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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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>
Portobello Road
<div class='contentField'><p>The Blue Lamp (1950), Otley (1968), Notting Hill (1999) Paddington (2014) & Paddington 2 (2017)</p>
<p>Image © Gunwoo Kim</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>Notting Hill, London W11 1LT</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/portobello-road-1" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>
Holland Park
<div class='contentField'><p>Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010)</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>Ilchester Pl, Kensington, London W8 6LU</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/holland-park" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>
Trellick Tower
<div class='contentField'><p>Burning an Illusion (1981), For Queen and Country (1988), London Kills Me (1991), Shopping (1994), Never Let Me Go (2010) & Brotherhood (2016).</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>5 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PA</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/trellick-tower" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>
King's Road
<div class='contentField'><p>Clockwork Orange (1971)</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/kings-road" hreflang="en">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:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",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>