DK Travel : London : Kensington and Knightsbridge

This is where London’s gentry live. Nannies push prams around Kensington Gardens, uniformed school children line up in Hans Crescent and the social “in-crowd” gossip in the Fifth-Floor Café at Harvey Nichols. Whatever time of year, nobody is without a tan. Harrods is the light beacon of the area; the solid rocks are the great museums established in South Kensington by Prince Albert, whose name is never far away. Kensington is the Royal Borough where Lady Diana roamed. She lived in Kensington Palace, the choicest of royal residences, and shopped in Beauchamp Place. Foreign royalty have homes here, too. Such mansions need the finest furnishings and some of London’s best antique shops are in Kensington Church Street and Portobello Road, the most fun place to be on Saturday mornings.

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Royal China

A tempting variety of dim sum, including deliciouschar siu buns, are the main attraction here.
Royal College of Music

The UK’s leading music college stages musical events throughout the year. It also houses a Museum of Musical Instruments.
Science Museum

Traces the history of scientific and technical innovation
Serpentine Gallery

In the southeast corner of Kensington Gardens, this gallery houses temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
Speakers’ Corner

This corner of Hyde Park attracts assorted public speakers, especially on Sundays.
The Lacquer Chest

Offering an enticing mix of Victoriana, including porcelain, china and Oriental ware. This is one of many antique shops in Kensington Church Street.
The Orangery Tea Rooms

Open for tea, coffee and lunch, this delightful café is located in a pretty conservatory overlooking Kensington Gardens.
The Travel Bookshop

Excellent specialist bookshop selling both new and old books. The shop achieved fame in the filmNotting Hill .
V&A Late View

On Wednesdays and the last Friday of the month the groundfloor galleries at the V&A Museum are open until 10pm, with talks and live music.
Victoria and Albert Museum

A cornucopia of treasures is housed in this enchanting museum named after the devoted royal couple. There are fine and applied arts from all over the world, from ancient China to contemporary Britain. Highlights include extraordinary plaster copies of statues, and monuments and artifacts from the Italian Renaissance. Displays are arranged over six floors of galleries. The stunning new British Galleries display more than 3,000 objects illustrating the best of British art and design since 1500. There are restored period rooms and touchable objects.

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