The elegant streets of South Kensington are home to some of the finest museums in the world - Science, Natural History, the Victoria & Albert - all nearby; and for music lovers, the glorious Royal Albert Hall is also in the area.

South Kensington is also close to Harrods, plus the many restaurants and antique markets, pubs, cafes and the delightful backwaters and exclusive shopping facilities of Chelsea and Knightsbridge, which is why the area is always full of countless tourists.

The London Oratory on Brompton Road is an extraordinary Roman Catholic church which is actually the London Oratory, but it is more commonly, though inaccurately, called the Brompton Oratory. The structure was begun in 1878 and the remarkable dome completed by 1896 in flamboyant Baroque style. The nave is exceeded in width only by Westminster Abbey and York Minster.

The Albert Memorial, Queen Victoria's memorial to her beloved consort, sits at the Coalbrookdale Gates to Kensington Gardens. The statue of Prince Albert looks upon the South Kensington cultural centre, the lasting legacy of Albert's grand project.

The Royal Albert Hall is a popular venue for headline performers. Typical events include ballet, concerts, opera and top pop or rock music performers.

The Victoria & Albert Museum contains decorative arts, including furniture, jewellery, carpets, sculpture, reliquaries, prints, Dress Collection, and so much more. Free guided tours are available at one of the world's great museums. The V&A houses 7 miles of exhibit space, containing a collection of over 4 million objects drawn from 5,000 years of cultural history. The V&A is the jewel in the crown of London's famous South Kensington cultural area and a 'must-see' on every London itinerary.

The Science Museum features engineering, technology, industry, children's gallery, working models, rail transport, astronomy, and much, much more. Hands-on exhibits teach the fundamentals of science without appearing to teach.

The Natural History Museum was originally part of the British Museum. The collection grew so large it required a separate identity. Dinosaur skeletons, fossils, human biology, Britain's major habitats examined, and the ever-popular Creepy Crawlies exhibit are all featured.

South Kensington Palace State Apartments are located at South Kensington Gardens. South Kensington Gardens was once a part of Hyde Park, until William VI enclosed it to become the gardens for South Kensington Palace to the west. The gardens are more formal and orderly than Hyde Park, with a sunken garden and a rectangular pond by the palace. By Long Water is a statue of Peter Pan, whose author, JM Barrie, donated the children's swings nearby.

Kensington Palace is a delightful royal residence on a domestic scale, still in use by members of the royal family. Diana, Princess of Wales lived here as did Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister. The first-floor state apartments are open to the public, and the audio guide, provided free of charge, evokes 17th-18th century court life. Rooms on the ground floor have a collection of royal costumes, including those belonging to Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. 

This is one of the more exclusive neighbourhoods in London, the kind of place where, if you have to ask how much a townhouse is selling for, you can't afford it. This region offers a good mix of serviced apartments from budget to luxury.

SOUTH KENSINGTON RESTAURANTS

ZUMA - 5 Raphael Street, London, SW7 - Tel: (0)20 7584 1010 - Cuisine: Japanese/Modern

TEXAS LONE STAR - 154 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 - Tel: (0)20 7370 5625 - Cuisine: Mexican

TOOTSIE’S - 107 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 - Tel: (0)20 7581 8942 - Cuisine: American/Grill