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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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>
Kensington Central Library
<div class='contentField'><p>The Borough’s main public library provides extensive facilities and services including large local studies and biography sections. It holds regular events and activities and provides free internet and WiFi.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>12 Phillimore Walk, Kensington, London W8 7RX</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>
Chelsea Library
<div class='contentField'><p>In addition to the expected services and facilities this library has co-working space and an extensive costume and fashion collection reflecting the major fashion movements that started in the King’s Road. It is the only library in the borough open on Sundays.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EZ</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>
Brompton Library
<div class='contentField'><p>In addition to the expected services and facilities, the library has community space available for hire and co-working space for small businesses.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>210 Old Brompton Rd, Kensington, London SW5 0BS</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>
Kensal Library
<div class='contentField'><p>Much used by children, this is a true community library holding popular health and hobbies events as well as offering public internet and WiFi.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>20 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PF</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>
North Kensington Library
<div class='contentField'><p>London’s oldest library has a thriving children’s library on the lower ground floor, a dedicated IT suite on the first floor with study space, all the expected library services, and a well-used space for community organisations and adult learning.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>108 Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 1PZ</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">Read more</a></div>
Notting Hill Gate Library
<div class='contentField'><p>Just opposite the start of the Portobello Road market, the library offers a selection of services and facilities, free internet and WiFi, and limited study space. There is co-working space in the basement.</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><p>1 Pembridge Square, Notting Hill, London W2 4EW</p>
</div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries">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 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 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>