centres and street markets.
Eat and drink
Where to Stay
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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>
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 © 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 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>
Michael Hoppen Gallery
<div class='contentField'><p><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-themecolor: text1;">One of the foremost collections of photography available to buy in Europe. </span></p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.michaelhoppengallery.com/">Read more</a></div>
Chelsea Flower Show
<div class='contentField'><p>The world’s most famous flower show. It’s the fashion show of gardening, an 11-acre display of flowers and show gardens.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>The Royal Hospital, Chelsea</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show">Read more</a></div>
Discover South Kensington
<div class='contentField'><p>Find out what's on in all the museums and institutions in Exhibition Road.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.discoversouthken.com/">Read more</a></div>
Saatchi Gallery
<div class='contentField'><p>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.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.saatchigallery.com/">Read more</a></div>
Graffik Gallery
<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Specialising in street art.</span></p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>284 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TE</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://graffikgallery.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>
Mosaic Rooms
<div class='contentField'><p>Art gallery and <a href="http://mosaicrooms.wpengine.com/category/shop/">bookshop</a> supporting and promoting contemporary Arab culture in London.</p>
<p>Image © Andy Stagg</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>Tower House, 226 Cromwell Rd, Kensington, London SW5 0SW</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://mosaicrooms.org/">Read more</a></div>
Royal Society of Sculptors
<div class='contentField'><p>Provides exhibitions, artists’ talks and creative workshops.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>Dora House, 108 Old Brompton Rd, London SW7 3RA</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://sculptors.org.uk/royal-society-sculptors">Read more</a></div>
Westbank Gallery
<div class='contentField'><p>Contemporary art gallery, bar, event space, nightclub.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>Notting Hill, 3-5 Thorpe Cl, London W10 5XL</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://londonwestbank.com/">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>