South Kensington Travel Guide

London

London Natural History Museum featuring interior views, heritage elements and heritage architecture
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 showing heritage architecture, interior views and heritage elements

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

Things to do


Top hotels in South Kensington

The Rembrandt

The Rembrandt

4 out of 5
11 Thurloe Place London England
The price is Rp2.987.959 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp2.987.959
Rp3.585.551 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,233 reviews)
Staff were helpful, friendly and very courteous. Hotel in a great position to museums, underground and restaurants.

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

The Rembrandt
The Drey

The Drey

2 out of 5
1 Barkston Gardens London England
The price is Rp1.543.729 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp1.543.729
Rp1.852.475 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Hyde Park and Marble Arch are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (81 reviews)
Clean, new

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2026

The Drey
The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington

4 out of 5
140 Gloucester Road London England
The price is Rp2.617.912 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp2.617.912
Rp3.141.494 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,314 reviews)
Excellent room, pleasant check, breakfast staff friendly and helpful

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2026

The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington
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 Rp1.838.744 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
Rp1.838.744
Rp2.206.493 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,149 reviews)
The room I stayed in (Executive Club ) was spacious, bright and clean . The amenities such as a work desk , large space( for London) and a surprise was a free mini bar with a couple of soft drinks every day. Nespresso Machine , fridge and a larger size safe . Breakfast was good with several smart ...

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2026

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 Rp2.344.399 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp2.344.399
Rp2.813.278 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,095 reviews)
lovely staff

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington
The Ampersand Hotel - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

The Ampersand Hotel - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

5 out of 5
10 Harrington Road London England
Stay at this luxury hotel in London. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,007 reviews)
I really liked the hotel. It was clean, modern, and had friendly staff, and was very close to a tube station with direct access to the center of London. Staying on this side of town is way easier, getting in and out of London, and there is easy access to the center.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

The Ampersand Hotel - Small Luxury Hotels of the World
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 Royal Albert Hall 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 Piccadilly Circus 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
An iconic view of Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament over Westminster Bridge, London, UK

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