Amalgamated with the Royal Borough of Kensington in 1965 to become the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the area is thus part of the wealthiest borough in the UK. This being the case, it will not surprise you to know that Chelsea hotels are among the best in London.
The Royal Hospital
The history of this famous old hospital dates as far back as 1682, to the reign of King Charles II. He set up the facility to provide soldiers with a pleasant place to stay in their retirement, and it continues to serve this purpose today. The Chelsea Pensioners and their red uniforms are one of the most evocative symbols of London, and
The Royal Hospital is one of the city's most treasured institutions.
Blooming Marvellous
Of course, the hospital's other function is carried out every May in the form of the
Chelsea Flower Show. Run by the Royal Horticultural Society, it is held in the hospital grounds and is widely acknowledged as one of the most important flower shows in the world.
The event enjoys extensive television coverage, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and offers awards for the best garden or flower arrangement, tree exhibit, vegetable exhibit, items of scientific interest and floral photography. If gardens are your thing and you aren't lucky enough to be visiting Chelsea in May, head over to the idyllic Chelsea Physic Garden, established in 1673 with the aim of helping botanists understand the medicinal properties of plants.
Shopping on the King's Road
Arguably London's coolest street, King's Road was at the forefront of the heralded 1960s fashion scene, with the new mini-skirt finding its home here alongside the famous Vivienne Westwood and Malcom McLaren boutique
Let It Rock. These days, it is slighter more upmarket, but remains just as fashionable.
It is here that you will find the mesmerising Saatchi Gallery, while its history of trend-setting continued into the late 1990s with the arrival of London's first Starbucks coffee shop. The road is even cool in fiction, as Ian Fleming's James Bond novels reveal the spy has a home "just off the King's Road".
Getting around Chelsea
Surrounded by popular tourist areas such as Kensington, Earls Court and Belgravia, Chelsea has many decent access points, particularly at either end of the King's Road. If you want to start from the west and move back towards the city centre, get off at Fulham Broadway tube station on the District Line. This will actually take you out of Chelsea into neighbouring Fulham, but it is right on the border. It is also close to Chelsea Football Club's Stamford Bridge stadium, which is also technically outside the Chelsea boundary.
If you would prefer to start on the east side of the King's Road, try Sloane Street on the Circle and District Lines. This is also close to the Royal Hospital and the Saatchi Gallery. For buses along this street, take number 11 through the City and Westminster, number 22 from Piccadilly Circus or number 19 down from Oxford Street and Kings Cross.
Hotels in Chelsea
Chelsea's location in West London means it shares neighbouring Kensington's tendency towards luxurious, often boutique hotels. Stunning 5*
Blakes Hotel, stylish, conveniently located
Sloane Square Hotel and inventively decorated boutique establishment
myhotel Chelsea are just some of the options available.
Pubs and Bars in Chelsea
As well as being a superb luxury hotel,
Blakes also possesses a wonderful bar that presents visitors with a enjoyable, lengthy cocktail menu that is bound to have something to tempt you. If wine is more your scene, The Henry Root is the place to go. Taking its name from alias of the famous 1980s satirist William Donaldson, who lived nearby, the bar offers a selection of over 200 wines. Alternatively, The Hollywood Arms is an atmospheric gastropub with a variety of well kept beers and spirits.
Restaurants in Chelsea
TV chef Tom Aikens' restaurant,
Tom's Kitchen, is a real gastronomic highlight, serving quality British/French fare that looks as good as it tastes, and has been awarded Best Breakfast in London by Time Out magazine. If you prefer Asian cuisine, Eight Over Eight does the best Oriental dishes in the area, while Le Cercle is the best option for classic French cooking.
Parking in Chelsea
Parking facilities are decidedly scarce in Chelsea. What
NCP car parks there are can be found just outside the Chelsea area in Belgravia. Cadogan Place (SW1X 9SA) and London Victoria (SW1W 9QL) are both relatively close to the top of the King's Road.