Kensington on Foot
Morning
Start at South Kensington Underground station, and follow the signs to the
Victoria & Albert Museum
. Spend a delightful hour in the new British Galleries and see the recreated period rooms. Follow Old Brompton Road to the
Brompton Oratory
, where you should take a look at its sumptuous Italianate
interior, with 12 marble Apostles. Cross the road for a coffee and a
pastry at Patisserie Valerie.
Turn right into Beauchamp Place, where window
shopping takes in creations by such English designers as Bruce Oldfield
and Caroline Charles. Continue down into Pont Street, and turn left up
Sloane Street. Check out Hermés, Chanel and Dolce e Gabbana before
turning left along Knightsbridge to Harrods.
Harrods has a
choice of 21 bars and restaurants. The food hall’s Deli and the Oyster
Bar are best. Save dessert for the 4th-floor ice-cream parlour.
Afternoon
Just five minutes north of Harrods,
Hyde Park
, offers a peaceful walk along the south bank of the Serpentine. Heading for
Kensington Palace
you pass the famous statue of JM Barry’s Peter Pan
and the Round Pond, where model-makers sail their boats. West of here,
the palace’s costume exhibit includes many of Princess Diana’s dresses.
Next door,
The Orangery Tea Rooms
provide a restorative cup of tea.
The Best of the Rest
Royal College of Music
The UK’s leading music college stages musical events throughout the year. It also houses a Museum of Musical Instruments.
Holland Park Concerts
The
open-air theatre in Holland Park hosts an annual summer season of
opera, theatre and dance, while art exhibitions are held regularly in
the Ice House and the Orangery (see Holland Park).
Abbotsbury Road W14
Admission charge
Holland Park Orangery
Serpentine Gallery
In the southeast corner of Kensington Gardens, this gallery houses temporary exhibitions of contemporary art .
Kensington Gardens W2
Open 10am–6pm daily
Free
Serpentine Gallery
Christie’s
Visiting the salerooms here is like going to a small museum. Their experts will value items brought in by the public.
Electric Cinema
London’s
oldest purpose-built movie theatre, it remains one of the prettiest and
offers luxury seats; it also has a bar and restaurant.
Queens Ice Bowl
Enjoy ice-skating, karaoke and ten-pin bowling here – but try to avoid the after-school crowd.
V&A Late View
On
the last Friday of the month the ground-floor galleries at the V&A
Museum are open until 10pm, with a themed evening of events (see Victoria and Albert Museum).
Park Café
Alongside the Serpentine Lido, the Park Café has lakeside tables. Jazz and poetry sessions take place on summer evenings.
Speakers’ Corner
This corner of Hyde Park attracts assorted public speakers, especially on Sundays.
Hyde Park Stables
Ride around Hyde Park or take lessons – this is the best place for horse riding in London.
Shopping
Harrods
London’s
most famous store has over 300 departments full of the finest goods
that money can buy. Specialities include food, fashion, china, glass and
kitchenware .
Harvey Nichols
Another
top London store. There are eight glorious floors of fashion, beauty
and home collections alongside one floor dedicated to high-quality food .
Harvey Nichols
Burberry
Burberry sells its famous trenchcoats as well as checked clothing and distinctive luggage.
Nicole Farhi
Sophisticated urban clothing from one of the UK’s leading designers is available is this cool, minimalist shop.
L’Artisan du Chocolat
Combining artistry and craftsmanship, Gerard Coleman creates some of London’s most innovative chocolates.
Rigby & Peller
Famous
for their high quality lingerie, swimwear, corsetry and superb fitting
service, this company has held the Royal Warrant since 1960. Expect
service fit for a Queen.
2 Hans Road SW3
Tube Knightsbridge
Antiquarius
Up to 60 dealers housed under one roof sell vintage jewellery and silverware as well as more unusual antiques.
Cutler and Gross
Treat yourself to the latest eyewear and browse the superb collection of retro classics.
Shop at Bluebird
As
to be expected on King’s Road, the stock here is always chic and
fashionable. Women’s and men’s clothing, books, furniture and even a spa
for decadent treatments.
The Travel Bookshop
Excellent specialist bookshop selling both new and old books. The shop achieved fame when it appeared in the film Notting Hill.
13 Blenheim Crescent W11
Tube Ladbroke Grove
