South Kensington Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

London Natural History Museum featuring heritage elements, interior views and heritage architecture
Victoria and Albert Museum showing heritage elements
Victoria and Albert Museum which includes heritage architecture
Victoria and Albert Museum showing interior views, heritage elements and heritage architecture
London Natural History Museum which includes heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and interior views

Some of the best free museum exhibitions in London, a world-famous concert hall and delightful pockets of greenery await in this upmarket neighbourhood.

Home to museums dedicated to art, natural history and science, South Kensington is one of London’s busiest areas. Refined and architecturally impressive South Kensington was born in the 1850s, when Prince Albert had a vision to establish a district for the arts and education. Visit South Kensington to browse superb free exhibitions, attend a concert and relax in pretty parks.

Tourists and locals alike flock to the Natural History Museum, which celebrates Earth’s fascinating biology and geology. Discover dinosaur skeletons, experience an earthquake and observe taxidermy displays of curious creatures. See an 82-feet (25-metre) long whale skeleton and a 1,400-pound (635-kilogram) meteorite. Outside, thousands of native animal, insect and plant species thrive in the Wildlife Garden.

The hands-on and educational exhibits of the Science Museum cater to visitors of all ages. Witness a simulated rocket launch, see revolutionary aircraft, automobiles and locomotives and find an interactive play area geared toward children under the age of 5. Over 5,000 years of worldwide art and design are on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Highlights range from paintings by Botticelli and Raphael to Alexander McQueen dresses and ancient Chinese ceramics.

Book tickets for classical recitals, ballets, operas, jazz, pop and rock concerts at the resplendent Victorian-era Royal Albert Hall. Music legends the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Pink Floyd have all graced the stage. Guided tours takes you behind-the-scenes of this iconic concert hall. Uncover emerging artists via exhibitions at the Royal College of Art.

A varied culinary scene comes to life at the fast food joints and restaurants on Old Brompton Road. Sample Argentine steaks, gourmet burgers, Lebanese mezze dishes and Italian flatbread sandwiches.

Green spaces are never far away from the area’s attractions. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are two of London’s glorious eight Royal Parks.

South Kensington is part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in central London. Travel here by taking the London Underground to the Gloucester Road and South Kensington stations. Belgravia, Chelsea and Knightsbridge are some nearby districts.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best South Kensington Hotel Deals

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London Kensington, Curio Collection by Hilton

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London Kensington, Curio Collection by Hilton

5 out of 5
100 Queens Gate, South Kensington, London, England
The price is AU$399 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$399
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (929 reviews)
"clean room"

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London Kensington, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

4 out of 5
140 Gloucester Road, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$343 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$343
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,150 reviews)
"Clean room with great space"

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington

4 out of 5
68-86 Cromwell Road, London, England
The price is AU$316 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$316
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,021 reviews)
"The staff errr helpful and friendly. Great breakfast and a nice bar."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington
The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place, Kensington, London, England
The price is AU$415 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$415
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 24-hour room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,120 reviews)
"Nice breakfast"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

The Rembrandt
Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London

Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London

4 out of 5
4-18 Harrington Gardens, London, England
The price is AU$216 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$216
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,085 reviews)
"Nice place comfortable beds, good showrr pressure and roomy. Staff cared and it shows."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London
K Hotel Kensington

K Hotel Kensington

3.5 out of 5
131-137 Cromwell Road, Kensington, London, England
The price is AU$164 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$164
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (722 reviews)
"The rooms were small but clean and well equipped. The staff on the whole looked after us well. The shops and dining were easily accessible and transport was convenient, also easy to walk around"

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

K Hotel Kensington
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around South Kensington

Chelsea featuring heritage architecture

Chelsea

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

Museums, theatres and shopping are just a few things travellers like about Chelsea. Sights like Royal Hospital Chelsea and Saatchi Gallery are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater London area at Sloane Square Underground Station.

Chelsea
Kensington Gardens showing a garden

Kensington

4.5/5(365 area reviews)

Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street are a few top attractions in Kensington. Hop around the city on the metro at High Street Kensington Station or Notting Hill Gate Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, beautiful gardens and charming cafes.

Kensington
Paddington featuring a city and a square or plaza

Paddington

Paddington Central and The Grosvenor Victoria Casino London are top sights in Paddington, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Paddington Underground Station or Edgware Road (Bakerloo) Underground Station to see more sights in the area.

Paddington
Admiralty Arch which includes heritage architecture

City of Westminster

4.5/5(470 area reviews)

Big Ben and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in City of Westminster. Hop around the city on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station or Victoria Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

City of Westminster
Mayfair

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Bond Street.

Mayfair
Victoria showing a city and heritage architecture

Westminster

While you're in Westminster, take in top sights like Big Ben and jump on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station to see more of the city.

Westminster


South Kensington Travel Guide

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