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, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Chelsea Hotels

in or near Chelsea
The Bentley Hotel London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
27 - 33 Harrington Gardens, SW7
As its name suggests, The Bentley hotel is a rather sleek model. Appropriately located in upmarket Kensington and Chelsea all of the 64 rooms in this ... More
 
 
 
Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
97 Cromwell Road, SW7
The location, two minutes' walk from Gloucester Road tube station, is the major draw of this modern, high-rise hotel. The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace, Natural ... More
 
 
 
41 Hotel London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
41 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W
The tenth best hotel in Europe (according to New Yorker's tourist Bible 'Travel and Leisure') is so close to Buckingham Palace you can almost hear the ... More
 
 
 

Chelsea Entertainment

in or near Chelsea
PICK
Chickenshed Kensington and Chelsea
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW10
Chickenshed theatre company has been working to make theatre inclusive for over 30 years and in 2011 they launched a new theatre programme in Kensington and ... More
 
 
 
PICK
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
 
 
 
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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 but is making up for that with a year of 10th ... More
 
 
 

Chelsea Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near Chelsea
PICK
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
 
 
 
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National Trust: Carlyle's House
London > Attractions > Museums
24 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, Chelsea, London SW3
A Queen Anne Town House occupied by historian and 'Sage of Chelsea' Thomas Carlyle and his wife Jane from 1834-1881. A man of letters, Thomas Carlyle ... More
 
 
 
PICK
National Army Museum
London > Attractions > Museums
Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3
More than 23 million pounds has been spent on re-development of the National Army Museum which reopens in 2017 to reveal a radical ... More
 
 
 

Chelsea Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's Chelsea
PICK
Lema
London > Shopping > House and Garden
183 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Housed in an elegant townhouse with large windows overlooking Kings Road, the flagship Lema store designed by Piero Lissoni offers two floors of luxury furniture and ... More
 
 
 
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Kate Kuba
London > Shopping > Shoes
22 Duke of York Square, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Winner of ‘Best Women’s Footwear Awards’ two years running, this trendy shop has become a national treasure. An eclectic mix of equestrian-style boots, bejewelled high-heeled sandals ... More
 
 
 
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Habitat King's Road
London > Shopping > House and Garden
208 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Habitat is a furniture shop which also sells kitchenware and decor items which puts the emphasis on simplicity, functionality, beauty and affordability. Originally the brainchild of ... More
 
 
 

Chelsea Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near Chelsea London?
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La Delizia
London > Restaurants > Italian restaurants
63 Chelsea Manor Street, Chelsea, London SW3
Pizza & Pasta ... More
 
 
 
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Le Pain Quotidien
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
201-203 King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3
... More
 
 
 
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Le Pain Quotidien Kings Road
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
201-203 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3
It all started with a loaf. Not just any loaf. Belgian chef Alain Coumont was intent on creating the perfect mix of water, flour and salt. ... More
 
 
 

Chelsea Pubs

The best pubs in or near London Chelsea.
PICK
The Builders Arms
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
13 Britten Street, Chelsea, London SW3
Chelsea local, The Builders Arms on Britten Street, a landmark pub serving thirsty locals since 1999, underwent an elegant makeover in ... More
 
 
 
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The Surprise
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
6 Christchurch Terrace, Chelsea, London SW3
Gastropub... More
 
 
 
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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
 
 
 

Chelsea Nightlife

Chelsea clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
PICK
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
 
 
 
Phene Arms
London > Nightlife > Bars
9 Phene Street, Chelsea, London SW3
... More
 
 
 
Surprise in Chelsea
London > Nightlife > Bars
6 Christchurch Terrace, Chelsea, London SW3
... More
 
 
 

Chelsea Leisure

Chelsea gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
PICK
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
 
 
 
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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
 
 
 
PICK
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
 
 
 

Chelsea Education

in or near Chelsea
PICK
Royal College of Art, Dyson Building
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
1 Hester Road, Chelsea, London SW11
The £21 million Dyson Building makes up the largest part of the purpose-built Battersea campus of the prestigious Royal College of Art. Located at 1 Hester ... More
 
 
 
Chelsea Library
London > Education > Libraries
Chelsea Old Town Hall Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3
The Library at Chelsea Town Hall on the King's Road offers a wide range of services for anyone living or working in the Royal Borough. It's ... More
 
 
 
 

Chelsea Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near Chelsea.
PICK
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
 
 
 
PICK
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
 
 
 
PICK
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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