A Quick Glance at Popular Attractions in Kensington

London like many large cities is divided into a series of districts and boroughs; each with their own unique charm. Kensington and Chelsea are areas of central London that were united in 1965 to form the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This area of London became known as the royal borough after Queen Victoria's death in 1901. The main reason for this lies in the fact that Kensington has been home to English royalty for over 4000 years when William III first moved into Kensington Palace, which was to become home to many famous royals including Princess Diana. It should come as no surprise then that Kensington is regarded as one of the most affluent boroughs in Britain.

As a borough Kensington and Chelsea has plenty to offer from the beautiful and picturesque gardens of Kensington Palace to the hip and trendy King's Road and Notting Hill. Over the years, Kensington has attracted thousands of visitors to its multiple museums, exhibition centres, and world famous shopping districts. Some of the most important and must see attractions in Kensington include:

Kensington Palace and Gardens
Kensington Palace has been home to various members of the royal family since 1689 and is now open to the public all year round. With access to the royal apartments and with royal art collections on display Kensington Palace is a must visit for anyone staying in the Kensington area. The gardens are beautifully kept and are wonderful to visit all year round and afternoon tea at the Orangery is perfect for a spot of refreshment.

Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert museum was established in Kensington alongside the Science museum in 1857 but was established in its own right in 1909. The museum is now home to one of the world's greatest collections of decorative arts and the amazing national sculpture collections.

Science Museum
The profits of the Great Exhibition of 1851 were used by Prince Albert to purchase some land in South Kensington on which an establishment could be built to promote and improve industrial technologies. For many years, the science museum formed part of a much larger institution that incorporated what was to become the Victoria and Albert Museum. With a wide range of exhibitions suitable for all ages, the Science museum is perfect for families with children who are bound to enjoy the 'Launch Pad' experience that is a specially designed hands on experience for children.

Natural History Museum
This highly recognisable gothic style building houses one of the largest and most extensive dinosaur collections in the world. The Natural History museum is the UK’s leading museum of natural history and the sheer scale and size of both the building and the exhibitions it displays are likely to leave you amazed and provide a wonderful way to spend a few hours amongst the wonders of nature.

King's Road and Kensington High Street
If you have come to London to do some shopping then you should definitely pay a visit to Kensington High Street. With all the usually high street stores including Warehouse, Jigsaw, Gap, and River Island alongside more exclusive individual boutiques Kensington is a shoppers paradise. The popular Portobello market is also only a short distance away in the nearby Notting Hill Gate area and of course the world famous 'Harrods' is situated close by in the Knightsbridge area of central London.

Earls Court and Olympia
Earls Court and Olympia are two of the most popular exhibition centres for a number of major exhibitions, shows, and concerts. Over the years shows such as The British Motor Show, The Good Food Show and the Ideal Home Show, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year have brought over 3 million visitors to the Kensington area every year. The venues have also seen a number of iconic performances by Elton John, Madonna, and Iron Maiden and hosted events such as The Brit Awards and The International Horse Show, which is held at Olympia every December.

All of the major attractions mentioned above are all within easy reach and most within a ten-minute walk away from Quality Crown Hotel Kensington. Having recently undergone a huge refurbishment and transformation this luxury 4 star hotel puts you right at the heart of Kensington and all that the area has to offer. For more details or to book your stay at Quality Crown Hotel Kensington visit www.qualitycrown.com.