Kensington

Kensington is a district in west-central London, England, located within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is bordered by Notting Hill to the north and Chelsea to the south, with Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park nearby. The area is known for its affluent residential character, historic townhouses and garden squares, and a concentration of cultural institutions.

A key feature of Kensington is Kensington Palace, located in Kensington Gardens. The palace has served as a royal residence since the 17th century and is now a museum and major historic site. Kensington Gardens form part of the green space west of central London and were once part of Hyde Park before becoming a separate park. The area around Exhibition Road in South Kensington houses several of London’s leading museums, including the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Museum. Imperial College London is also situated nearby, contributing to the area’s academic and scientific profile.

Commercial activity in Kensington is centered on High Street Kensington, a shopping corridor that includes department stores, boutiques, and restaurants. The district is well served by public transportation, with Underground stations at High Street Kensington, South Kensington, and Gloucester Road providing access to multiple lines.

Historically, Kensington developed from a rural estate into a fashionable urban district during the 18th and 19th centuries, aided by the construction of grand housing and landscaping. Today, it combines residential prestige with cultural and educational institutions, making it one of London’s recognizable and enduringly popular localities.