Things to do in Kensington: museums, gardens and the High Street
Kensington High Street is a useful starting point for exploring W8. Its station, shops and Design Museum connect with walks towards Kensington Gardens, Holland Park and Kensington Church Street.
The High Street and Church Street
The Design Museum moved in 2016 into the former Commonwealth Institute, built in 1962 with a distinctive copper roof. Its permanent display is free, with ticketed temporary exhibitions. Whole Foods occupies the former Barkers department store further east, near High Street Kensington’s District and Circle line station.
Antique dealers line parts of Kensington Church Street towards Notting Hill. Clarke’s at 122–124 has been Sally Clarke’s restaurant since 1984, with her bakery shop across the road. Near the top, the flower-covered Churchill Arms has a Thai kitchen.
The palace, the parks and two artists' houses
Historic Royal Palaces runs Kensington Palace, with timed tickets for the State Apartments and exhibitions. Nearby in Kensington Gardens, the renewed Diana Memorial Playground offers another destination for younger children.
Holland Park has woodland paths, peacocks and the Kyoto Garden’s waterfall and koi pond. At its southern edge, Leighton House displays Frederic Leighton’s studio and tiled Arab Hall. Sambourne House on Stafford Terrace preserves a Victorian family home.
Cornwall Gardens near Gloucester Road and Edwardes Square off the western High Street show Kensington’s garden-square streets, though many gardens are private. Kensington Gardens Square is a different location: Bayswater, W2, north of Kensington Gardens near Westbourne Grove, closer to Notting Hill and Paddington.
Museums, and getting about
The Science Museum and Natural History Museum stand close together in South Kensington. Short weekday visits may be easier to fit than a full holiday weekend. The Mosaic Rooms on Cromwell Road offers contemporary art from the Arab world on a smaller scale.
High Street Kensington has Circle and District services. Gloucester Road and South Kensington add the Piccadilly line, and Notting Hill Gate has the Central line. Buses along Kensington Road pass the Royal Albert Hall towards Hyde Park Corner; the back streets towards Cromwell Road offer walks among listed buildings.
The Kensington search has more than thirty residences, with starting rates around £175 a night. The area extends from Notting Hill Gate towards Earl’s Court, so an enquiry for the High Street should say so rather than relying on the broader Kensington name.
Food hygiene ratings for the places in this guide
Official fact Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, checked 23 September 2026. 5 is the top rating.
| Name | Registered address | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke's | 122-124 Kensington Church Street, W8 4BH | 5 | Nov 2025 |
| Sally Clarke shop | 121 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LP | 5 | Sep 2023 |
| The Churchill Arms | 119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN | 5 | Jul 2026 |
Apartments in the area
| Residence and address | Apartment sizes | Recorded stay term |
|---|---|---|
| Stanhope Gardens Apartments 75 Stanhope Gardens, London SW7 5RN | Studio, 1 bed, 2 bed, 3 bed | Minimum by enquiry |
| Queens Gate Gardens 39B Queen’s Gate Gardens, London SW7 5RR | Studio, 1 bed, 2 bed | Minimum by enquiry |
| The Milestone Residences 1 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL | 2 bed, 3 bed | Minimum by enquiry |