Belgravia : book your hotel

Belgravia is an elegant London neighbourhood famous for beautiful townhouses, gardens and national embassies. It’s part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, a must-visit if you’re exploring Central London.

Belgravia is famously one of the most affluent parts of London, where impossibly pricey townhouses are some of the most luxurious in the world. These multi million pound homes mean the neighbourhood streets are pristine. At the same time, the area's coffee shops, restaurants and pubs are attractive spots to stop and soak it in.

Sir Thomas Grosvenor became the owner of the Manor of Ebury in 1677, an area spanning modern day Belgravia, [Mayfair](https://all.accor.com/gb/place/hotels mayfair ci2853 v2352.shtml) and [Pimlico](https://all.accor.com/gb/place/hotels pimlico ci2843 v2352.shtml). In the mid 1820s, he started developing the estate. Grosvenor also held the title of Viscount Belgrave, so the central square in the newly developed area was called Belgrave Square. This is also where the name Belgravia comes from. The area was developed in a grand style, and many of the Belgravia buildings are still uniform today. As well as providing homes for wealthy residents, Belgravia houses many foreign embassies, particularly around Belgrave Square.

Belgrave Square is a 19^th^ century garden square at the heart of Belgravia. It's lined with flagged foreign embassies with white stucco fronts, a sight worth seeing while exploring the area. Wander around the edge of the square and spot embassies, testing your world knowledge by guessing which flags represent which nation.

This beautiful 950 seat concert hall sits on Sloane Terrace, a perfect spot for an evening of entertainment if you're in the Belgravia area. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are residents here, so try to catch a performance during your visit. If not, there are many more magnificent things to see at the venue – take a look at what's on and plan your trip.

Once known as Belgravia Theatre, this writers' theatre showcases the works of new and celebrated performance writers. It's a must visit for theatre lovers in London, where you might catch the next big thing before anyone else. Backstage tours are also available, letting you learn more about the historic venue when you visit.

The Saatchi Gallery has been famous for showcasing contemporary exhibitions since opening in 1985. You can find it in Chelsea's Duke of York Square, a stylish shopping and dining hub in a beautiful part of London. The gallery is known for discovering emerging artists, often hosting shows built around current themes. Special exhibition ticket prices cost £15, while free exhibitions often occupy the ground floor and don't need to be booked in advance. The Saatchi Gallery is open from 10am to 6pm daily.

For a breath of fresh air during your time in Belgravia, you can't beat Buckingham Palace Garden. This is the most extensive private garden in the capital, spanning 17 hectares of the City of Westminster and home to hundreds of plants and wildlife species. Access to Buckingham Palace Garden is available exclusively for tour ticket holders from July to October. Online tickets also gain you access to Buckingham Palace! Explore the magnificent State Rooms before heading outside to enjoy the gardens, where the late Queen Elizabeth II held her famous annual garden parties.

The Wellington Arch is another London landmark near Belgravia. The arch was commissioned as an entrance to Buckingham Palace. After funding and design disputes, it was eventually completed as a monument to the Duke of Wellington for his triumph at Waterloo. As well as a decorative triumphal arch, the Wellington Arch has been used as a police station and park keeper's residence. In 2000, English Heritage took responsibility and converted the inside into an exhibition space. Book tickets to explore the interior online, or view the Wellington Arch from the outside and enjoy the intricate details of this storied monument.

Whatever you're doing in London, you'll want to have a few local food spots and pubs in mind to make your days more rewarding. Belgravia is home to many unique eateries, traditional pubs and beautiful bars. Remember a couple of names to make stumbling on them a treat, or make reservations online to avoid disappointment.