Kensington

Kensington is an affluent and chic area of west and central London, located within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is bordered by Notting Hill to the north, by Brompton and Knightsbridge to the east, by Chelsea and Earl’s Court to the south, and by Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith to the west. The primarily residential district, seems fit even for royalty! With its historic houses, beautiful churches, antique shops, boutiques, and world - famous museums you’ll never be short of something to do or new to discover in Kensington.

The area was first mentioned in 1086 in the Doomsday Book in which it was recorded as Chenesitone. Many centuries later, Kensington became a haven for Victorian culture and architecture, as exhibited by the Royal Albert Hall and Queen Victoria’s homage to her late husband, The Albert Memorial. In more recent times, the area has become renowned for its shopping, its museum district, and South Kensington’s noticeable French influence.

Kensington High Street is the focus of the area. Its shops, chic restaurants, and easy access to Kensington Gardens makes it a popular destination for locals. Not only does Kensington High Street house the only UK branch of the upmarket US chain Wholefoods but it forms the main part of the heritage Routemaster bus service, courtesy of route 9.

The second centre of activity in Kensington is the district of South Kensington, As home to some of London’s most famous museums and Imperial College, one of the country’s finest institutions, South Kensington attracts people from all over the world. With this in mind, it is no surprise that the area has turned into what might be regarded as a mini French district which comprises of one of the biggest French communities outside of France. Not only is London’s French Lycee situated there but the many cafes seem to fill the air with a sweet aroma of freshly baked baguette.

Kensington is perhaps most famous for the fact that it acts as the location for Kensington Palace, one of very few London royal residencies. The palace has housed the likes of William and Mary and Princess Diana since the 17th century and it has been speculated the Palace will at one point become the London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

Despite the buzzing and fast paced nature of Kensington, there are plenty of parks, squares and green areas which are the perfect place to escape for a bit of peace and quiet. Kensington Gardens, a London Royal Park, attached to Hyde Park, spans over 275 acres and is particularly famous for the fact that it was the setting of J.M. Barrie’s novel Peter Pan. For an alternative park experience, head to Holland Park where you will be greeted by peacocks and will be able to marvel at the park’s magnificent Japanese garden. Kensington also has some of the capital’s most streets and garden squares including Kensington Square and Wycombe Square. These comprise of luscious, well groomed squares, surrounded by developments of Georgian or Victorian houses.

Unlike other London boroughs, despite being densely populated, Kensington has very few high rise buildings. Instead most residential dwellings are made up of sub-divided large mid-rise Victorian and Georgian houses into flats. Such dwellings however, tend to come at a high price. Kensington Palace Gardens, at the heart of Kensington is currently regarded at Britain’s most expensive streets. The average price of a mansion on the affluent road is about £19.2 million. The street is home to the likes of the Saudi Royal family, the ambassador of Japan, and the steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, who bought a house on the street for £57 million. Houses in the Phillimore Estate, just to the west of Kensington Gardens tend to go for about £20 million. In South Kensington, the rent can go from between £1,000 a month for a small studio to £26,000 per month for a top of the line, luxury penthouse unit. All areas of the district are considered prime location due to the prestigious schools, renowned cultural institutions, beautiful architecture, and fast connection via the tube to the rest London.

With its great shopping, buzzing restaurants, active nightlife, luscious greenery and beautiful housing, it comes as no surprise that the area has become very popular in the last couple of decades. The area has become the home to celebrities such as Madonna and Gary Barlow, which only highlights the areas’ star quality and attraction.