High Street Kensington

High Street Kensington is a District and Circle line station at the commercial centre of Kensington, one of London's most distinctly upmarket boroughs. The high street immediately outside runs both east and west with a mix of major retailers, independent shops and the Kensington Market area. Kensington Palace - the working royal residence and birthplace of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana - is 10 minutes walk north through Kensington Gardens. Holland Park, one of London's most beautiful and formally landscaped parks, is 5 minutes walk west.

The Design Museum, relocated to Kensington from Bermondsey in 2016, sits in the former Commonwealth Institute building on Kensington High Street - it is one of the better-designed contemporary museum buildings in London and has both a permanent collection (free entry) and rotating paid exhibitions on design, architecture and fashion.

Station Overview

High Street Kensington opened in 1868 on the District line and also serves the Circle line. It sits in Zone 1 and is not step-free.

Lines and Connectivity

The District line (green) and Circle line (yellow) both stop here. Eastbound trains run toward Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Sloane Square and Victoria. Westbound trains run toward Earl's Court and the District line's western branches.

Facilities

High Street Kensington has toilets, shops, cafes and an information point. Kensington High Street outside has extensive retail, cafes and restaurants.

Accessibility

High Street Kensington is not step-free. Earl's Court (step-free on District line) is several stops west.

Travel Tips

• Kensington Palace and gardens are 10 minutes walk north - the State Rooms require a ticket; the Kensington Gardens surrounding the palace are free
• Holland Park (5 minutes walk west) is one of London's most beautiful parks, with formal Italianate gardens, peacocks and the Holland Park Theatre open-air opera in summer
• The Design Museum on the High Street has a free permanent collection - the building itself (former Commonwealth Institute) is architecturally outstanding

Nearby Attractions

Kensington Palace - 10 minutes walk north. Working royal residence with State Rooms open to visitors (admission charged) and free public gardens.

Holland Park - 5 minutes walk west. A formal park with Italianate gardens, woodland, peacocks and the open-air Holland Park Theatre (summer opera). Free entry to the park.

Design Museum - On Kensington High Street. Contemporary design, architecture and fashion museum. Free permanent collection; rotating exhibitions charged.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Rush hours 08:00-09:30 and 17:30-19:30. Kensington Palace is busiest on weekends and school holidays - book in advance. Holland Park is best on weekday mornings.