There’s just something about High Street Kensington that feels special. Most known for its shopping and retail offerings, famous historical landmarks such as Kensington Palace and rich culinary offering, it’s a spot in London that could easily feel over-commercialised, yet there’s something about it that still feels very neighbourhood-y.
I’m visiting on a balmy summer’s day, where the trees are blooming with vibrant leaves, the sky is a bright blue and the air feels relaxed. I’m here to experience the perfect day in High Street Kensington, marrying together culture, history, food and a bit of relaxation too. Here’s my guide to how to spend a day in High St Kensington.
10am – Visit the Design Museum
When you first arrive in High Street Kensington take a leisurely stroll down to the Design Museum. One of the most iconic Museums in London, it’s a fantastic place to get your culture fix and delve into the wonderful world of design. While there is plenty of the museum that’s free, there are also rotating paid-for exhibitions that are well worth visiting. I was lucky enough to see ‘Splash! A century of Swimming and Style’ which is currently on until the 17th August. Examining the enduring love of water over the past hundred years, items on display include Pamela Anderson’s red bathing suit from Baywatch, the first Olympic solo swimming gold medal won by a British woman and one of the earliest surviving examples of a bikini. It’s a beautiful and really interesting exhibition that I recommend taking your time to wander around and look at the 200-strong items on display.
Take a trip to the gift shop on your way out and if you have time, grab a coffee to sip in the lobby. The building itself is beautiful and the atmosphere makes it a fantastic place to just sit and pass some time.
Prices £14.38 adults, £7.19 children 6-15 yrs and £10.77 concessions.
Members free
www.designmuseum.org
12pm – Head to Leighton House and Sambourne House
Once you’ve got your design fix, it’s onto a little more culture with a trip to Leighton House and Sambourne House. Tucked away a little off the main road and feeling truly like a London hidden gem, they’re both stunning architecturally from the outside, beautiful inside and have a true oasis of calm out the back. Leighton House is the historical artist studio-home of celebrated painter Lord Frederic Leighton, you can take your time to wander through the home, see his paintings and learn more about his history. Nearby is Sambourne house, a Victorian time capsule and what was once the home of Punch magazine illustrator Edward Linley Sambourne. The house is largely unchanged so offers an insightful glimpse into the past.
On a sunny day such as when I visited, it’s worth spending time in the garden out the back where you can throw yourself down on the grass and bask in the sun’s rays or read a book in one of the deckchairs. You can buy a drink, snack or light bite – although we didn’t do this as there was a fantastic lunch to come!
Leighton House: 12 Holland Park Road, London, W14 8LZ
Sambourne House:18 Stafford Terrace, London, W8 7BH
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums
1pm – Lunch at Origin – Royal Garden Hotel Origin restaurant
Finding somewhere to eat in High Street Kensington can be a challenge because there are just so many choices. If you’re after somewhere perfectly located and where you know you’ll get treated that little bit special, Origin in the Royal Garden Hotel is an effortless choice. We were seated at a table right at the window, overlooking Kensington Gardens, bathed in natural sunlight. Origin blends contemporary European cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and it was hard to pick just what to eat as it all looked delicious. There was a range of vibrant salads, gourmet sandwiches, and mains like roasted sea bass, truffle-infused pasta, or succulent grilled meats, all crafted with an emphasis on bold flavors and elegant presentation. We tucked into freshly baked bread, Lovage custard with celery, pistachios & wild garlic and a delicious wye valley asparagus. For mains I had the wild garlic gnocchi while my partner opted for the fish and chips – both were as well presented as they were packed with flavour. It’s the perfect place to stop for a midday refresh and ideal to refuel you before heading back out again to explore!
Royal Garden Hotel
2-24 Kensington High Street,
London, W8 4PT
https://www.originkensington.co.uk
2pm – Stroll around Kensington Gardens
Once you’ve finished eating, download the 12-minute wellness tour of Kensington Gardens, which starts from the Royal Garden Hotel. You can view the accompanying map to get you around here, while you learn all about the nature and historic figures of Kensington Gardens. Being pleasantly full from lunch as we were, the walk is a welcome reprieve and is one of the most stunning spots in the city. Spanning 265 acres in size (large enough to hold 20 Royal Albert Halls) you can either walk or get a bike to cycle around. Stroll down historic tree-lined avenues amid blossoming flowers, taking in the pond and certain sights like the Peter Pan statue and the Albert Memorial in dedication to Queen Victoria’s husband.
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/kensington-gardens
3pm – Cocktails and A Look Around Japan House
Finish your day in High Street Kensington with a visit to Japan House. An exhibition space, restaurant, bar and shop, you can while away many hours here just exploring the different things on offer. While I was there, they were showing the Craft of Carpentry exhibition that transports visitors from the living forests that sustain this Japanese tradition to the celebrated structures they produce. The exhibition celebrates the tools and craftsmanship behind Japan’s temples and shrines and even features a life-size reconstruction of the Sa-an teahouse in the temple Daitoku-ji in Kyoto. There is also the chance to enjoy hands-on opportunities to assemble ingenious wood joints and inhale the scents of Japan’s native wood types.
Once you’ve had a good wander round, make your way to Akira on the top floor where you can indulge in a Japanese cocktail to round off your trip. The bar here is sleek and stylish, with a perfect array on offer that’s not overwhelming but you’re sure to find something you like. I have theMiyako which is a blend of Roku gin, Rose, Lime, Pomegranate and Champagne, while my partner opts for the Hyo which is Toki Japanese Whisky, Sambuca, Umeshu and Lime. We sip them slowly and take in the buzz of High Street Kensington below.
101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10:00–20:00
Sundays & Bank Holidays: 12:00–18:00
Admission free
https://www.japanhouselondon.uk
For High Street Kensington really is somewhere that has it all. Tall buildings stand shoulder to shoulder down the high street, but the pavements are peppered with luscious trees and wildlife. Flower stalls bloom and it takes a quick duck down a side street and you’re instantly away from the hustle and bustle to a historical landmark. There’s culture, history and culinary delights, an endless list of places to eat and drink and beautiful spaces to enjoy the outdoors. It’s a corner of London that captures a little piece of you each time you visit that keeps you coming back time and time again.
