South Kensington and the surrounding area is one of the prettiest in London. Despite its centrality to the city, it is also a wonderful area in which to discover quiet London. Even if you have never been to this part of London, it will be familiar from numerous films and TV shows.
As with all my suggested quiet walks. The idea is for a gentle wander, with plenty of places to take photgraphs, and cafes to pause in to drink coffee and read a few pages of a book. Quiet walks are all about going where the mood takes you. There is no pressure to go far at all, and sitting to ponder or take in the beauty of where you are is an essential ingredient of a quiet walk.
Where To Begin
In truth I begin my exploration of this area in Gloucester Road, rather than South Kensington itself. Although, the two are so closely intertwined, it may be hard to know where one starts and the other finishes. Spring is an especially lovely time to do this walk because this is when South Kensington is draped in blossom and blooms. The delightful scent of wisteria will accompany you on your exploration of some of the smaller streets in this neighbourhood.
Gloucester Road Tube station is on both the Piccadilly and District Lines and is an excellent jumping off point to begin exploring so many of those pretty mews. Just moments from Gloucester Road tube station is Fait Maison. A cafe serving patisserie and cakes, and both classic and middle eastern dishes throughout the day, including breakfast. To sit beneath a floral arch and watch the commuters, wanderers and sight seers wend their way is a good way to start the day.
Lets Start With Some Mews
Atherstone Mews has good proximity to the tube station so is a good place to begin. It is filled with pretty pastel house and is a good introduction to the many mews which can be found in this area. It also tends to be quite quiet, so its a good spot for taking pictures.
From here it’s a short walk to Cornwall Mews West and perhaps the most photographed of them all Kynance Mews. Cornwall Mews West is small but leafy and has a particularly verdant feel to it with lots of pots and trees surrounding the doorways and entrances to the cottages
Kynance Mews is known for its autumnal waterfall of russet leaves around the archway entrance in autumn, but I think it is pretty at any time of year. Kynance is a large mews and crosses a road, so two for the price of one here. Kynance, because of its size has the feel of a small village in the middle of London. I have also read that this area was heavily bombed in the second world war, but Kynance seems to have survived pretty much in tact. Along side Kynance Mews is the pretty Christchurch of Kensington. This is somewhere to stop and pause. From the cemetery you can view some of the surrounding streets.
After you have had your fill of all the prettiness of Kynance Mews, a stroll through the grounds of Imperial College is a nice quiet stretch to wander along. Enjoy the studious peacefulness here as you make your way towards Ennismore Garden Mews. This is such a classic mews. A myriad of pastel cottages, cobbled street and pots brimming with flowers and plants.
From here you could take a short diversion to Hyde Park. A wander along the serpentine, a mooch around the Serpentine gallery which is free, or of course a picnic might be a nice break from strolling the streets.
Exhibition Road
After all the prettiness of the mews, it’s only a short stroll along exhibition Road to find some culture. I think this is one of my favourite named roads in London. It gets its name from The Great Exhibition of London which was held just inside Hyde Park in 1851.
The big 3 museums can be found here and they are all free to enter, although at the time of writing you will need to book a slot. The Natural History Museum is in my opinion one of the most beautiful buildings in London so do pause and take in the architecture here. The Science museum has lots of interactive displays and more than enough to stimulate the most enquiring mind. The Victoria and Albert Museum however is where I will always want to be. After a wander through some of the calming galleries, it is the perfect place to stop for coffee, lunch or afternoon tea and cake. The cafe is the oldest in London, originally opened in 1856 bit was a temporary structure. The current cafe was opened in 1868 and named after James Gamble, Edward J. Poynter and William Morris the artists responsible for the 3 different rooms. They are all opulent, decorative and original. Take your pick of which room in which to enjoy refreshment. Or if the weather is good, sit in the garden cafe and watch children splash in the pool. On a hot day its a good place to throw of the sandals and dip your toes!
All of the museums have wonderful shops and are brilliant for finding gifts for even the trickiest recipient.
Walton Street and Pelham Street
A short walk from the museums and just behind Brompton Road you will find the well heeled Walton Street. This is such a great example of quiet London. Moments from a very busy road and central London is this little oasis. A long street filled with independent shops and boutiques, cafes, restaurants and a long stretch of very well kept homes. There are so many small streets leading of Walton street progress might be very slow and meandering, but thats how we like it! I tend to find myself staring longingly into the window of Nina Campbell, dreaming of filling my house with her colourful interiors.
On the corner of Brompton Road and Sloane Avenue is the iconic Michelin building Bibendum, which is home to an oyster bar and restaurant and of course the gorgeous flower stall. With the pale green tiled building and the vibrant blooms gracing its facade its impossible not to stop and take pictures here.
Make your way back towards South Kensington Tube via Pelham Street making sure to wander through Pelham Crescent. The houses are picture perfect here. A Georgian crescent of white stucco fronted and immaculate homes surround a private communal garden. In blossom season, magnolia and then wisteria is in abundance.
If you have not quite had your fill of London Mews then you may want to continue past South Kensington Tube and investigate Cranley Mews and Stanhope Mews. Both of these are lovely. Cranley Mews in particular is worth a little diversion. Long and sweeping with sugar sweet hues, its perfect if you want to fill your camera reel with even more instagram worthy shots!
The Area around South Kensington Tube
I like to finish at South Kensington tue because there are plenty of eating and drinking options should you want them. Primarily though, it is because of South Kensington Books. This is a wonderful book shop. Being so close to the museums it has an excellent selection of art books. However, the cookery section is also extensive and they have a great range of discounted fiction. If you happen to be someone who cannot resist filing you bags with books every time you visit a book shop then it is convenient to not have to carry them any further than the few steps to the tube.
Next to South Kensington Books is a lovely card and stationery shop called Medici Gallery. It claims to be the best card shop in London. I’m not sure about that but it it does have lots to choose from and is absolutely worth popping into.
As always this is of course just a starting point. The best way to approach any London walk is with curiosity. Follow your intuition, pop your head around hidden corners and go where your nose leads you! There are so many small streets and hidden gardens and cafes in South Kensington it’s a quiet wanderers dream.
Click here for a suggested route
Happy wandering. If you do find yourself in this part of London, do take photos share them on instagram using the hashtag #findingquietlondon so I can share them on my account @changing_pages
