London Neighbourhoods: Things to do in South Kensington
Here's some things to do in South Kensington, a London neighbourhood filled with cultural delights.
South Kensington is renowned for being one of the poshest areas of London, with stunning architectural sights like the Natural History Museum adding a distinct cultural flavour to the neighbourhood. Referred to fondly as South Ken by locals, it's filled with fantastic restaurants, internationally renowned museums and greenery with two gigantic parks nearby. There's loads to see and do in this rich corner of London - if you're taking the Hop on Hop off London Bus tour, then it's worth stepping off at Kensington Gardens for these great things to do in South Kensington.
Image via The Roof Gardens facebook
Where to Eat
The Roof Gardens Located a little further afield, The Roof Gardens and Babylon in Kensington is one of London's best kept secrets. These lush rooftop gardens are split into three separate areas (English Woodland, Spanish and Tudor) and are free to roam around in, perfect for those looking for respite from the busy London streets. After you've finished soaking in the greenery, head to their restaurant and bar Babylon for a bite to eat with a view over the London skyline. Daquise For a taste of Eastern European cooking, head to Daquise for hearty Polish meals that bring to mind all the comforts of home. As one of the oldest Polish restaurants in the capital, it has a chequered history serving diners from all walks of life including Soviet spy Christine Keeler and the ousted Polish president Edward Raczynski.
What to Do
Royal Albert Hall Attracting big acts from all over the world, a night at Royal Albert Hall is an unforgettable one regardless of who you're watching. From Adele to Cirque de Soleil, this beautifully designed theatre is a versatile one and has a diverse programme worth keeping an eye on. For a spine tingling experience that will redefine the way you watch movies, try their Films with Live Orchestra series where movies like Harry Potter, Fantasia and Jurassic Park have had their award winning soundtracks brought to life. Science Museum Be filled with childlike wonder again at the British Science Museum, where you'll be able to discover everything from the inner workings of clockmaking to Einstein's theory of relativity. With gigantic displays, carefully considered educational exhibits and interactive experiments for budding scientists to play with, it's worth making some time for the museum's IMAX theatre. Don't go in expecting Hollywood's biggest blockbusters to be on the programme list, this cinema only shows gorgeous documentaries that will take you from the depths of the ocean to the fringes of the universe. V&A While the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery may steal the show, the V&A is a fantastic gallery for art lovers obsessed with design. Spanning fashion, architecture, textiles and more traditional art forms like painting and ceramics, the V&A collects some of the most inspirational pieces in the world with over 2.3 million objects in their permanent collection. Keep an eye out for their temporary exhibitions as they're worth a visit - the 2017 programme features Pink Floyd- and Balenciaga-centric collections. Natural History Museum Easily recognisable by its grand facade, the Natural History Museum is one of the most stunning structures in South Kensington and also one of its best cultural sites. With numerous themed exhibits covering zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and more, it's easy to spend hours exploring its millions of species and exhibits. The best thing? It's all free.