Things To Do in Kensington: Your Ultimate Cultural Guide

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller to London, Kensington never fails to delight and impress. This well-heeled central London borough – home to pop stars, ambassadors and royalty – is packed with tourist attractions and great shopping. Here, cultural experiences, eye-catching historical landmarks and beautiful parks all jostle for space on your itinerary. And when you need to take a break from sightseeing, choose from a host of dining options: cute cafés for a quick pick-me-up or stylish restaurants for a delicious meal with all the trimmings. Discover the inside scoop on the eight best things to see and do in Kensington.

No stay in Kensington would be complete without a visit to the Natural History Museum. The NHM is a world-class attraction and perhaps one of the best of its kind in the world. Trace the story of our planet here, from dinosaurs all the way to space research, and everything in between. Even the building itself is impressive – a marriage of Gothic Revival and 12-century Romanesque architecture, with terracotta gargoyles, soaring vaulted ceilings and ornate columns. With an ever-changing programme of temporary exhibitions – including the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase – you’ll have reason to return time and time again.

• Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD. Open daily 10am-5:50pm. Transport: South Kensington tube (Circle Line, District Line, Piccadilly Line). Free to enter, but you’ll need to book a timed entry slot.

Just across Exhibition Road from the NHM, the V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, with a permanent collection of over 2 million objects, some up to 5,000 years old. Wander amid ancient Chinese ceramics, medieval treasures, Renaissance sculptures and much more. Not sure where to start? The museum has curated a range of thematic trails for visitors to follow, including collection highlights and family routes, plus more specialised ones like African fashion and LGBTQ history. Find them online or ask one of the friendly museum guides. Stop for coffee and cake in their opulent café, and don’t miss the Dale Chihuly sculpture – a glass extravagance in blues and greens – dominating the foyer near the Cromwell Road entrance.

• Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL. Open Sat-Thur 10am-5:45pm, Fri 10am-10pm. Transport: South Kensington tube (Circle Line, District Line, Piccadilly Line). Free to enter.

Rounding off this trio of must-see attractions is the Science Museum. With plenty of hands-on exhibits, plus an IMAX theatre and regular science demos, this is one of the most interesting things to do in Kensington for kids and nerdy adults alike. The ground level, home to locomotives, space exhibits and vintage cars, tends to be the most popular area, so dodge the crowds by exploring the first and second floors, where you’ll find fascinating displays of clocks, computers, medical oddities and more. The regular Astronights event, for kids aged 7 to 11 and their parents or guardians, is a fun sleepover with workshops and activities, but if you prefer to stay in style instead, the opulent Raffles London at The OWO is just a stone’s throw away.

• Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD. Open daily 10am-6pm. Transport: South Kensington tube (Circle Line, District Line, Piccadilly Line). Free to enter, but you’ll need to book a timed entry slot.

Kensington Gardens is brimming with monuments and statues, as well as a small art gallery and plenty of beautifully kept green space to explore. The park is free to visit and is the perfect backdrop for a stroll at any time of year. Stop to gaze at the Albert Memorial, one of the city’s most intricate monuments, commemorating the death of Queen Victoria’s beloved husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. This Gothic Revival pavilion features a gilt bronze statue surrounded by sculptures, mosaics and other decorative artworks. If you walk east, you might find yourself in Hyde Park, a Grade I-listed green space that hosts a summer music festival and a Christmas winter wonderland.

• Transport: Queensway tube (Central Line), Lancaster Gate tube (Central Line) or Bayswater tube (Circle Line, District Line).

Walk in the footsteps of Queen Victoria herself, who was born and raised here. Learn about her childhood, see a dollhouse she once played with and find out about her reign as queen and empress. Marvel at the opulence of the state apartments, home to numerous sculptures and works of art, and where monarchs received guests and threw grand parties. Tickets are on the pricey side, but the expertly curated exhibits and calm, genteel ambiance make the experience worthwhile. Kensington Palace is also the official London home of the Prince and Princess of Wales, but you’re unlikely to see them as they’re mainly based in Windsor.

• Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX. Open Wed-Sat 10am-6pm. Tickets £24 (adults), £12 (under 16s). Transport: Queensway tube (Central Line) or Bayswater tube (Circle Line, District Line).

This relative newbie on Kensington’s museum scene is dedicated to contemporary design. You never know what you might find here, as the exhibitions are constantly changing, with a mix of free and paid displays. Past exhibitions have included the works of artist Ai Weiwei and designer Sir Terence Conran, plus thematic displays on football, email and London fashion. Looking to stay somewhere equally contemporary? Mercure London Earls Court offers minimalist, thoughtfully designed rooms inspired by west London's rich culture.

• 224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG. Open Mon-Thur 10am-5pm, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm. Free to enter. Transport: High Street Kensington tube (Circle Line, District Line), Kensington Olympia (Overground, District Line).

Grade II-listed 18 Stafford Terrace was once the home of cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, who worked for the satirical magazine Punch. It’s a rare example of the Aesthetic style, a late 19th-century movement that saw furnishings as artworks in their own right. Here, you’ll find Japanese embossed wallpapers, intricately carved furniture, Chinese vases and hundreds of framed pictures. If period homes are your passion, don’t miss Leighton House, a short walk west down Kensington High Street. The home and studio of Victorian artist Lord Leighton, it’s known for its Arab Hall, an ornate room decorated with blue-and-white Damascan tiles topped by a golden mosaic frieze that was shipped in from Venice.

• 18 Stafford Terrace, London W8 7BH. Open Wed-Sun 10am-5:30pm. Tickets £12 (adults), £5 (children 6-18). Transport: High Street Kensington tube (Circle Line, District Line).

The borough’s main shopping street, this buzzy road features a range of boutiques from high street to high end, plus cafés and restaurants. Whether you’re shopping or simply browsing, it’s worth a stroll along here to soak in the local vibe. And if you need somewhere quiet to recharge, stop in the Kensington Central Library to read, sketch or just chill.

• Transport: High Street Kensington tube (Circle Line, District Line).

You’ll definitely need more than a day to explore Kensington to the max, but when you’re done, check out this list of things to do in London for even more unique experiences.