Kensington is one of the most affluent and picturesque areas of London, known for its beautiful architecture, world-class museums, and stunning parks. However, there are plenty of good deals and reasons to consider staying in Kensington during your next visit to London. You may find most London boroughs more expensive and less homey for tourist than Kensington.
Kensington is home to some of London's most famous museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum. These museums are all located near one another, and offer free entry to their permanent collections, making them a great option for budget-conscious travelers.
Charming Kensington is known for its stunning parks and gardens, including Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and Holland Park. These green spaces are perfect for a relaxing stroll or a picnic on a sunny day. You can tour Kensington Palace, which is adjacent to the gardens and is the home of William and Kate, the future King of England and his wife.
Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster and Abbey are a short 2 mile walk or a couple of tube stops away. If the weather is great, walk that direction through Hyde park and visit the Peter Pan Statue on the way to the Royal Albert Hall and Memorial, past Harrod's and Hyde Park Corner.
Make sure you walk through some of the smaller parks in the residential areas. You will discover the £25 million Georgian mansion of Freddie Mercury, where his girlfriend Mary Austin still lives today. Eric Clapton, Rowan Atkinson, Sir Richard Branson and many others still live in Kensington today. Also check out some of the mews which are very pretty, cobbled low traffic free streets found in the rear of a row of extravagant 18th & 19th Century mansions. Years ago, these roads were for access to the carriage house by coachmen and their horses.
Most importantly, Kensington offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from luxury hotels, budget-friendly hostels and even common known economy hotels. There are also plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars in the area, making it a great place to base yourself during your visit to London.
Most pubs serve delicious food on Sunday, traditionally known as the "Sunday Roast" or "Sunday Lunch" is not to be missed - especially in cooler months. Like many things in England, there is a standard, generally consisting of either celebrated roasted beef with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish, lamb and mint sauce, chicken and redcurrant jelly, or pork with apple sauce. The meal is rounded out with roasted potatoes, an assortment of roasted vegetables, and gravy from the roast. Wash it down with a local pint and you will have the makings of a very memorable experience.
Your just a quick Uber or Tube ride to Paddington Station if you are seeking the Heathrow Express, or slightly further if looking for Saint Pancras International Train Station if you are seeking the Eurostar Chunnel to Paris or Brussels. Earls Gate, Gloucester, Brompton, Kensington and South Kensington Subway Stations conveniently offer connections to the District, Piccadilly and Circle lines.
Overall, if you're looking for a beautiful and convenient location to stay during your next visit to London, Kensington is certainly worth considering.
