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Kensington is one of the most fashionable districts in London, well known as both an exclusive residential and excellent shopping area. It is situated to the east of Hyde Park.
A chic paradise for shoppers and royal watchers, Kensington is home to a wealth of stores from high street clothes outlets to the fascinating antiques shops of Kensington Church Street. Turn right out of High Street Kensington tube station and a walk of just a few hundred yards will bring you to the gates of Kensington Palace. This was home to the late Diana Princess of Wales and is the current residence of the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret. Beyond the palace lies the delightful Kensington Gardens - the perfect setting for a picnic! Alternatively, stroll along the many beautiful mews or grand residential streets - find the very house where Agatha Christie penned some of here finest mysteries!
South Kensington is best visited from the tube station of the same name. Here you will find a collection of the world's finest museums - all virtually next to each other! You'll need more than a day to see them all, so choose carefully. The Victoria & Albert Museum has around 7 miles of corridors and houses a fascinating mix of collections from dresses to church pulpits! A little further down Cromwell Road, the Natural History Museum is one of the grandest buildings in London and will occupy anyone with even the vaguest interest in the natural world. Adjacent to this stands the Science Museum: a Pandora's Box of levers, switches, buttons and wizardry. It also has a superb collection of cars, trains, planes, boats, and even working steam engines!
Also not to be missed is the Royal Albert Hall, which is a grand and truly magnificent architectural and cultural gem. Although the hall is also host to numerous exhibitions, festivals and sports events, it is music that the Royal Albert Hall is now best known for. It is home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra who hold regular concerts, and lots of other music events take place each year.
Kensington's reputation as an exclusive residential district dates back to the 17th Century when King William III (1689-1702) moved to Kensington Palace to get away from the pollution of the Thames. And ever since it has been the residence of London's wealthier residents.
Famous residents of Kensington have included William Makepeace Thackery (author of Vanity Fair), Robert Baden-Powell (founder of the scout movement), Bela Bartok, Sir Winston Churchill, T.S. Elliot, Sir W.S. Gilbert, Henry James, Mohammed Ali Jinnah (founder of Pakistan), Jawarharial Nehru (the first Prime Minister of India) and the Earl and Viscount of Bradford.
KENSINGTON RESTAURANTS
BABYLON AT THE ROOF GARDENS - 7th Floor, 99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7368 3993 - Cuisine: Modern British
GEALES - 2 Farmer Street, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7727 7528 - Cuisine: Fish & Chips
LA CANDELA - 35 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7727 5452 - Cuisine: Italian
LAUNCESTON PLACE - Launceston Place, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7937 6912 - Cuisine: Modern British
STICKY FINGERS - 1A Phillimore Gardens, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7938 5338 - Cuisine: American
THE MALL TAVERN - 71-73 Palace Gardens Terrace, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7727 3805 - Cuisine: Gastropub
UTSAV - 17 Kensington High Street, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7368 0022 - Cuisine: Indian
WAGAMAMA KENSINGTON - 26A Kensington High Street, London, W8 - Tel: (0)20 7376 1717
Cuisine: Japanese
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