London By Borough
There are certain places in the world that you call home; a place where you grew up, planted roots, and made memories with family and friends. Then there are places far from home that bring you great comfort and joy, as if they were home. No matter how many times you visit, they always offer new discoveries, new memories, and new connections, filled with a sense of nostalgia.
London is this place for me. England, as a whole, captures my heart. It has been challenging to put these feelings into words, and even now, I feel they don’t do my emotions justice.
I have long yearned to write about London and its magical hidden gems. Finally, I’ve figured out how to share this place, far away from home, that I crave to visit regularly after falling in love with it many years ago.
Westminster Abbey
Welcome to London By Borough, the only way to deep dive into this incredible city. Borough by borough, hidden gem by hidden gem. A city full of discovery, inspiration and culture. London, you have my heart and you always will.
Before we deep dive into our first borough I thought I’d share a little story of what brought my love for London to life. As a creative at heart, I have always used fashion to express myself—a way to show who I am without having to speak. This was ideal for a shy kid growing up. High school wasn’t really my jam, to say the least, and as soon as I decided to pursue a degree in fashion, I was ready to embark on a new journey.
My family took a trip after my senior year of high school, and I am forever grateful that we ventured to a destination I had longed to visit: London of course! This trip opened my eyes to the world of fashion and a whole new, vibrant world of creative culture. Fashion, art, architecture, inspiration was on every block and corner you turned. One day, while wandering down Oxford Street in true tourist fashion, I stumbled upon the University of the Arts: London College of Fashion campus in Oxford Circus. I remember thinking to myself I would be back here one day to study at this school. Being the manifesting generator I am, I had no idea what I had just put into the universe. Fast forward three years, and I found myself in London for my semester abroad at the London College of Fashion. This marked the beginning of my true love story and the awakening of my true wandering soul.
Since that first trip and my semester at UAL, I have returned to London many times, exploring it with family and friends and even moving back to a suburb of London as an au pair a few years after studying abroad. London has seemed to have put a spell on me and every chance I get to return, I do everything I can to make it happen. Each visit back is a completely different experience, and I believe this is why it has a way of pulling me back again and again. My most recent trip was this time last year for a milestone birthday, and this trip seemed different in the most magical way. Maybe we’ll tap into why in a future blog post, but for now, let’s explore our first London Borough together!
University of The Arts London: Oxford Circus
Wander & Rove Through the London Mews with me to - The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, W.11.
The Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is the smallest borough in London and the second smallest district in England but it is indeed one of the most charming boroughs in my opinion.
As a young university student, I found myself wandering & roving about at every chance I got. Usually in search of a café or shop to explore. One day, I set off for a wander through Hyde Park, ventured through the gorgeous Kensington Gardens. I did have a goal in mind, the Harrods Food Hall, but I suddenly found myself immersed in the quiet streets and hidden mews with wisteria vines crawling up the sides of the buildings. I was instantly transported back in time, and a sense of nostalgia and comfort rippled through me. It was a magical escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, making the large city feel small and cozy. I love how you can find hidden pockets of London all throughout the city that are an escape from the busyness of it all. You just have to get yourself out for a proper wander.
About
Despite my many wanderings through the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, there was much to learn about it still! For started, I discovered the parameters of where the borough lies, it includes Notting Hill which did not know! You learn something new everyday, I suppose!
Located on the north bank of the River Thames just west of the City of Westminster. The borough of Kensington and Chelsea includes areas such as Notting Hill, Kensington, South Kensington, Chelsea and Knightsbridge. It has a an artistic heritage featuring museums, galleries, architecture, charming mews to wander, independent shops and the urban culture of Notting Hill. A wander through this borough is truly a journey through history!
The small red, dotted lines indicate the boroughs parameters.
History
This feels like a great time to dive into some of the history of Kensington & Chelsea. Let’s start with the mews!
First off, what is a mew, you ask? Well, a mew is a row of house stables and coach houses with living quarters above. They were built in a paved yard behind London houses during the 17th and 18th centuries. The mews today have been transformed into lovely homes; places I’d love to call home if I lived in London.
One of my favorite things to do is get lost wandering amongst the mews. You never know what will be around the next corner, I find myself envisioning what life is like for those who live in these beautiful mews.
Favorite Mews to Wander:
- South Kensington/ Queen’s Gate- lots of mews to wander.
- Kynance Mews off of Launceston Place
- Cranley Mews: Priory Walk
- Hesper Mews
Things To Do:
Museums: Growing up with a father who is quite the history buff, we always spent time at museums during our travels. Some I enjoyed a tad more than others, as you can imagine as a young child these we're not very appealing at times. But I eventually found a way to appreciate them. Let me tell you, the museums in London changed my perspective and I found a whole new appreciation for them. It’s all about finding the works of art that inspire you and well speak to you in a different way or change your perspective on a matter.
- Victoria & Albert Museum- If you are a fashion history fan like myself, you might want to pay a visit to the the V&A. The exhibits are always changing and incredibly inspiring. During my semester at UAL, our class had the wonderful opportunity to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit, this changed my perspective on museums forever. Founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects.
- South Kensington Tube stop
- Kensington & Chelsea Art Week
- Yet to go but it is on the list for another visit!
- Sloane Square- in the heart of Chelsea you will find this historic square, bustling with shops, restaurants, and historic charm.
- Sloane Square Tube stop
- Natural History Museum- Whether your a history buff or not, the architecture of the building speaks for itself, holding rich history and an impressive collection of natural sciences within. A wander through this museum will leave you in awe of the natural world and how a museum should showcase its collections.
- South Kensington Tube stop
Outside the Natural History Museum around Christmas time.
- Saatchi Gallery- contemporary art exhibitions showcasing the work of emerging artists,
- Sloane Square Tube stop
- Kensington Palace & Gardens - The birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years. Wander through the beautiful gardens and explore the living quarters of royals past and present.
Noteworthy Areas To Wander
- Kings Road: A major street stretching through Chelsea and Fulham. It is associated with 1960s style and with fashion figures such as Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood.
- Bywater Street: A lovely row of colorful flats
Bywater Street
- South Kensington:
- Queen’s Gate Mews & Terrace- lots of mews to wander around
- Kynance Mews off of Launceston Place
- Cranley MewsPriory Walk
- Hesper Mews
- Marloes Road to St. Mary's Gate to St. Mary's Place
- Chelsea Embankment wander along the Thames, Albert Bridge to Battersea Park
- Uber Boat From Chelsea: A fantastic way to see the city from the Thames without the tourist crowds. You can hop off and on as you please (with a ticket, of course).
- Portobello Road: home to one of the most famous and historical street markets in the world for over 150 years. Wander Portobello Road as you find hidden treasures of vintage clothing, antiques and diverse food and drink options!
- Notting Hill Gate Tube stop- don't be afraid to wander around this area as you venture through Notting Hill you'll find pastel colored houses and quaint streets.
Shops
Harrods: A must wander through even if it’s just straight to the Food Hall- in my opinion the best part of the store! I love wandering through the designer products and admiring the beautiful designs but nothing speaks to me more than the Harrods chocolate hall…
- Knightsbridge Tube stop
Harrods by night
Harrods Food Hall
Harrods Chocolate
Harrods Chocolate Goodies
Wandering through Harrods Sneaker Department
- Duke Of York Square: high street shops and restaurants
- King’s Road: A mix of independent and high street shops. A few favorites include:
- Rixo
- TOAST
- Surplus- men's clothing
Sloane Street: High end shops.
Harvey Nicholos: A luxury department store.
John Sandoe Bookstore: an independent bookshop crammed books since 1957.
Eats:
- Sale Y Pepe: delicious Italian cuisine with a wonderfully friendly atmosphere.
- Knightsbridge Tube stop
- Raw Press: A plant based cafe- smoothies, juices, bowls.
- Sloane Square Tube stop
- The Muffin Man: A cozy spot near High Street Kensington Tube stop.
- Gail’s Bakery: Many locations around the city but this one caught me on the perfect rainy London day for a cuppa and scone.
Pubs:
- Scarsdale Tavern: Great traditional pub food. It wasn’t a Fuller's pub the last time I visited, and I hope it’s still the same!
- High Street Kensington Tube stop
- The Fox and The Pheasant:
- Fulham Broadway Tube stop
- Cock Tavern: great pub to go to before catching a Chelsea game or want to watch at the pub
- Stamford Bridge: Chelsea Football Club
- Fulham Broadway Tube stop
Football fan or not, if you’re in London, I highly recommend catching a match. There are plenty of clubs in central London, and ticket prices vary depending on the match and teams playing. I’ve attended three Premier League matches, and they are some of my favorite London memories. The atmosphere is simply unmatched.
Stamford Bridge Stadium
Well, that wraps up the first edition of 'London By Borough'. These are just a few recommendations to get you started; the city is constantly growing and changing, so there are endless places to visit and things to see. My suggestion is to start in one area of London, which is why I’ve broken this down by borough. Then pick one or two places in that borough that you really want to see. This approach will make London feel more digestible, and you’ll get more out of your visit if you focus on specific experiences instead of jumping all over the city trying to cram in too much. Keep it simple and concentrate on what you truly want to experience during your trip to London.
I hope you enjoyed this borough guide! Stay tuned for the next one!
Cheers loves,
Sarah