Ember Locke | Area Guide

Glamour, iconic architecture, and lots of green spaces. Discover the best things to do in Kensington.

There are so many things to do in and around Kensington. Here at Ember Locke, you're right in the heart of the action.

Explore iconic attractions, hidden gems, and after-dark boltholes. High-end boutiques and vintage shopping. Grand palaces and royal parks. Upmarket eateries and more museums that you could dream of. Indulge in the opulence and enjoy this sought-after West London neighbourhood.

Things to do in Kensington.

Get to know your new neighbourhood.

Not sure where to start? We've rounded up a range of West London's most exciting attractions and spots not to miss during your stay at Ember Locke.

Kensington High Street
Kensington High St, London
Home to fashion boutiques, bespoke travel agents and outdoor retailers, Japan House, Kensington Palace, the Design Museum, cafés and restaurants.
0.7 miles, 16 min walk
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD
A world-class attraction and research centre showcasing 80 million objects and a story of natural history discovery in an interactive experience.
0.8 miles, 18 min walk
Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP
One of the most famous music venues in the world. This historic venue is a must-visit for music lovers.
1.1 miles, 25 mins' walk
V&A Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London, SW7 2RL
Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design, with over 2.27 million objects.
1 mile, 22 min walk
Kyoto Gardens
Holland Park
A vision of Japan in London, with colourful blossom trees, rock waterfalls and stone lanterns. It's a serene escape from the speed of the city.
0.9 miles, 20 mins' walk
The Design Museum
224-238 Kensington High St
Exhibiting product, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design, this museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the design world.
0.4 miles, 10 mins' walk

Restaurants & bars in Kensington.

All the best spots for eating and drinking.

Name a cuisine or a beverage and we bet you'll find it in Kensington. Chefs, bakers, brewers, distillers and taste crafters from around the world flock here to share their creations. So if you love to eat and drink, know that you're in the right place.

Angelsea Arms
15 Selwood Terrace, South Kensington, London SW7 3QG
Set in a grade II listed building the Angelsea Arms is a local spot that always pulls in the crowds whether it's for after work beers or Sunday lunch.
0.9 miles, 19 mins' walk
Buns from Home
92 Holland Park Ave, W11 3RB
Starting as home delivery during COVID, this bakery now has shops across the city selling their infamous buns. Try the cinnamon and cardamom buns.
1.2 miles, 25 mins' walk
Dinings SW3
Walton House, Walton St, SW3 2JH
A modern and elegant take on the Japanese Izayaka weaving in European flavours making this a stand out spot.
1.4 miles, 29 mins' walk
La Mia Mamma
257 King's Rd, SW3 5EL
With a rotation of Italian ‘Mammas’ from different regions of Italy find homecooked food with passion and soul.
1.3 miles, 27 mins' walk
Layla
332 Portobello Rd, London W10 5PQ
Serving up artisanal breads and fresh pastries by day and natural wines and pizza by night. The perfect spot for a weekday bite.
2.4 miles, 15 mins' taxi
Nocturne
Bina Gardens, SW5 0BA
Inspired by the prohibition era, this small cocktail bar is a cave of interconnecting rooms where the piano takes centre stage for live performances.
0.6 miles, 13 mins' walk
The Pelican
45 All Saints Rd, W11 1HE
Newly revived The Pelican is having a moment. A spot for great food and a wide selection of drinks, find a cool crowd and lots of character.
2.1 miles, 27 mins' tube

What's on at Ember Locke?

There's no shortage of things to do in Kensington. But if you're looking for entertainment a bit closer to home, check out our in-house events.

Every Wednesday

Leman Locke

5K Running Club

Lace up your running shoes and join us for a 5K around the Aldgate neighbourhood.

Various dates

Buckle Street Mezzanine

Between the Covers: Book Club

Monthly Book Club get-together to chat about Leman’s book of the month.

Thursdays and Sundays

KRAFT Dalston, Kingsland Locke

KRAFT Dalston Brewery Tour & Tasting

Get immersed behind the scenes of KRAFT Dalston's unique set up at Kingsland Locke, in these weekly brewery tours.

Tuesday 30th November

Bermonds Locke

Drag Bingo with Karla Bear

Drag Bingo with West End star Karla Bear.

Last Thursday of every month

Co-working space, Bermonds Locke

Cocktail Masterclass

A series of cocktail masterclasses.

Discover more events.

Earth Day: Embracing Urban Rewilding.

This Earth Day we are looking at our Locke properties that have incorporated re-wilding aspects into their design and surrounding areas.

Our favourite restaurants in Kensington, West London

West London knows how to eat. There’s the cool Kensington restaurants. Fancy Chelsea restaurants, Elegant post-gallery bites. And as local residents Ember Locke aparthotel, we know where to recommend.

Your guide to festive food and drinks at Locke.

Discover this season's festive flavours at Locke. From Middle Eastern inspired small plates to unique festive coffee blends. Here’s your round up of Locke’s food and drink offerings over December.

Celebrating Locke's artistic community.

2023 celebrates the 20th anniversary of Frieze London with a focus on highlighting up-and-coming artists and more recent galleries. We delve into art near our London Lockes and how we support artists.