South Kensington is home to a vast array of Royal buildings, monuments and memorials. Take a day to explore what the area has to offer.
1. Start the day like royalty with breakfast at the Kensington Palace Pavilion. Enjoy a croissant with butter and jam, or treat yourself to a full English breakfast while you soak up the garden surroundings. (Find out more)
2. While you’re there, take a tour of Kensington Palace itself. There are a range of exhibitions to explore including the Queen’s rooms and the elaborate King’s staircase. Tours can be booked online through the palace website. (Find out more)
3. Take a leisurely stroll through Kensington Gardens towards the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. Take a walk around the fountain, which was built in 2004 as a memorial to Princess Diana. Be sure to take some time along the way to watch the ducks on the round pond, and stop in at the Serpentine Gallery to check out their latest exhibitions. (Find out more)
4. Head back through Kensington Gardens to check out the towering Albert memorial on Kensington Road. The statue was built by Queen Victoria in honour of her late husband Prince Albert and features ornate carvings, and intricate designs. Directly across from the memorial is the equally impressive Royal Albert Hall. Grab some lunch in the RAH Café Bar before taking a guided tour of the hall. Tours can be pre-booked from the Royal Albert Hall website. (Find out more)
5. After lunch, its time to head down Exhibition Road towards the V&A Museum. Take Prince Consort Road, behind the RAH, towards Exhibition road and take some time to admire the architecture of the Royal College of Music and the beautiful old façade of Imperial College. Turn right onto Exhibition Road and wander down towards the V&A Museum on Cromwell Road. The V&A holds a vast collection of arts and design. Browse the museum’s six floors of treasures, and be sure to visit the Jewellery collection to see sparkling tiaras and precious pieces spanning over 2,000 years. Entry to the museum is free although some special exhibitions are ticketed. (Find out more)
6. Take a short break from the exhibits for some afternoon tea in the V&A café. Make sure you look for a table in the Gamble, Morris or Poynter rooms, with their elaborate and geometric designs. (Find out more)
7. Once you've enjoyed the tea and cakes on offer, finish the day exploring the rest of the hidden treasures of the V&A.
