Despite its grand name The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is the smallest borough in London. However, this sliver of central London still stretches lengthways from Kensal Green and takes in Notting Hill, Holland Park, Kensington itself – including majestic Kensington Palace – and sophisticated riverside Chelsea.
Even when the borough was actually two villages, they were hailed for their exclusivity. Chelsea was once known as the Village of Palaces, an exclusive address even back in the 16th century, while in the 17th century Kensington was a favourite place to live for “persons of quality and note”.
It offers wonderful variety, from the pastel-coloured houses of Notting Hill to pretty squares and stately Victorian terraces, the stylish boutiques of South Kensington and Chelsea’s Kings Road to parks and gardens.
The borough remains one of the most sought-after places to live in London and townhouses, mansion flats and riverside properties abound for those looking for property for sale or to rent in Kensington and Chelsea. For those with a billionaire’s budget, Kensington Palace Gardens is known as the UK’s most expensive road.
Popular both with foreign investors and affluent families, Kensington and Chelsea has plenty of local schools, green spaces and great transport links, from Earls Court, Gloucester Road and South Kensington Underground stations to Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Holland Park Underground stations to the north.
There’s a wealth of things to do in Kensington and Chelsea, whether it’s shopping in the iconic Kings Road, browsing antique stalls in Portobello market or dining at Daphne’s or Bibendum (two of the area’s best restaurants).
