The QLI team took a week out in South Kensington and Chelsea and boy did we stumble across some quirky finds. If you delve deep down the hidden streets of South Kensington combined with Chelsea you’ll find a rich mix of delicious restaurants, farmers markets, magnificent mansions, speakeasy’s, outdoor terraces, quirky boutiques and colourful streets.
Begin your day with some Breakfast at Bibendum quirky Michelin building café. Then it’s off to explore the retailers surrounding South Kensington station. Like Cheese? Step inside La Cave a wonderful cheese cavern offering the very best of primarily French and British cheeses. Stop off at the charming Victorian building at 47 Old Brompton Rd, home to The Hummingbird Bakery where you can stock up on delicious cupcakes that change with the seasons. Time for some culture, situated on Queensberry Place is an impressive listed art-deco building, the Institut Francais, the official French government centre of language and culture. There’s The Ciné Lumière and the stunning two-storey multi-media library a distinctive Grade II listed venue.
A short stroll away to South Kensington Farmers Market on Bute Street is where you can taste the fresh produce every Saturday between 9am-2pm. Continue your journey towards Pelham Crescent grade II listed Georgian houses and meander through the impressive mansions of Drayton Gardens, Kylie Minogue previously owned one of these Fabulous maisonettes.
Sydney St Is the next stop on the itinerary at the impressive and beautiful Church of St Lukes, Charles Dickens was married here on 2nd April 1836 to Catherine Hogarth. You might be lucky enough to catch a horse and carriage heading past transporting lucky guests to nearby luxury hotels. Hidden away in a little pedestrianised area on Sydney Street is The Chelsea Farmers Market. A market with a quirky difference, each outlet housed in pretty chalet style shops. Sip wine on picnic tables under the heated covered terrace at the unique Market Place Restaurant. There’s an attractive mix of a nail boutique, an ice cream shack Dri Dri Gelato, a pet grooming parlour Pet Pavillion, a garden centre The Chelsea Gardener, al fresco restaurants and wholly organic supermarket.
Nearby is Cale Street where you will discover the lovely serene surroundings of Chelsea Green with its village feel. Here you will find boutiques to suit everyone’s needs. Firstly check out Tom’s Kitchen serving up hearty meals. There’s The Pie Man on Chelsea Green, a gourmet food shop world famous for its award winning treats, taste posh fish and chips at Geales, meet the quirky Chelsea Fishmonger, walk around Jago Butchers, step into Finns Deli and Jane Asher home Baking Shop. Continue towards Elystan Street surrounded by charming boutiques such as Bobo Kids. Turn down the colourful Godfrey Street where every house is painted a different quirky colour, one of which is home to Chelsea Toy Store.
Afterwards head to Kings Road towards Duke of York square on Saturdays there’s a street market with plenty of character. Check out our guide to the best Quirky Bars and Restaurants around Sloane Square . A trip to Chelsea would not be complete without a visit to watch the Chelsea Pensioners roam around the beautiful Royal Hospital gardens. A scenic trail around the impressive nearby streets is a must, including attractive period buildings on Ormonde Gate, continue past writer Oscar Wildes house on Tite St and stop off at the Chelsea Physic Garden to see the winter snowdrops.
Hidden amongst the quiet back streets of Cheyne Row is the delightful home of Victorian writers Thomas and Jane Carlyles House enjoy their amusing letters! There are a number of roads with the word Cheyne in them around here lined with magnificent houses, each with their own unique stamp such as pink doors or unique number plates. Property developer Robert Bourne and his wife park their two luxury cars side by side outside their house in Cheyne Walk, recognisable by their personalised Shakespearean number plates – “2 BE” and “NOT 2B”
There’s also the Cheyne Walk blue plaques home to many famous residents poets, musicians and socialites George Eliot, JMW Turner, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Sylvia Pankhurst, Laurence Olivier and Mick Jagger to name but a few. Nearby Lots Road Auction House is the next stop, an Aladdin’s cave bursting with magnificent and extensive collection of quirky wonders from throughout history.
Nearing the end of the itinerary stroll past the 606 Club underground quirky jazz club towards Imperial Wharf where you can soak in the quirky architecture of the Rocal London Gallery complete your day with a night stroll around Chelsea Harbour followed by a romantic stroll past the 60 houseboats along Cheyne Pier and the stunning twinkling Albert Bridge.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
quirkylondonitinerary 