Experiences
Things to Do in Kensington
Three world-class free museums, a royal palace and the Albert Hall, all within a few streets.
In short: our top picks are Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Science Museum. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Kensington is where London keeps some of its grandest culture, most of it free. The Natural History Museum, V&A and Science Museum cluster along Exhibition Road, Kensington Palace and its gardens sit to the north, and the Royal Albert Hall faces the Albert Memorial. It is a neighbourhood for a proper museum day, ideally with a break in the gardens. The area’s hotels and afternoon teas do the grand version of a treat afterwards.
| Place | Area |
|---|---|
| Natural History Museum | South Kensington |
| Victoria and Albert Museum | South Kensington |
| Science Museum | South Kensington |
| Kensington Palace | Kensington |
| Serpentine Galleries | Kensington |
| Royal Albert Hall | South Kensington |
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Editor’s choice
Natural History Museum
Why we pick itHintze Hall's blue whale skeleton, the dinosaur galleries and 80 million specimens, all free in a cathedral-like Victorian building.
museum
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Victoria and Albert Museum
Why we pick itThree thousand years of art and design across fashion, ceramics, sculpture and jewellery, the world's leading decorative-arts museum.
museum
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Science Museum
Why we pick itSeven floors of interactive science, from the flight simulator to the Wonderlab galleries and an IMAX screen.
museum
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Kensington Palace
Why we pick itThe royal residence where Victoria and Diana lived, with state apartments, exhibitions and the formal Italian Gardens.
royal palace
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Serpentine Galleries
Why we pick itTwo free contemporary-art galleries in Kensington Gardens, best known for the star-architect summer pavilion.
art galleries
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Royal Albert Hall
Why we pick itThe great domed Victorian concert hall, home of the Proms and a year-round programme, opposite the Albert Memorial.
concert hall
Before you book
South Kensington station connects to all three big museums by a pedestrian tunnel, handy in the rain. The museums are free but the blockbuster exhibitions ticket separately and sell out. Go early at weekends, since the Natural History Museum queues from opening.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Natural History Museum is our editor's choice: Hintze Hall's blue whale skeleton, the dinosaur galleries and 80 million specimens, all free in a cathedral-like Victorian building. Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Science Museum lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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