The Very Best Things To Do in Kensington

Visit the Natural History Museum

Kensington Museums really need no introduction, I mean could you even come to this part and London and not visit at least one of them? Spending a day admiring the unparalleled collections of the Natural History Museum is not only one of the best things to do in Kensington, but it’s one of the best in all of London! At over one-hundred years old and with a stunning selection of over eighty million historical artefacts, dinosaur remains and taxidermies, the museum is perhaps the world’s leading institution of research and preservation of historically important items. Its iconic main entrance can be found next to the V&A on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, and as if it couldn’t get any better, the Natural History is completely free to enter, so if you’re searching for some free things to do in London, then here it is.

Explore Kensington Palace

Taking a trip over Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens to the beautiful Kensington Palace has long been one of the most popular things to do in London, and it’s no surprise, the place is stunning. I mean where else can you walk down the same corridors as the Royal Family? The building itself is one of pure royal opulence, with an interior that feels as though you are on the set of a historic period drama with its grand collection of timely artworks and furniture. It’s one of the best ways to gain an insight into the lives of one of the world’s most famous family’s and costs just under twenty pounds to enter, although the Kensington Gardens are completely free to explore and just perfect for spending a warm sunny day ambling around. Highlights include the elegantly designed Italian Gardens, the iconic Serpentine and of course the Diana Memorial Fountain.

Have brunch at Kensington Place

There’s absolutely no shortage of restaurants in Kensington and pretty much everything from cheap eats all the way to the finest of dining can be found here, making it a great place for all you foodies out there! For this list, I’m choosing Kensington Place because it’s totally different to anything else in the area. Whilst you might expect to find mostly Victorian architecture around Kensington, Kensington Place is alternatively housed in a light-filled modern building where metal and glass are the primary materials. Of course, the food here is very good as well and has a strong emphasis on fish, although other dishes will be on offer and they’ll be just as tasty, believe me! One of the most popular things to do in London is to go for brunch, so why not come and try out their varied brunch menu that contains a variety of much-loved English favourites!

Get lost in Holland Park

Second only to Kensington Gardens in terms of popularity, Holland Park is a diverse parkland that I think has a more mysterious quality to it than its more famous neighbour. You’re so much more likely to stumble upon a strange sculpture hidden just out of sight or even an entire garden that can feel like it belongs to you and you alone. The Dutch Garden offers an intricately designed set of fountains, walkways and horticultural displays, whilst the Kyoto Garden is an absolute place of Zen amidst the city that surrounds it. Some of the best things to do in London are the ones where you’re not sure what you’re going to find next, and Holland Park is a great example of this. There are multiple sports facilities, cafes and beautiful wooded walks for you to enjoy, just make sure to explore every corner of it or you might just miss something!

Discover the Victoria and Albert Museum

Perhaps it’s somewhere like the richly artistic Bloomsbury that you would think of first for stunning galleries and creative culture, but it’s Kensington that possesses the most impressive of them all; the Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s one of the worlds largest collections of artworks and designs pieces on the planet and is one of many cultural institutions that Prince Albert founded in the 1800’s. Nowadays, the it’s still one of the top Kensington Museums, remaining one of the best places in London to learn about design via talks, workshops, exhibitions and courses. Everything from fashion, architecture, photography and engineering can be found inside the museum, so you’re always going to find something to enjoy, that’s for sure! Take a look on their website to get a better understanding of what’s on their upcoming calendar.

Enjoy mouth-watering Cupcakes at L’Eto Caffé

After a day exploring all of the Kensington museums and beautiful green spaces, you’re going to need to take a rest somewhere, and where better than a café that sells some of the most elegantly designed cakes you’ve ever seen? The treats in L’eto Caffé are the kind that will make you stop in the street and stare longingly through the window at them, there’s everything from cheesecakes, apple pies, parfaits and cupcakes - you name it, you’re going to find it here. It’s not just cakes though, there’s a full menu which includes a delicious breakfast selection of dishes from all across the globe, all of which are prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. It’s got an equally varied lunchtime menu, so if you’re looking for some restaurants in Kensington for a midday bite then you should definitely give this a go!

Shop Kensington Highstreet

Any list of what to do in Kensington, London would be incomplete without including the area’s beating heart; the Kensington Highstreet. It’s an energetic and vibrant arrangement of chic restaurants and cool bars alongside fashionable clothing brands, well worth spending an hour exploring to see which of eclectic range of shops take your fancy. Shopping in Kensington is definitely a real mix, you’re going to find some pretty high-end shops here as well as all of the chain stores that you love, not to mention food shops and outdoor shops as well! If you want a classy experience that you might expect to get in somewhere like the highly exclusive streets of Marylebone, then take a train to South Kensington’s Sloane Street, an exquisite collection of some of the most sought-after brands in the fashion world, absolutely perfect for spot of window shopping!