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The Civic Gallery TEST

This is a platform to showcase local talent. 

A platform to showcase local artistic and creative talent, The Civic Gallery is as an opportunity for local artists to exhibit their work to the public in the Civic Reception of Kensington Town Hall.

 

What to see and do in Kensington and Chelsea

See and do

So much to see and do - visit major museums and galleries, lesser known hidden gems, theatres and other entertainment venues, parks and gardens, places of interest, libraries, sports and recreation, find sculpture on public display, discover the history of the borough, commemorative blue plaques of famous former residents and notable filming locations.

Explore -  Science Museum
Explore - Saatchi Gallery
Saatchi Gallery

Founded in 1985 to bring contemporary art to as wide an audience as possible by providing an innovative platform for emerging artists to show their work. The Gallery has hosted 15 out of the top 20 most visited exhibitions in London over the last five years, and has more followers on social media than any other museum in the world. Entry to all Saatchi Gallery’s exhibitions is free.

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Shopping

Shopping

Our shopping centres range from international destinations to smaller, more quirky local centres and street markets.

Explore - Portobello Road credit Gunwoo Kim hero

Eat and drink

Where to Stay

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Natural History Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>The museum’s collections promote the whole of the natural world, but for most visitors it’s about the dinosaurs.</p> <p>Image © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London [2018]. All rights. reserved</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW7 5BD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/">Read more</a></div>

V&A

<div class='contentField'><p>The world's greatest museum of art and design, with collections including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Place

<div class='contentField'><p>201 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, London W8 7LX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/kensington-place" hreflang="en">Read more</a></div>

Science Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>Reknowned for its interactive galleries and inspirational exhibitions, with over 15,000 objects on display, including the Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson’s Rocket.</p> <p>Image Mathematics The Winton Gallery, Science Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects,&nbsp; © Nick Guttridge</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Exhibition Road, Kensington, London SW7 2DD</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising

<div class='contentField'><p>Reveals how we lived and shopped from Victorian times to the present day – packaging, ads, fads and fashion.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>111-117 Lancaster Rd, London W11 1QT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.museumofbrands.com/">Read more</a></div>

Design Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>European Museum of the Year 2018, this is the world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from architecture and fashion to graphics, product and digital design.</p> <p>Image <font color="#000000">© </font><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif;"><font color="#000000">Gareth Gardner</font></span></span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.designmuseum.org">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Palace

<div class='contentField'><p>A royal palace since 1760, it was the birthplace of&nbsp;Queen Victoria and she&nbsp;lived there until her accession in 1837. Diana, Princess of Wales, lived in part of the private apartments and her sons live here now.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p><span class="widget-pane-link" jsan="7.widget-pane-link" jstcache="676">Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/">Read more</a></div>

National Army Museum

<div class='contentField'><p>A leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.nam.ac.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Leighton House and Sambourne House

<div class='contentField'><p>Leighton House and Sambourne are two extraordinary artists houses in our borough. Explore its unique interiors, collections and join the events programme for all. Reopening dates will be announced soon!</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>12 Holland Park Rd, Kensington, London W14 8LZ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://webtest.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/">Read more</a></div>

18 Stafford Terrace

<div class='contentField'><p>Originally the family home of ‘Punch’ magazine cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne this is a unique example of a late Victorian townhouse with almost all of its original furniture and fittings.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington, W8 7BH</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://webtest.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/museums/18staffordterrace1.aspx">Read more</a></div>

Sloane Square Hotel

<div class='contentField'><p>A Chelsea home from home</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>7-12 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8EG</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.sloanesquarehotel.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Milestone Hotel

<div class='contentField'><p>Luxury boutique hotel</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>1 Kensington Ct, Kensington, London W8 5DL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.milestonehotel.com/about">Read more</a></div>

Baglioni

<div class='contentField'><p>Italian home in Kensington</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>60 Hyde Park Gate, Kensington, London SW7 5BB</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.baglionihotels.com/branches/baglioni-hotel-london/">Read more</a></div>

Royal Garden Hotel

<div class='contentField'><p>Overlooking Kensington Gardens</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>2-24 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 4PT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Millennium Gloucester

<div class='contentField'><p>Close to Gloucester Road tube station</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>4-18 Harrington Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 4LH</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/london/millennium-gloucester-hotel-london-kensington/">Read more</a></div>

Bailey's Hotel

<div class='contentField'><p>Victorian townhouse hotel</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">140 Gloucester Rd, Kensington, London SW7 4QH</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/london/the-baileys-hotel-london/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=BlackFriday2018&amp;utm_content=millennium%25">Read more</a></div>

Safestay Hostel Holland Park

<div class='contentField'><p>Budget accommodation in a grade&nbsp;I listed building within Holland Park.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Safestay-London-Kensington-Holland-Park/London/93920?source=adwordsdynamic&amp;network=g&amp;creative=231043150028&amp;adposition=1t3&amp;uniqueclickID=14530144799333414377&amp;sub_keyword=&amp;sub_ad=b&amp;sub_publisher=ADW&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMImvWg6t-I4AIVCrftCh3G8A5JEAAYAyAAEgKtDfD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Read more</a></div>

Copthorne Tara Hotel

<div class='contentField'><p>Located close to Kensington High Street.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/london/copthorne-tara-hotel-london-kensington/">Read more</a></div>

Japan House

<div class='contentField'><p>A Japanese cultural centre on Kensington High Street, which is part of a global project led by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offering an exhibition gallery, events space, a Japanese restaurant and thoughtfully curated Japanese products.</p> <p>Image&nbsp;© Lee Mawdsley</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>101-111 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 5SA</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Royal Hospital Chelsea

<div class='contentField'><p>Home of the Chelsea Pensioners, the famous scarlet-coated veteran soldiers, for over 300 years. The Hospital is a grade&nbsp;I listed heritage site designed by Sir Christopher Wren and is open to visitors.</p> <p>Image © Royal Hospital Chelsea</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea Bridge Rd, Belgravia, London SW3 4SR</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/visit">Read more</a></div>

Chelsea Old Town Hall

<div class='contentField'><p>Grade II listed late Victorian building now used for a range of events and home to the iconic Chelsea Registry Office.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EE</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://webtest.rbkc.gov.uk">Read more</a></div>

French Institute

<div class='contentField'><p>Encourages cross-cultural exchange and presents the best of French culture, offering: French courses, film screenings, library collections, kids activities, festivals, talks and concerts.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>17 Queensbery Pl, Kensington, London SW7 2DT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/">Read more</a></div>

Ismaili Centre

<div class='contentField'><p>Home to the UK Ismaili Muslim community. In addition to a central prayer hall the centre also hosts exhibitions.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>1-7 Cromwell Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 2SL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://the.ismaili/ismailicentres/london/architecture-london">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Town Hall

<div class='contentField'><p>Designed by Sir Basil Spence, the main Council Building is used for conferences and events as well as Council business.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Hornton St, Kensington, London W8 7NX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://webtest.rbkc.gov.uk/">Read more</a></div>

St Mary Abbots

<div class='contentField'><p>Kensington’s ‘cathedral’ has the tallest church steeple in London, in addition to daily worship there are weekly concerts and regular talks and events.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 4LA</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="http://www.smaw8.org/">Read more</a></div>

The Brompton Oratory

<div class='contentField'><p>Home to the Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri in London, a community of priests founded in the sixteenth century. The Oratory also serves as a parish church in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RP</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.bromptonoratory.co.uk/#about">Read more</a></div>

BAYSIXTY6

<div class='contentField'><p>This is probably the best skate park in the capital. Operating not-for-profit it runs a skate academy as well as providing top class facilities</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Bay 66, Acklam Road, London W10 5YU</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.baysixty6.com/find-us/">Read more</a></div>

Kensington Leisure Centre

<div class='contentField'><p>Provides an air-conditioned 120 station gym, three pools, spa, fitness studios, sports hall and café.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Silchester Rd, London W10 6EX</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/kensington-and-chelsea/kensington-leisure-centre/facilities">Read more</a></div>

Westway Sports Centre

<div class='contentField'><p>Football pitches, tennis courts, gym, indoor sports facilities and a climbing wall.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>1 Crowthorne Rd, London W10 6RP</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/westway-sports-fitness-centre/">Read more</a></div>

Chelsea Sports Centre

<div class='contentField'><p>Pool, fitness centre and studios, and sports pitches.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Chelsea Manor St, Chelsea, London SW3 5PL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/kensington-and-chelsea/chelsea-sports-centre">Read more</a></div>

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

<div class='contentField'><p>Adventure playground based around a pirate ship.</p> <p>Image © Royal Parks</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Broad Walk, London W2 4RU</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens/things-to-see-and-do/diana-memorial-playground">Read more</a></div>

Holland Park Playground

<div class='contentField'><p>The adventure playground is closed for re-design until summer 2019. The new playground will feature a 25m zip wire, ten-person see-saw, 56m hill coaster, 110m of water channels,11-person dragon swinger.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>55 Abbotsbury Rd, Kensington, London W14 8EL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://webtest.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks/holland-park">Read more</a></div>

Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Playground

<div class='contentField'><p>Innovative children’s play area.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Big Green Gates North Kensington, 32 Southern Row, London W10 5AN</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://webtest.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks/emslie-hornimans-pleasance">Read more</a></div>

Virgin Active Gym

<div class='contentField'><p>Seven studios, a spa, café and lounge.</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>3rd Floor, 17A Old Ct Pl, Kensington, London W8 4PL</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/kensington">Read more</a></div>

Anytime Fitness Gym Kensington

<div class='contentField'><p><span lang="">Located beneath the Royal Garden Hotel and open 24hrs.</span></p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 4PT</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://www.anytimefitness.co.uk/gyms/uk-0029/london-greater-london-w8-4pt/">Read more</a></div>

Triyoga

<div class='contentField'><p>Classes, treatments, workshops and courses</p> </div><div class='contentField'><p>372 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5UZ</p> </div><div class='contentField'><a href="https://triyoga.co.uk/">Read more</a></div>