At less than five square miles, Kensington and Chelsea is smaller than any other London borough. But it is also among the most affluent. Like a Chelsea bun, these two areas have been mixed together to create something richer and more appealing than the sum of their parts. But where to begin finding the best places to live in Kensington and Chelsea, London’s most prestigious borough?
You really are spoiled for choice when it comes to property here, whether you’re a traditionalist or a trend setter. Drawing on the insights of HomeViews reviewers, we’ve compiled a helpful guide to help you get started. Read on to discover five of the best places to live in this premium corner of London.
5 Best places to live in Kensington and Chelsea
So, where is the cream of the crop for property across the borough? Take a look at our top 5 ranked developments. And remember, we have built our list determined solely by resident feedback to HomeViews.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
What makes Kensington and Chelsea a royal borough?
While many boroughs are described as ‘on the up,’ Kensington and Chelsea have been mainstays of high-society living for centuries. It’s one of only three ‘royal boroughs’ in London, having provided a royal residence in Kensington Palace since 1689.
Over the years, the architecture and design of the palace and its gardens has been touched by English masters. These include Wren, Hawksmoor, Vanbrugh and Gibbons. It was famously the childhood home of a young Alexandrina Victoria, who would later become Queen Victoria. She would, in later life, name the nearby Royal Albert Hall, which lies just south of Kensington Gardens, in her husband’s honour.
For those wondering who lives in Kensington Palace today, it currently serves as a royal residence to the Queen’s grandson and future heir, Prince William and his family. The families of some minor royals also live here.
Living in Kensington and Chelsea – The centre of London’s high life
South Kensington is regularly name-dropped by those offering advice for what to do in central London. The area boasts three of the country’s most popular museums – the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A. All of them are within short walking distance and all offer free admission.
While Notting Hill hosts the world’s biggest carnival after Rio de Janeiro, Chelsea is the ‘showier’ side of the borough. This is evident in lending its name to the fashionable ‘Chelsea boot’ in the 1960s, it’s smartly turned out Chelsea pensioners, and for the preponderance or ‘Chelsea Tractors’ – the 4×4 status symbol vehicles commonly seen in this area during school pick-up!
Speaking of showy, Chelsea annually plays host to the RHS Flower Show. This is the pre-eminent flower and landscape gardening event in the UK, if not the world. Prizes here are highly coveted and the attraction is a must-see for even amateur horticulturists.
Where to eat in Kensington and Chelsea, and where to shop!
Shopaholics can easily lose themselves with the scale and variety of retail opportunities across the borough. You can also break up the day with lunch at a staggering number of fine eateries. Whether exploring the latest trends at the artsy Kings Road scene, picking up a rare find at the Portobello Road antiques market, or enjoying some retail therapy in the boutique concessions of Harrods, Knightsbridge, the shopping and dining options in Kensington and Chelsea are essentially endless.
For a more relaxed morning boost, Francophiles may wish to head over to Bute Street for a proper croissant and coffee. The area is home to a large number of French ex-pats and offers all the delights of French café culture.
Average property prices in Kensington and Chelsea
Thanks to its prestigious history, central location and access to high-end amenities, property in Kensington and Chelsea unsurprisingly commands some of the highest prices in the capital.
Average sales prices for property in Kensington and Chelsea in the 12 months to September 2024 were an eye-watering £2,306,000.
However, this can easily shoot up even higher for properties with extra bedrooms and privacy. The average price for a terraced house hovers just over £4 million, while the small number of semi-detached properties sold across the year fetched in excess of £7 million on average.
Renting in this borough is also pricey. The average rental price for a property in Kensington and Chelsea is £5,000 per calendar month, which is almost double the London average.
If you are interested in finding out more about this famous borough, head on over to our Kensington and Chelsea page for more tips and information.
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
