South Kensington Travel Guide

London

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

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

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-meter) 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


Top hotels in South Kensington

The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place, Kensington, London, England
The price is ₹18,673 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹18,673
₹22,407 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,028 reviews)
Great hotel!
"This was my second stay at this hotel and as always, everything and everyone was amazing. One slight issue with loose fittings in my shower head, but it was repaired promptly. The staff was friendly, the room was perfect, breakfast was a dream, and the lounge, very comfortable. As with any hotel, ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

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

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

5 out of 5
100 Queens Gate, South Kensington, London, England
The price is ₹16,533 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹16,533
₹19,840 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (891 reviews)
Really nice comfortable well placed hotel.
"A really nice comfortable hotel. The rooms are nice . Staff were friendly and efficient . The breakfast is highly recommended. In a great position for attractions such as museums and short walk to Harrods etc."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London, 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
The price is ₹18,352 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
₹18,352
₹22,022 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,057 reviews)
"Excellent Stay – Perfect Location for First-Time Visitors! We recently stayed at this hotel during our first trip to London, and it couldn’t have been a better choice. The location was absolutely ideal—just steps away from the Gloucester Road Underground station, which made getting around the city ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
Park International Hotel

Park International Hotel

4 out of 5
117 - 129 Cromwell Road, London, England
The price is ₹12,545 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹12,545
₹15,054 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,115 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, with great staff. Very convenient neighbourhood. Recommendable."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Park International Hotel
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 ₹12,079 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹12,079
₹14,495 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,059 reviews)
Great Place to Stay with Great Transport Links
"The hotel was excellent and the staff are so friendly and helpful. Any questions we had were promptly answered or dealt with. We will definitely stay here again. On the reception Nefmi and Arushi went out of their way to help us and it was very much appreciated."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London
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 ₹14,880 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹14,880
₹17,856 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Great location, friendly and helpful staff. Limited working outlets in our room but manageable."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South 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(132 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 featuring a park

Kensington

4.5/5(1,515 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 showing 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 showing heritage architecture

City of Westminster

4.5/5(2,564 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