A royal village becomes a museum quarter
Kensington's royal story began when William III and Mary II bought a Jacobean mansion in 1689 and turned it into Kensington Palace. Queen Victoria was born there in 1819 and spent her childhood in its rooms. The palace's State Apartments and the gardens around it are open to visitors.
After the Great Exhibition of 1851, profits were used to buy land to the south for museums and colleges. The result was South Kensington's museum quarter: the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, all close to the Royal Albert Hall and the gilded Albert Memorial. Along Kensington High Street, the Design Museum now occupies the former Commonwealth Institute building.
What to see
- Kensington Palace – the State Apartments and Victoria's childhood rooms.
- South Kensington museums – art, design, natural history and science.
- Royal Albert Hall – concerts and tours, and the Proms each summer.
- Holland Park and Leighton House – a Japanese garden and an artist's palace.
Eating, shopping and atmosphere
Kensington Church Street is known for antique dealers and galleries, while Kensington High Street has larger shops. Around South Kensington, Exhibition Road is pedestrian-friendly and lined with cafés, and the streets near Gloucester Road and Earl's Court have a wide range of restaurants. The area is calm in the evenings compared with the West End.
A suggested day
Begin at Kensington Palace and walk past the Round Pond to the Albert Memorial. Spend the late morning in the V&A or the Natural History Museum, have lunch around South Kensington, then walk via Kensington High Street to Holland Park's Kyoto Garden.
Getting there
High Street Kensington, Gloucester Road and South Kensington are on the District and Circle lines, and South Kensington also has the Piccadilly line, which runs directly to Heathrow.
Getting there with Mason & Green
Heathrow is usually reached via the A4 Cromwell Road and the M4. Museum entrances on Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road can be busy, especially in school holidays, so we agree a nearby pickup point. We also provide hourly chauffeur hire for museum and shopping days.
See our Heathrow Airport transfers and hourly hire pages.
Frequently asked questions
Are the South Kensington museums free?
The permanent collections of the V&A, Natural History Museum and Science Museum are generally free. Some exhibitions charge.
Can you visit Kensington Palace?
Yes. The State Apartments and exhibitions are open to visitors with tickets.
How long does it take to get from Kensington to Heathrow?
It is usually a straightforward drive via the A4 and M4, depending on traffic.