London area of Chelsea guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Chelsea neighbourhood

Football is traditionally a working class sport, but an ordinary fan of Chelsea FC earns around double the national average income, a statistic that tells you everything you need to know about this fabulously wealthy riverside neighbourhood. Two long high streets, the King's Road and the Fulham Road run parallel to the river, meaning that nowhere in the neighbourhood are you ever more than a few minutes' walk from a world-class restaurant, an exciting little boutique, or an antique shop with hotels more concentrated up towards fashionable Sloane Square. The artists of the nineteenth century and the pop singers of the 1960s made their homes here, and there are still a few remnants of the areas Bohemian past. Though the art galleries tend to sell tasteful landscapes, and the cafes no longer host all-night parties, the doyenne of contemporary British art Charles Saatchi chose Chelsea to be the home of his new gallery, and Vivien Westwood's punk boutique is still open on King's Road.

See our recommended nearby Chelsea Hotels, Events, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Draycott Hotel London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
26 Cadogan Gardens, SW3
Stylish antique d'cor, a peaceful but convenient location, and spacious, airy rooms are all essential to this hotel's appeal. Yet it is the unbeatable service that ... More

 

 

No.11 Cadogan Gardens
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
11 Cadogan Gardens, SW3
Private members club and Victorian boutique hotel, No. 11 London, was built by Lord Chelsea on the cricket ground between Harrods and Buckingham Palace and quickly ... More

 

 

Sydney House Chelsea
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
9- 11 Sydney Street, SW3
The Sydney House Chelsea is a converted town house located in a Grade II listed building, just moments from the King's Road in London's fashionable Chelsea ... More

 

 

Hotels in Chelsea

 

RHS Chelsea Flower Show
London > Events > Exhibitions
Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show celebrates its centenary in 2013, and it promises to be an extraordinary event with a nostalgic look back at the past ... More

 

 

Gaiety Is The Most Outstanding Feature Of The Soviet Union: Art From Russia
London > Events > Exhibitions
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's Square, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3
The Saatchi Gallery presents a large survey exploring the recent history of Russia, including the crumbling of the Soviet Union and the years of perestroika. Gaiety ... More

 

 

New Order: British Art Today
London > Events > Exhibitions
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's Square, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Featuring 17 young artists based in the UK, New Order: British Art Today continues the Saatchi Gallery's 25-year-long support of emerging artists and the King's Road ... More

 

 

Events in Chelsea

 

Royal Court Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Sloane Square, Chelsea, London SW1W
Dedicated to putting on new work and discovering new voices, the Royal Court Theatre was seen as 'the most important theatre in Europe' by no less ... More

 

 

Cadogan Hall
London > Entertainment > Classical Music
5 Sloane Terrace, Chelsea, London SW1X
Cadogan Hall opened its doors on 18th June 2004 with a surprising lack of fanfare. The former Church of Christ Scientist is now the home of ... More

 

 

Chelsea Cinema
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
206 King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3
An Art Deco classic, the Curzon Chelsea began life in 1934 as the Gaumont Palace. Despite a brief stint as a Habitat store it reverted to ... More

 

 

Entertainment in Chelsea

 

Royal Hospital Chelsea
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Built by Sir Christopher Wren 1682-1692, the Grade I-listed Royal Hospital Chelsea was intended by King Charles II to be a home for soldiers who were ... More

 

 

Proud Chelsea
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
161 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Art gallery Proud Chelsea brings top quality rock 'n' roll photography to the heart of King's Road. There are several strings to the Proud bow - ... More

 

 

Saatchi Gallery
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
Duke of York's Square, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3
The Saatchi Gallery re-opened on 9th October 2008 in the former military barracks of the Duke of York's Headquarters. The 70,000 square feet represents a significantly ... More

 

 

Sights and Attractions in Chelsea

 

Octopus
London > Shopping > Bags and Accessories
King's Walk Mall, 130 King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Fashion accessories for the person and the home. All the designs are practical everyday items with a twist, kitsch and colourful. Stock is sourced from around ... More

 

 

Reiss
London > Shopping > Clothing
114-116 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3
There are many shops on the high street that aim to mirror the latest trends on the catwalk in an affordable range, but few who do ... More

 

 

Terre d'Oc
London > Shopping > Gifts and Luxuries
184 King's Road, Chelsea, Chelsea, London SW3
Here at the Londontown.com offices, it’s been known to smell a little. What do you expect when you get ten hard-working editors searching for London’s finest ... More

 

 

Shopping in Chelsea

 

Builders Arms
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
13 Britten Street, Chelsea, London SW3
This popular, basic pub serves some really great food. Everything is cooked on the premises from proper ingredients and the smell that drifts out of the ... More

 

 

The Orange Public House & Hotel
London > Nightlife > Pubs
37 Pimlico Road, Chelsea, London SW1W
The Orange Public House and Hotel on Pimlico Road has been lovingly restored to its former glory by the team behind The Thomas Cubitt and The ... More

 

 

The Cadogan Arms
London > Nightlife > Pubs
298 Kings Road, Chelsea, Chelsea, London SW3
The Cadogan Arms has been given a facelift by Tom and Ed Martin - the brothers behind The Botanist, The Gun, The Well, Hat & Tun ... More

 

 

Pubs in Chelsea

 

Barts
London > Nightlife > Bars
Chelsea Cloisters, Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London SW3
Taking its inspiration from the American speakeasy movement, Barts is a tiny, intimate and relaxed bar in South Kensington which promises a refreshingly fun experience - ... More

 

 

Eighty Six
London > Nightlife > Bars
86 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Eighty-Six is the brainchild of George Adams and Charlie Kearns, the duo behind Verbier's Coco Club. A popular place for after hours socialising for the Fulham ... More

 

 

Nightlife in Chelsea

 

Lush Spa
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
123 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3
More than just a skincare shop, this branch of Lush on the Kings Road houses the Lush Spa. An overpowering mix of perfumes assaults the nose ... More

 

 

Chelsea Physic Garden
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
66 Royal Hospital Garden, Chelsea, London SW3
The largest fruiting olive tree in Britain and the world's northern-most outdoor grapefruit tree call the historic Chelsea Physic Gardens home. Hidden behind towering brick walls, ... More

 

 

Ushvani
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
1 Cadogan Garden, Chelsea, London SW3
One of Knightsbridge's better kept secrets is the Ushvani day spa, tucked away in a Grade II listed building on Cadogan Gardens. Founded by Usha Arumugam, ... More

 

 

Leisure in Chelsea

 

Education in Chelsea

 

Royal Hospital Chelsea
London > Business > Venue Hire
Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Built by Sir Christopher Wren 1682-1692, the Grade I-listed Royal Hospital Chelsea was intended by King Charles II to be a home for soldiers who were ... More

 

 

National Army Museum
London > Business > Venue Hire
Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, Chelsea, London SW3
With ten, widely different and uniquely versatile rooms, the National Army Museum can help you hold your event, your way. Plan your party in Victorian splendour, ... More

 

 

Chelsea Physic Garden
London > Business > Venue Hire
66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, Chelsea, London SW3
The largest fruiting olive tree in Britain and the world's northern-most outdoor grapefruit tree call the historic Chelsea Physic Gardens home. Hidden behind towering brick walls, ... More

 

 

Meeting Venues in Chelsea