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The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is home to some of the most interesting and enjoyable attractions in London. From the ever-hip King's Road in Chelsea to the recently-popularised Notting Hill, the shopping heaven that is Kensington High Street, the fantastic scenery of Kensington Gardens or some of London's top museums that are in South Kensington. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is rich in history and architectural interest - yet fashionably modern.
The area has always been closely associated with the British Monarchy : The Albert Hall and the recently restored Albert Memorial dedicated to Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria are located in Kensington - an area that is also associated with the late Princess Diana who lived at Kensington Palace. The area of Kensington is generally considered to be the current London postal districts London W8, London W10, London W11, London W14 and London SW7. The area of Chelsea is generally considered to be the current London postal districts of London SW3, London SW5 and London SW10. Anglo Saxon in origin, the "Kensington" name appears in the Doomsday Book survey of 1086 as Chenesit, one interpretation being Cynesigne's Farm. The origin of the "Chelsea" name is disputed. Spellings such as Chelcheya and Chelchythe are amongst many which appear on old documents. However, it is likely that it means "Chalk Wharf" as traces of chalk can now be seen at low tide in the River Thames. The area of Kensington and Chelsea was first a Saxon settlement and remained fairly rural until the 19th century. It has strong associations with the royal family and today the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is one of the most luxurious residential areas of London. Kensington Gardens were created from land taken from Hyde Park in 1689. The Gardens, boasting a Japanese area and rose garden, are beautiful and are a favourite with parents and children. On the eastern side of the park is Kensington Palace and a monument of Queen Victoria is located directly in front of the Round Pond. Kensington Palace, originally called Nottingham House, passed into royal ownership in 1689 when it was acquired by William III. Sir Christopher Wren made improvements to the house, adding the Clock Court and the Orangery for Queen Anne. Most notably, the palace was the London home of Princess Diana and is still home to other members of the Royal Family. The Renaissance-style Brompton Oratory was built in 1882 and the inside of the church is spacious and richly appointed. The church has a magnificent organ with nearly 4,000 pipes and boasts the third widest nave in Britain, after Westminster Abbey and York Minster. Also in the area are some of London's most notable museums, including the magnificent Natural History Museum and extensive Victoria and Albert Museum, packed with decorative arts. Abutting Hyde Park is the stately Royal Albert Concert Hall and opposite it is the recently restored gilded Albert Memorial statue, commemorating Queen Victoria's late husband. Harrod's, the world famous department store, is also a short walk away. Kensington is by no means a cheap area to stay, but we offer great value rates for our Kensington hotels. There is access to the District Line and from Gloucester Road station you have access to the Circle Line as well, with easy access to Paddington (where the Heathrow Express train originates) and the tourist meccas of Knightsbridge and Westminster. There is also the Piccadilly Line, offering a direct route to each terminal at London Heathrow as well as to Piccadilly Circus in the heart of London's West End. |
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Places of interest include: Albert Memorial Earls Court Conference Centre Natural History Museum Royal Albert Hall Science Museum |
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Best Western Burns Hotel, 18-26 Barkston Gardens, London SW5 0EN
Comfort Inn Kensington, 22-32 West Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW5 9QJ Comfort Inn Earl's Court, 11-13 Penywern Road, Earl's Court, London SW5 9TT Hotel Ibis London Earls Court , 11-13 Penywern Road, Earl's Court, London SW5 9TT London Earls Court Hotels |
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