London Kensington Tourist Map

Kensington is the royal borough's grand west end, built around a palace and two parks. Kensington Palace sits at the western edge of Kensington Gardens; a mile to the west lies Holland Park. Between them, Kensington High Street carries the shops and the Tube, and the side streets hold artists' houses that are now museums. It is a calm, well-kept district best explored on foot.

Kensington Palace is where Queen Victoria was born and grew up, and its state rooms and royal fashion displays are ticketed. Behind the High Street, Kensington Square is one of London's oldest squares, laid out in the 1680s, and St Mary Abbots has the tallest church spire in London. Walk up Kensington Church Street for antique dealers and the flower-covered Churchill Arms, known for Thai food.

At the west end, Holland Park hides the Kyoto Garden, a Japanese garden with a waterfall, koi and peacocks, given by the city of Kyoto in 1991. On its southern edge the Design Museum has a free permanent display and paid exhibitions. Nearby are two Victorian artists' homes: Leighton House, with its gold-domed Arab Hall, and Sambourne House, a cartoonist's family home kept almost untouched.

When to go: any time of year, but the Kyoto Garden is at its best in spring blossom and autumn colour. Leighton House is closed on Tuesdays and Sambourne House on Mondays and Tuesdays, so avoid early-week visits if you want both. Book the palace ahead in summer. Stations: High Street Kensington (District and Circle lines) for the palace, St Mary Abbots and the Design Museum; Holland Park (Central line) for the park's north side.