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Best places across London — pubs, markets, museums, bridges, parks.

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Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

Museums

Named in honour of Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert, this museum has existed for over 150 years. It contains a huge collection of decorative arts from all over the world and far back in time. Trying to see everything in one day would be exhausting, so use the excellen

Science Museum

Science Museum

Museums

Dedicated to scientific exhibitions and collections bar those related to the life sciences. A number of famous historical machines and inventions are housed here, from steam locomotives to the Apollo 10 command module. The space exhibits are especially popular. Exhibitions tend t

The Geological Museum

The Geological Museum

Museums

This venerable old institution was absorbed by the neighbouring Natural History Museum in 1985 but still has something of a separate identity. Unsurprisingly, devoted to all things geological with especially popular exhibits on vulcanology and earthquakes and fossils of all types

National Army Museum

National Army Museum

Museums

This large museum traces the history of the British Army, and includes interesting and thought-provoking exhibits that go well beyond a collection of military equipment (though the museum does, of course, boast a large collection of it).

Memorial Scrolls Trust Museum

Memorial Scrolls Trust Museum

Museums

Following the mass murder perpetrated by the Nazis, the Jewish population of postwar Czechoslovakia was a tiny fraction of its former size, and religious persecution continued under the communist regime. This tiny museum tells the fascinating story of how, in 1964, 1,500 Torah sc

Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden

Parks

Garden founded by apothecaries in the 17th century to the medicinal properties of plants. It was only opened to the public in the 1980s, when it became a charity. The heat-sink caused by its thick walls, combined with the general waste heat of London itself, keeps the garden much

Rose Garden

Rose Garden

Parks

The roses are mixed with herbaceous plants and bedding flowers so there's always some horticultural interest no matter the time of year, though the roses' peak is in June. Two interesting fountains depict Diana the huntress and a boy seemingly wrestling a dolphin.

Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens

Parks

The western half of the twin parks and the half that is often forgotten in public consciousness. It tends to be more formal than its neighbouring park.

Albert Memorial

Albert Memorial

Museums

Highly detailed, Gothic-style monument to commemorate Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Opposite the Royal Albert Hall.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace

Museums

A royal residence which is still used by Prince William, Kate and their young family. Much of it is however open to the public and it is a very popular tourist attraction perhaps due as much to its association with Princess Diana as anything else. The King's Gallery here is a mag

The Serpentine Gallery

The Serpentine Gallery

Museums

A nice modern art gallery, near to the Serpentine. Too small to host a permanent collection, instead hosts temporary exhibitions which can last anything from a few weeks to over a year. Each summer a pavilion next to the gallery is designed by a different architect, which then ho

Roper's Garden

Parks

Small green area, with benches, by the Thames. Created in the crater of a World War II bomb site, it contains an ancient cherry tree to commemorate the visit of Gunji Koizumi, the man who introduced judo to the country. Named after Margaret Roper née More, to whom the area was a

Carlyle's House

Carlyle's House

Museums

Now preserved by the National Trust, this 18th-century house was the home of the historian Thomas Carlyle from 1834 and now houses a museum dedicated to his life and work.

Crosby Hall

Crosby Hall

Museums

All that remains of a Tudor mansion built in the City of London. In 1910, to avoid demolition to make way for a bank, it was moved brick by brick and reassembled at Cheyne Walk. It is now a Grade II* listed building and possibly the largest private home in the capital.

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital

Museums

A retirement home for soldiers created by King Charles II. Tours around the listed building and grounds are regular and include the museum (which can be visited separately) whose exhibits contain military memorabilia donated by Chelsea Pensioners over the years.

Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Museums

Constructed in the Lombard style as an Anglican church in the 19th century, and passed to the Moscow Patriarchate in 1956. Rather beautiful and unique in London.

Royal College of Music

Royal College of Music

Museums

Victorian school of music created on a suggestion by Prince Albert. It is still an active school but visitors may be more interested in its museum and performances. The free museum houses instruments dating back to the 15th century with several unusual pieces. Performances—by stu

Saatchi Gallery

Saatchi Gallery

Museums

Prestigious contemporary art gallery worth a visit.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market

Markets

The Kensington branch of this American chain of natural food supermarkets is the largest in the world.

Builders Arms

Builders Arms

Pubs

Gastropub near the Royal Marsden Hospital and just off the King's Rd.

Chelsea Potter

Chelsea Potter

Pubs

Traditional pub fare, but when warm outside, best people watching spot around. Also, Aussie and Kiwi barmen solidify the awesome environment here.

Chelsea Ram

Chelsea Ram

Pubs
Coopers Arms

Coopers Arms

Pubs

Great pints, including Peroni on tap. Best Sunday Roast around, and more of a gastropub than a traditional pub.

The Cross Keys

Pubs
The Fox and Pheasant

The Fox and Pheasant

Pubs
Maggie's

Maggie's

Pubs

1980s-themed nightclub. Named after 1980s prime minister Margaret Thatcher, whose speeches can be heard playing in the toilets. At the splurge level of costs, both to get in and at the bar.

The Phoenix

The Phoenix

Pubs

Great pints, tremendous place for a pint on a sunny day. be sure to grab one of the outdoor tables and enjoy a cool pint on a hot day here (when not raining in London).

Queens Head

Queens Head

Pubs

LGBT traditional pub; real ale and standard pub food separates it from the trendier Kings Rd establishments. Karaoke every other Saturday.

Courtfield

Courtfield

Pubs

CAMRA-listed gastropub, serving food and a range of beers.

Drayton Arms

Drayton Arms

Pubs

A mix of traditional pub and bohemian nightspot. A good range of beer and slightly more upmarket than some other pubs in the area.

Gloucester Arms

Gloucester Arms

Pubs

Traditional pub.

The Prince of Teck

The Prince of Teck

Pubs

Traditional pub downstairs with a dining area on the first floor.

The Queen's Head

The Queen's Head

Pubs
Troubadour Wines

Troubadour Wines

Pubs

This cozy wine bar is a quieter alternative to the buzz next door. With a great selection of wines from around the world, many of which are not available anywhere else in London, this is a peaceful oasis where you can discover delicious and good value wines. Drink in or take home

Zetland Arms

Zetland Arms

Pubs

Traditional pub near South Kensington station.

Hjem Kensington

Pubs

Popular Danish café.

Admiral Codrington

Admiral Codrington

Pubs

Gastropub.

The Antelope

The Antelope

Pubs

Traditional pub with many original features preserved from its Georgian origin.

The Hour Glass

The Hour Glass

Pubs

This small, triangular, very easy-going pub just a little away from the main street bustle is a favorite among the locals, above all because the seating inside is designed to prevent overcrowding, but also for its pavement seating and upscale gastropub fare.