Searching for the best things to do in Chelsea, London? You’ll find more than a dozen of them in this complete guide to a very smart part of west London. As well as all the info you need regarding where to eat, shop, and stay while visiting the district.
The Chelsea area of London is associated with fashion, flowers, and football. Oh, and reality TV. Places to visit in Chelsea range from pretty parks and an army museum with free entry to a modern art gallery, a theatre, and a concert hall.
There’s also various tours you can take in this area, including hospital tours led by Chelsea Pensioners, Stamford Bridge football tours, and tours focusing on the Made in Chelsea TV show. And while shopping in Chelsea centres on the famous King’s Road, there are other places worth dropping into too.
Whether you’re wondering where to find Michelin-starred dining in Chelsea, want to know when the Chelsea Flower Show happens, or would like to enjoy open spaces by the river, read on. This is how to spend your time – and money – in London’s Chelsea neighbourhood.
Who is Chelsea best for?
- Fashionistas
- Football fans
- Avid gardeners
- Culture vultures
- Sloane ranger wannabes
Top 12 Things to Do in Chelsea
King’s Road
The King’s Road is one of the most famous parts of London, let alone Chelsea. This bustling thoroughfare has been at the forefront of British fashion since the 1960s, and is still favoured by the smart set.
Head here to shop till you drop, or to amble along while people watching.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
If your timing fits, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show is one of the top things to see in Chelsea.
It’s held in the Royal Hospital grounds during late May, and lasts for five days. Whether you want to shop for gardening goods, view the latest designs, or simply sniff the divine floral scents, you’ll be in heaven.
Chelsea Physic Garden
The oldest botanical garden in London is positioned by the Thames, west of the Royal Hospital.
It has grown plants for medicinal use since the late 17th century. Rare flora, greenhouses, and rock gardens all await at this peaceful place.
Chelsea Embankment
If you need to stretch your legs and are wondering what to do in Chelsea, another outdoor space to enjoy in this part of London is the riverside embankment.
Forming part of the Thames Embankment, the path can take you along by the water for a breath of fresh air, while seeing Chelsea and the Thames at walking pace.
Battersea Park
The biggest green space in the Chelsea area is Battersea Park, just over the water. You can reach it by wandering over the pretty Albert Bridge from Chelsea Embankment.
The large park is pet and family friendly, and offers an adventure playground, a boating lake, woodland, a bandstand, gardens, and London Peace Pagoda by the river. You can even visit a kids’ zoo or try Go Ape here.
Read more about things to do in Battersea
National Army Museum
The free-to-enter National Army Museum is in the heart of Chelsea, and is ideal for rainy days. Or indeed anyone interested in military history. You don’t need to book ahead, and the interesting exhibits cover from the 17th century to modern times.
Stamford Bridge stadium tour
While in Chelsea, no serious football fan can miss Stamford Bridge, and you can book a tour of the home of Chelsea Football Club to see behind the scenes.
Tours last for an hour and include the dressing rooms, the players’ tunnel, the pitch side, and the press room. You can also discover the on-site museum, in your own time, during your visit.
Click here to book a Chelsea Football Club stadium tour
Chelsea Pensioner tour of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Led by the red-clad army veterans that are the Chelsea pensioners, these walking tours take you through the history of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
During the 90-minute tour you’ll see buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and learn all about the hospital’s past patients. Book a tour and you’ll also be allocated a half hour slot for the gift shop and museum.
Made in Chelsea tour
If you want to see the Made in Chelsea places that have starred on TV, you can take a specially designed, self-guided tour. Commencing in Sloane Square, you’ll visit various sites from the hit TV series, before ending at the Bluebird cafe on King’s Road. Around 20 locations are included in-between.
Click here to book a Made in Chelsea self-guided tour
Royal Court Theatre
Whether you’re into writing for the stage or watching a performance, the Royal Court Theatre is for you. It’s on Sloane Square, and specialises in cultivating new and established writing talent.
There’s a bookshop, a bar and kitchen, and writer’s groups. You can check out what’s on, and also book backstage tours.
Cadogan Hall
If you prefer music to theatre, take a look at the concert programme at Cadogan Hall, which includes comedy, dance, film, and vocal performances, as well as music from various genres.
This 950-seat venue is situated on Sloane Terrace, and is the permanent home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The attractive, historic concert hall dates from the early 20th century.
Saatchi Gallery
When art is your thing, the Saatchi Gallery has to be one of the must-visit attractions in Chelsea.
The gallery has been open since 1985, and showcases modern art. If you want to see the work of emerging artists, this contemporary gallery and charity is the place to be.
Where to Stay in Chelsea
Hotels
- £££ – The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel | 5* | Restaurants, bar, gym, & spa | On Sloane Street
- £££ – 11 Cadogan Gardens | 5* | Restaurant, bar, & gym | On Sloane Square
- £££ – Chelsea Harbour Hotel and Spa | 5* | Restaurant, bar, gym, pool, & spa | At Chelsea Harbour
- ££ – Sloane Place | 4* | Restaurant, bar, & 24-hour reception | On Lower Sloane Street
- ££ – Chelsea Cloisters | 4* | Apartments with kitchen, bar, & 24-hour reception | On Sloane Avenue
- ££ – Millennium & Copthorne Hotels | 4* | Restaurant, bar, & room service | At Chelsea Football Club
- £ – Sydney House | 4* | Room service & 24-hour reception | Between South Kensington & Chelsea
Where to Eat in Chelsea
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
This Royal Hospital Road restaurant is one of the top places to eat in Chelsea – and indeed the capital. It boasts three Michelin stars, so you’ll need to book a table as early as you can if you want to sample the celebrity’s chef’s a la carte or surprise menus.
Rabbit
This King’s Road restaurant sources ingredients from the owners’ farm in Sussex. It’s a sustainable eatery with a farm-to-table ethos and a neighbourhood feel. Expect good value, great small plates and set menus, and an outstanding Sunday lunch.
Bluebird
An eatery and hang-out favoured by the Made in Chelsea crowd, as well as other locals and visitors. The art deco venue on King’s Road offers an outdoor terrace, and serves a modern European menu.
VQ
Relaxed 24-hour dining is available at VQ Chelsea. Located on Fulham Road, it’s good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and even cocktails. There’s a wide-ranging menu and outdoor seating.
Chelsea Potter
This Kings Road pub is a traditional English boozer on the King’s Road. Expect a varied menu, sports on the big screen, and friendly staff. You can also sit outside, should you fancy a spot of sloane-watching.
Harwood Arms
If you want to sample London’s only Michelin-starred pub, head to the Harwood Arms. It’s an upmarket gastropub focusing on game and wild produce. The handmade Scotch eggs are a highlight.
Hollywood Arms
One of Chelsea’s most stylish pubs offers a beautiful, light-filled interior and fabulous food. It’s favoured by Sloane rangers, so head here for food, drinks, and a slice of local life – or the fantastic Sunday roast.
Peggy Porschen Chelsea
One of the most Instagram-famous bakeries in London is the very pink and pretty Peggy Porschen, which brands itself as the prettiest bakery in the world. With branches in Belgravia and Chelsea, just make sure to book ahead for morning and afternoon tea.
Where to Shop in Chelsea
King’s Road
This Chelsea shopping street is one of the most famous in London. It’s home to many of the best shops in Chelsea, so you might want to set a budget before visiting the many stylish boutiques.
Duke of York Square
Find one of the biggest branches of Zara in Europe here, as well as smart stores from other leading brands such as All Saints and Banana Republic.
Sloane Street
If you want to shop for designer threads and jewellery, head to Sloane Street. Many upmarket brands can be found here, including Hermes, Prada, Cartier, and Tiffany.
Lots Road
For something different, the range of Lots Road shops includes auction houses, antiques dealers, and independent boutiques.
Chelsea Farmers Market
Open daily, from 9.30am and operating until 6.30pm on weekdays and 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, Chelsea Farmers Market occupies a peaceful position off the King’s Road. This is not a farmer’s market in Chelsea, however, but a foodie hotspot featuring a courtyard surrounded by shops and eateries.
Christmas in Chelsea
Expect plenty of glitter and glitz in this stylish part of the Uk capital during the festive season. Across the area there’s a Christmas grotto, outdoor winter dining, live music and carols, and of course dazzling displays of lights and decorations.
How to Get to Chelsea
Underground station
- Sloane Square – Circle and District lines
Chelsea FAQs
Is Chelsea worth visiting?
Chelsea is famous for fashionable shops, the football club, and the annual flower show, among other things. It’s also one of London’s most desirable districts, being close to other smart west London areas and by the northern banks of the Thames.
Is Chelsea a posh part of London?
Yes, very. It’s the richest part of the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which in itself is a very affluent part of the UK capital. Chelsea is known for “sloanes,” or “sloane rangers.” These are upper class, or upper middle class, individuals who live or hang out in this part of London.
What Will You Do in Chelsea?
If you wanted to find fun things to do in Chelsea, we hope this guide has proved useful! From flowers or football to fashion, food, culture, and much more, this riverside district has lots to offer. It’s also unmissable when you want to see how the other half live!
Read next – London Area Guides
- Things to do in Covent Garden & Holborn
- Things to do in Tower Hill and Tower Bridge
- Things to do in Westminster (including Victoria/Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square)
- Things to do in Kensington (including South Kensington)
- Things to do in Greenwich
- Things to do in Mayfair
- Things to do in the City of London
- Things to do in Southwark & Bankside
- Things to do in Leicester Square and Soho
- Things to do in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
- Things to Do in Belgravia & Knightsbridge
- Things to do in Notting Hill
- Things to do in East London (Shoreditch & Spitalfields)
- Things to do in Marylebone
- Things to do in Paddington
- Things to do in Battersea
- Things to do in Piccadilly Circus
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