Things to do in Chelsea & London

MUSEUMS

 

Overwhelmed by the number of museums in London? Let us point you in the direction of the capital's finest museums and galleries, and top museum exhibitions and events they have to offer...

 

Our top 5 Museums 

Victoria & Albert Museum - The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The Museum holds many of the UK's national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance.
www.vam.ac.uk

Science Museum - Striving to be the best place in the world for people to enjoy science, the Science Museum's world-class collection forms an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical achievements from across the globe. The Science Museum is part of the Science Museum Group, a family of museums that also includes: National Railway Museum, Museum of Science & Industry and the National Media Museum.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Natural History Museum - The Museum is a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. The Natural History Museum uses their unique collections and unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. They care for more than 80 million specimens spanning billions of years. With a huge variety of exhibitions, changing regularly, check out their website for more details.
www.nhm.ac.uk

The British Museum - The British Museum is dedicated to human history, art and culture, and is located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection, numbering some 8 million works, is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence and originates from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.
www.britishmuseum.org

The Serpentine Gallery - The Serpentine Gallery, a Grade II listed former tea pavilion was opened by the Arts Council of England on 1 May 1970. The Gallery was originally conceived as a place to show the work of emerging artists, particularly from the UK and its regions. Championing new ideas in contemporary art since it opened in 1970. Today, the Serpentine has two exhibition spaces situated on either side of the Serpentine Lake in London’s Kensington Gardens: the Serpentine Gallery and the Serpentine Sackler Gallery, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm, the Galleries offer free admission throughout the year.
www.serpentinegalleries.org

      

SHOPPING

 

Shopping in London can be a struggle – with street upon street packed with great stores, just knowing where to start can be tricky. But we have picked out our must-shop venues before you leave the city!

 

Our top 5 shopping destinations 

Harrods - For more than 160 years, Harrods has been a luxury shopping destination for exclusive collections and excellent service. With seven floors and 330 departments dedicated to the finest products in food, fashion, homeware and technology, Harrods has something for everyone. The new luxury womenswear department, Superbrands, has 17 boutiques dedicated to top international brands, including Valentino, Prada and Dior, while Salon du Parfums houses the finest fragrances exclusive to Harrods. Shoppers can choose to dine in one of the store's 27 restaurants, including a pizzeria, steakhouse, oyster bar and new contemporary Chinese restaurant, Chai Wu. The Georgian is an elegant venue for afternoon tea, while the Harrods Food Halls have a wide selection of tea, chocolate and fresh produce. The store also has a range of customer services, including the Gift Concierge, Tax Rewards, Urban Retreat spa and By Appointment Personal Shopping. Payment options include Euros, US dollars and China Union Pay cards.
www.harrods.com

Oxford Street - Oxford Street the UK's favourite High Street has more than 300 retailers from designer outlets to department stores and is the most visited shopping street in Europe. With its heady mix of unrivalled shopping, fascinating history, captivating architecture, mouth-watering cuisine and unbeatable deals there's nowhere better than London's Oxford Street. After a long day shopping, you can step away from the hustle and bustle and head to St Christopher's Place where you will find it difficult to find a more diverse offer of restaurants, cafés and bars all within a stepping stone from an exciting mix of boutique shopping which is irrevocably unique.
www.oxfordstreet.co.uk

The Kings Road - This is one of London’s most affluent and fashionable neighbourhoods, and the boutiques along the King’s Road are as manicured as the residents. It was the King's private road until 1830, and is a major street stretching through Chelsea and Fulham. Associated with 1960s style, and fashion figures such as Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood. King's Road derives its name from its function as a private road used by King Charles II to travel to Kew. It remained a private royal road until 1830, but people with connections were able to use it. Some houses date from the early 18th century. 
www.streetsensation.co.uk/kingsrd

John Lewis - John Lewis is a chain of upmarket department stores operating throughout the UK. The first John Lewis store was opened in 1864 in Oxford Street, London. The chain's slogan is "Never Knowingly Undersold" which has been in use since 1925. On 1st January 2008, the Oxford Street store was awarded a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty the Queen as: "suppliers of haberdashery and household goods". John Lewis Reading is also the holder of a Royal Warrant from the Queen in 2007 as suppliers of household and fancy goods. Peter Jones, located in Sloane Square, Chelsea, is the holder of a Royal Warrant to both HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as draper and furnisher.
www.johnlewis.com/our-shops/oxford-street

Harvey Nichols - Since Harvey Nichols first opened in Knightsbridge in 1831, it has led the way in sourcing the most desirable and cutting-edge designer brands. Recognised as the UK's premier luxury fashion retailer, Harvey Nichols is internationally renowned for its expertly edited fashion and beauty merchandise, premium food and wine offer and award-winning restaurants. All UK stores have luxury Foodmarkets and Restaurants, Cafés or Brasseries. Exclusive, niche and established labels sit alongside accessible everyday collections, offering customers the must-have edit for all their wardrobe needs – from every day to extraordinary.
www.harveynichols.com

      

THE ARTS

 

Enjoy the best art exhibitions in London right now - from modern art to classical pieces, there is something to please everyone in the capital...

 

Our top 5 Arty days out 

The Royal Albert Hall - The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall in South Kensington, which has held the Proms concerts annually each summer since 1941 until the present day. Since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, some of the world's leading artists have appeared on its stage and it has become one of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings. Each year it hosts more than 390 shows in the main auditorium, including classical, rock and pop concerts, ballet, opera, film screenings with live orchestra, sports, award ceremonies, school and community events, charity performances and banquets.
www.royalalberthall.com

Cadogan Contemporary - Cadogan Contemporary is a truly independent art gallery. English in sensibility, they have an international appeal. Trading successfully for over 30 years in Chelsea, their client list is as diverse and distinguished as their stock. From quirky realism to pure abstraction, the selection is eclectic but retains an enduring identity. Exhibiting many established and critically acclaimed artists but each painting is chosen for what they think will connect to people.
www.cadogancontemporary.com

Medici Gallery - The Medici Gallery was established in 1908 and has been in the heart of London's art scene for over one hundred years. The Gallery exhibits figurative and representational contemporary painting and sculpture by British and international established and emerging artists. Opened in the 1930s, this gallery is believed to be the oldest greetings card specialist in London. Today they continue to follow the founders' vision of continually improving and refreshing what they offer. The gallery is situated conveniently adjacent to the South Kensington underground station.
www.medicigallery.co.uk

Andipa Gallery - The Andipa Gallery is a leading international dealer in Modern and Contemporary Art since 1967. Based in the heart of Knightsbridge they are amongst London’s most established commercial galleries with a large and ever-changing collection of wholly-owned artworks. The extensive inventory of paintings, drawings, sculpture and rare and unique signed prints includes works by such masters as Matisse and Picasso, the Pop artists Warhol Lichtenstein and Hockney, and landmark contemporaries such as Damien Hirst and Banksy. 
www.andipa.com

Saatchi Gallery - The Saatchi Gallery of contemporary art, opened by Charles Saatchi in 1985 in order to exhibit his collection to the public. It has occupied different premises, first in North London, then the South Bank by the River Thames, and finally in Chelsea, its current location. Saatchi's collection—and hence the gallery's shows—has had distinct phases, starting with US artists and minimalism, moving to the Damien Hirst-led Young British Artists, followed by shows purely of painting, and then returning to contemporary art from America in USA Today at the Royal Academy in London. The gallery has been an influence on art in Britain since its opening. It has also had a history of media controversy, which it has actively courted, and has earned extremes of critical reaction. Many artists shown at the gallery are unknown not only to the general public but also to the commercial art world.
www.saatchigallery.com

      

SIGHTSEEING

 

There are so many sights to see around London that we are spoiled for choice, we have picked our favourite five below! If you would like any more suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask our Reception team who will be happy to help!

 

Our top 5 Sights to see 

Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning.
www.royalcollection.org.uk

Kensington Palace - Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century, and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Today, the State Rooms are open to the public and managed by the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces, a non-profit organization that does not receive public funds. The palace also displays many paintings and other objects from the Royal Collection.
/www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace

The London Eye - The London Eye is located in the heart of the capital, gracefully rotating over the River Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. At 135 metres, the London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel; a feat of design and engineering, it has become the modern symbol representing the capital and a global icon. The experience showcases breath-taking 360-degree views of the capital and its famous landmarks and has been the number one visitor experience in the city for the past decade. The gradual rotation in one of the glass capsules takes approximately 30 minutes and gives you an ever-changing perspective of London. Within each capsule, interactive guides allow you to explore the capital's iconic landmarks in several languages. An experience on the London Eye will lift you high enough to see up to 40 kilometres on a clear day and keep you close enough to see the spectacular details of the city unfolding beneath you.
www.londoneye.com

Westminster Abbey - Westminster Abbey is a large, mainly Gothic abbey in the City of Westminster. It is one of the UK’s most notable religious buildings and the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs. Kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains - the Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Every year Westminster Abbey welcomes over one million visitors who want to explore this wonderful 700-year-old building. Thousands more join them for worship at their daily services.
www.westminster-abbey.org

Big Ben - The Houses of Parliament's iconic clock tower is one of London's most famous landmarks. Don't leave London without visiting Big Ben! The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London's most iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg). The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock faces are illuminated.
www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-attraction/big-ben

     

WALKING

 

'Walk London's' self-guided walking tours pass the very best of London's world famous and historic attractions ensuring you make the most of your visit to London. Each walk has a visitor attraction guide with an interactive map. For your comfort and relaxation you will find a variety of refreshment and resting stops on all our sightseeing walks.

 

The central London walks can easily be split or linked together so you can tour from 30 minutes to a whole day. Pick a route on how much time you have or what you want to see, ideal for everyone - tourists, visitors and Londoners.

 

All the following walks have been taken from: www.walklondon.com

 

Our top 5 Walks in London 

Royal London Walk - Explore Royal London thought it's green and open spaces. This walk passes many of central London's historic and prestigious royal palaces, households and other related attractions, most of which can be visited. Starting at St James's Park underground station the entire walk is through parkland and gardens. Follow in the footsteps of King Charles II and walk on 'royal soil' from Westminster to Kensington ending in tranquil Italian Gardens.
Leisure Walker: 3 hours
Power Walker: 55 minutes
www.walklondon.com/london-walks/royal-london-walk

Westminster Walk - This walk takes you past London's most important seats of Royal and Political power. On this self-guided sightseeing tour you will see many of London's historic and prestigious landmarks, some dating back over a 1000 years. Most of the tourist attractions can be visited throughout the year. Starting and finishing at Westminster underground station the tour passes London's top tourist attractions including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, The Mall, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
Leisure Walker: 2 hours
Power Walker: 45 minutes
www.walklondon.com/london-walks/westminster-walk-london

The Queen's Walk - The Queen's Walk takes you over Westminster Bridge, along the south bank of the River Thames towards the Tate Modern then back over the river on the Millennium footbridge to St Paul's Cathedral. This pedestrian walkway is several miles long and passes some of London's most popular tourist and visitor attractions all of which can be visited throughout the year. For your comfort this self-guided Queens' Walk tour passes many shops, cafés, bars and restaurants on your way to see some of London's most prestigious and world famous art galleries and theatres.
Leisure Walker: 2 hours
Power Walker: 45 minutes
www.walklondon.com/london-walks/the-queens-walk-london

City of London Walk - The City of London is over 2000 years old with Roman and medieval remains side by side with 21st century award winning architecture. Starting at St Paul's Cathedral and finishing at Monument underground station, this self-guided City of London walking tour takes you inside the boundaries of the "Square Mile", which has remained little changed since medieval times. Walk back in time through narrow alleys and cobbled streets to the most historic parts of the capital. See many famous landmarks from Christopher Wren's churches to markets that have been trading for 100's of years to environmentally sustainable skyscrapers.
Leisure Walker: 2 hours
Power Walker: 45 minutes
www.walklondon.com/london-walks/city-of-london-walk

Pool of London Walk - The Pool of London is the stretch of the River Thames from London Bridge to just below Tower Bridge. In existence for over 1000 years with trading on this part of the river dating back to roman times it is why London grew into one of the world’s major cities. Starting and finishing at the Monument underground station our self-guided walk takes you across London Bridge, through ancient passage ways and paths to Tower Bridge and beyond. Returning via the Tower of London you will walk past beautiful riverside buildings and through historic markets to top tourist attractions and museums. Many of the original wharfs still remain, converted into shops, restaurants, cafés and bars making the Pool of London an ideal place to walk, rest and relax.
Leisure Walker: 2 hours
Power Walker: 45 minutes
www.walklondon.com/london-walks/pool-of-london-walk