Places to see in London Chelsea
Chelsea Attractions
You’re in the posh part of town now, and Chelsea won’t let you forget it. As it’s now the “Royal” borough of Kensington and Chelsea, what was already a pretty gentrified area has become more exclusive than the presidential suite at the Ritz. Well, not quite, but it is definitely the hotspot to be seen in, rubbing shoulders with London celebs. It’s the home of the famous “Made in Chelsea” TV series, but also home to some of London’s finest cultural attractions too.
Recommended Attraction in Chelsea
Jump on the tube to Sloane Square and then immediately turn left out of the station. You’re at the Royal Court Theatre. Famed since it opened as being on the cutting edge of theatre, especially new writing and politically motivated theatre, this really is the beating heart of modern British arts culture. As well as having two theatre spaces, the place also has a great underground bar and restaurant with a small bookshop attached. Tickets to shows go from very cheap to quite expensive, but part of their policy is to get tickets out to a wide range of people, so they have generous offers on selected nights. The bar/restaurant is a great place to get a feeling of being amongst the bright young things of the theatre scene, and you’re bound to see a face you recognise somewhere in there!
Alternative Things To Do in Chelsea
The Kings Road plays host to an array of Chelsea’s activities, from the Saatchi Gallery to some of London’s poshest shops, boutiques and bistros. It’s quite famous for this reason, and if you go a bit of a way down, you might also find yourself scoping out some venues for a few drinks later! Chelsea Physic Garden (a medieval botanical garden) is quite stunning, as are many of the little squares dotted around south of Kings Road and north of the River. If you head down to the Embankment, you’ll come across Cheyne Walk, home to some of the world’s richest people (you’ll see why when you get there). All in all, Chelsea’s a beautiful place to spend some time and for all its activity, is really quite peaceful!
Attraction List in Chelsea
Getting to know Chelsea takes some walking around and discovering for yourself, as restaurants and bars go in and out of vogue with some regularity in those parts. But it’s also great for finding your way to other areas, such as Kensington and Victoria. So we’d suggest you take a look at our Chelsea hotel booking service to find a cheap hotel deal that’s right for you.
An area of Chelsea that truly embodies wealth, style and exclusiveness is Sloane Square. The Square itself lies on the boundaries of Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Belgravia and is responsible for the invention of the term Sloane Ranger. This term encapsulates the prosperity of the local residents and you’ll get a real taste of this when you walk around here.
Address: London SW1W 8EE
Take a stroll along the Kings Road and be wowed by the amazing boutiques, stylish cafes and bars, art galleries and designer shops. Bring your money with you though as once you’re here it’ll be impossible to resist the urge to spend, spend, spend!
Address: King's Road, London SW10 0LR
The list of former residents of Cheyne Walk reads like a who’s who of the rich and famous, both modern day and historical. Band members of the Rolling Stones Keith Richards and Mick Jagger lived here, as did famous writers such as George Elliot and Henry James. Political figures also made it their home, including Sylvia Pankhurst, and the famous footballer George Best even owned a flat here once! To find out which well-known people lived in this famous street, just stroll along it and read various blue plaques displayed on famous addresses.
Address: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London
Stephanie Hoppen Gallery really is a sophisticated and stylish art gallery, very much in sync with the exclusive nature of Chelsea. You can come here to see a range of interesting art that includes a selection of stunning paintings and photography from around the world.
Address: 17 Walton Street, London SW3 2HX
Phone: 020 7589 3678
Take a stroll around Michael Hoppen Gallery and you’ll be suitably impressed by the stunning array of photography on display. There is a fine collection of work from all around the world covering several centuries, exhibited in three galleries. The gallery even has its own publishing arm.
Address: 3 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TD
Phone: 020 7352 3649
You should pay a visit to the Saatchi Gallery to get a diverse experience of modern art. The gallery not only exhibits work from established artists such as Damien Hirst, it also champions new and innovative work from up and coming artists.
Address: Duke Of York's HQ, King's Road, London SW3 4RY
Phone: 020 7811 3070
One of the most historic landmarks in West London and a must see place is Royal Hospital Chelsea. Come here and gain an understanding of the history behind ‘Chelsea Pensioners’. The hospital itself was founded in 1682 by King Charles II and is a beautiful Grade I listed building, still operating along the guide of its original intentions: to act as a home for Chelsea Pensioners.
Address: Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4SR
Phone: 020 7881 5200
Visit the National Army Museum in Chelsea and you’ll get a real sense of how the British Army has helped shape the development of Britain, Europe and the world. On a lighter note, you can get a bite of lunch at The Great Escape Café during your exploration of this fascinating place. You can also buy a memento of your visit from The National Army Museum Shop.
Address: Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HT
Phone: 020 7881 6606
One of the oldest and most famous attractions in Chelsea, the Chelsea Physic Garden was originally established as the Apothecaries Garden in 1673. The garden is the second oldest of its kind in England and has a number of fascinating contents, including the oldest rock garden for alpine plants in England and the largest fruiting olive tree in the country. This is a really relaxing but nonetheless very interesting place to visit, so make it part of your trip to Chelsea.
Address: 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS
Phone: 020 7352 5646
Chelsea Old Town Hall is one of the finest attractions on Kings Road. It is well worth visiting the town hall just to see the spectacular architecture and décor, and you’d be well advised to check what’s on as Chelsea Old Town Hall stages all manner of concerts, fashion shows and fairs.
Address: King's Road, London SW3 5EE
Phone: 020 7361 2220
Carlyle’s House is the former home of the 19th Century Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle. The house now enjoys National Trust status and is a must see for anyone interested in literature. When you walk around the house at 24 Cheyne Row, you will be treading in the footsteps of writers such as Dickens, Browning and Tennyson, all of whom used the house as a meeting place.
Address: 24 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, London SW3 5HL
Phone: 020 7352 7087
Chelsea Farmers Market offers a retreat from the fast pace of the area as it is set back from the main street. You’ll find a range of alternative health and organic food outlets here including bars and cafes, and if you’re really lucky you might bump into someone famous as the market is known to be a celebrity hotspot!
Address: 125 Sydney Street, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, SW3 6NR
Phone: 020 7352 5600
Not only one of the most interesting pieces of architecture in Chelsea, Michelin House is also home to the fantastic Bibendum Restaurant, Café, Crustacea Stall and Café. Why not come here and take advantage of fantastic cuisine in a unique environment?
Address: 81 Fulham Road, London SW3 6RD
Phone: 020 7589 1480
A must see treat for all football lovers, Stamford Bridge is the famous home of Chelsea Football Club. Take a guided tour of the stadium and you’ll be able to visit the museum, have a look at the home and away dressing rooms, walk through the players’ tunnel to get to the pitch, and if you’re really lucky maybe get a glimpse of one of the first team players!
Address: Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London SW6 1HS
Phone: 0871 984 1955
Cadogan Contemporary is another must see for all art lovers! The gallery is more than 25 years old and is home to a spectacular range of contemporary paintings and sculptures, both from UK and International artists.
Address: 87 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD
Phone: 020 7581 5451
Get a really good insight into the glamour of Chelsea by visiting Chelsea Harbour, home to a number of offices but more interestingly a stunning design centre with a range of events and showrooms. Chelsea Harbour also has its own marina, where you will see a number of luxury yachts and boats and have the chance to dine in luxury at The Conrad.
Address: London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW10, UK
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