Known as London’s Museum Quarter or Paris’ 21st Arrondissement, South Kensington is full of world-class museums along Exhibition Road, Parisians, and luxury hotels and shops.
The presence of the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle and the French Consulate have created a strong French community in South Kensington. South Kensington is a very residential area, but the shops, museums, and restaurants draw very large numbers of tourists to the area year-round.
Like many especially affluent areas of generally affluent cities, South Ken is a very safe neighbourhood. The most common criminal offences in this area are various types of theft, including theft from shops, persons, or motor vehicles. The neighbourhood panel set the priorities at 1. Theft from motor vehicle, 2. Pickpocketing, and 3. Youth engagement.
Parking in South Ken is either residents’ parking or (somewhat limited) metered parking spaces. You can expect to pay between £5 and £35 for 2 hours of parking.
With many high-quality pubs, clubs, and restaurants open late, South Ken has lively nightlife of its own, and is also exceptionally well-connected by tube and night bus for those who ventured into the area from areas more remote, or those who wish to visit places further east.
With numerous options for schooling and extracurricular activities, as well as unrivalled access to parks and gardens and free museums, South Ken is a great place to raise children – if you can afford it
Located near the vast green space of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, where you will see dozens of dogs out with their owners at all times of day, this is a good place to own a pet.
South Kensington station is on the Piccadilly, District, and Circle lines and is located in Zone 1. Sloane Square is on the District and Circle lines and is also located in Zone 1. Gloucester Road is located in Zone 1 and on the Piccadilly, Circle, and District lines. Earl’s Court is on the boundary between Zones 1 and 2 and is served by the District and Piccadilly lines. Nearby Kensington Olympia station is served by the London Overground in addition to Southern and is on a short branch of the District Line – this station is located in Zone 2. Numerous buses and some 24-hour bus routes serve the area. The Piccadilly line to Heathrow takes approximately 45 minutes