Kensington is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and is bordered by the City of Westminster, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, Bayswater, Hammersmith, Fulham, Holland Park, Earls Court, and Chelsea. Scroll down and find out the best things to do in Kensington during Summer 2016.
Kensington oozes royal elegance and is replete with old-world buildings that mix easily with the glass windows of cheese shops, pastry bakeries, and international consulates giving the entire neighborhood a grand finish and polished refinement.
It is a posh, sophisticated and opulent area with plenty of natural surroundings in the form of parks and gardens, particularly Kensington Gardens. The area is also full of attractions particularly Kensington Palace and a plethora of museums.
Visit Museums
Three of London’s world-class museums are located in this area – the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum.
The Natural History Museum is ideal for both adults and children with its exhibits revealing the natural world; the Victoria and Albert Museum offering an eclectic collection focussing on art and design, hosting a late-night event focussed on a specific theme on the last Friday of every month; and the Science Museum that focuses on science and technology and stays open late on the last Wednesday of every month providing adults-only entertainment.
The area is also home to the Royal Albert Hall that hosts a variety of concerts; the Serpentine Gallery located in Hyde Park that hosts free modern and contemporary art exhibitions and gets famous architects to design temporary event pavilions for its lawns during the summer.
Apart from its world-famous museums, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea also has a diverse collection of parks, gardens, and leafy avenues. The area springs to life during the summer when tourists abound in London, offering them a diverse mix of attractions and things to do. The following are some of the reasons why you should visit Kensington and Chelsea this summer.
If you are visiting London with the intention of sightseeing with special emphasis on Kensington, it would be best to stay near the heart of London and in the midst of Kensington’s attractions.
Take a Tour of Buckingham Palace
The official residence of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace throws open its doors for a short period in summer every year. Londoners and tourists will be able to take a tour of the majestic palace from 23rd July to 2nd October and walk through the nineteen State Rooms that are used for entertaining guests by the Royal family.
Get One with Nature – Appreciate the Sensational Butterflies
At a summer exhibition at the Natural History Museum, that will continue until 11th September, an invasion of sensational butterflies will be witnessed giving you the opportunity to explore the world of the tropical butterflies, right here in the heart of central London.
You can try and discern the difference between butterflies and moths and seek out caterpillar camouflage. The museum provides magnifying glasses for the use of visitors to have a closer look.
Barclay British Summer Time at Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the venue for the open-air British Summer Time festival that takes place every July from 1st to 10th July. Various concerts take place every year but this year the highlights include Stevie Wonder, Take That, Mumford and Sons, and Florence + The Machine.
They are all supported by superb acts. Tickets are still available.
Relax in Hyde Park
Besides providing lush green spaces for relaxation on a hot summer day, Hyde Park also offers plenty of leisure activities that can keep you busy for a full day.
Those interested in water activities can go to the Serpentine and they can either swim in the lido or hire a rowing boat or pedalo and have a great time on the water. The other activities include walking, jogging, having a picnic, playing tennis, horse riding, taking a bike on hire, and moving around.
You can also visit some of the attractions in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens such as Kensington Palace, Speakers’ Corner, Peter Pan Statue, Diana Memorial Fountain, Diana Memorial Playground, Serpentine Gallery and Serpentine Solar.
Watch a Tennis Match at Wimbledon
If you are in London during this year’s Wimbledon tennis tournament, you can enjoy seeing a match if you can manage to get a ticket. Otherwise, you can watch the match on giant screens in public viewing areas such as at Henman Hill.
Wimbledon matches will take place this year from 27th June to 10th July.
Participate in Beatrix Potter’s 150th Birthday Celebrations
Beatrix Potter was born at Bolton Gardens in Kensington and she grew up in South Kensington and was a frequent visitor to the South Kensington Museum (now V&A museum) with her father.
Her 150th birthday was celebrated in and around the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on 28th July 2016.
Attend BBC Proms in the Park
There is a line up of 91 concerts spread over 58 days that will take place at the BBC Proms this summer at a series of venues all over London including the Royal Albert Hall. It is considered to be the world’s greatest classical music festival.
Shopping
You can find plenty of fashionable high-street stores at Kensington High Street but without the usual crowds of the West End. You can find fine art and antiques at Kensington Church Street.
A large number of quaint cafes and exclusive nightclubs are also available in Kensington.
Any other things to do in Kensington during Summer you’d like to add to the list? Let us know.