Kensington Guide
The Kensington area is popular with tourists and business executives as it is central - famous London Museums are within walking distance as are Kensington Palace and Gardens. Knightsbridge, Harrods and High Street Kensington designer shops are nearby and Earls Court and Kensington Olympia Exhibition Centres can be easily reached.
Kensington has always been popular with people 'of quality and note' and from the 17th century the area has been much appreciated due to its location near the metropolis as well as the reputation for healthy air.
The British Royal Family has been residing at Kensington Palace since the 17th century and it was the official residence of the late Diana, Princess of Wales until 1997. Beautiful Kensington Gardens, once the private gardens of Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James's Park create a fresh and healthy atmosphere in the heart of London between Kensington and Westminster.
Kensington is also a home to many other sites that are less well-known. One of them is the Brompton Oratory that was built in 1882 and is a great example of the richly appointed and spacious Renaissance-style church. This second largest Catholic church in London boasts the third widest nave in Britain, after Westminster Abbey and York Minster.
Kensington is also the area with many impressive London museums. Whether you would like to see the Natural History Museum or the extensive Victoria & Albert Museum, full with decorative arts, enjoy Hyde Park or walk to the Royal Albert Concert Hall - they are all in Kensington area.
Kensington and Chelsea also host two very popular events: the Chelsea Flower Show and the Notting Hill Carnival. The Chelsea Flower Show is held every year in the grounds of the Royal Hospital and is attended by Royalty and the 'cream of society'. Notting Hill Carnival, which has grown rapidly over the past 30 years, takes place every August Bank Holiday on the streets of North Kensington and attracts millions of tourists from around the world as well as many Londoners. Once a small community-based event, the Notting Hill Carnival has grown into Europe's greatest and most bouncy street party.
Today the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is one of the most deluxe residential areas in London.
Kensington Restaurants
Kensington Essentials
Kensington Shopping
Kensington Nightclubs
Kensington Events
Kensington Hotel Guide - London
Quality Crown Hotel Kensington is our London hotel in the Kensington and Chelsea area of central London. Kensington is located to the south and west of Hyde Park and is bordered by Knightsbridge on the east side and Earls Court and Hammersmith on the West side. Being the preferred location of many embassies this is an up-market area. The area of Kensington and neighbouring Knightsbridge includes such places of interest include Royal Albert Hall, Royal College of Music, Royal College of Art, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, Albert Memorial, Harrod's, Natural History Museum, V & A Museum, Science Museum and the Brompton Oratory. Kensington, which is slightly to the north of South Kensington and also borders Holland Park offers Kensington Palace and Gardens and the renowned shopping areas of Knightsbridge and Kensington High Street.
Kensington is by no means a cheap area to stay, but we offer great value rates for our Kensington hotels. There is access to the District Line and from Gloucester Road station you have access to the Circle Line as well, with easy access to Paddington (where the Heathrow Express train originates) and the tourist meccas of Knightsbridge and Westminster. There is also the Piccadilly Line, offering a direct route to each terminal at London Heathrow as well as to Piccadilly Circus in the heart of London's West End.
