Guide to Chelsea Boutique Bolthole
Grocery shopping
Your local supermarket - two minutes from the flat. Waitrose is a major chain, and considered by most to be a premium supermarket. You'll find everything you need, despite it's small size.
It's a favourite with celebrities, so keep your eyes peeled. It's mostly popular with British celebrities - many of whom live nearby - but we've spotted Dame Maggie Smith, Felicity Kendal, Ian Hislop and more.
122 locals recommend
Waitrose & Partners
196 King's RdYour local supermarket - two minutes from the flat. Waitrose is a major chain, and considered by most to be a premium supermarket. You'll find everything you need, despite it's small size.
It's a favourite with celebrities, so keep your eyes peeled. It's mostly popular with British celebrities - many of whom live nearby - but we've spotted Dame Maggie Smith, Felicity Kendal, Ian Hislop and more.
Food scene
The Saturday food market at Duke of York Square, 5 minutes from the flat, is the spot to buy a delicious lunch, coffee or snack. Browse the stalls, order a meal, then take it to eat in the benches on the square or on the steps of the Saatchi Gallery behind, next to the huge green field. (You can't usually eat ON the green field as it's private and used by the local schools during the week.)
44 locals recommend
Duke of York Square Food Market
The Saturday food market at Duke of York Square, 5 minutes from the flat, is the spot to buy a delicious lunch, coffee or snack. Browse the stalls, order a meal, then take it to eat in the benches on the square or on the steps of the Saatchi Gallery behind, next to the huge green field. (You can't usually eat ON the green field as it's private and used by the local schools during the week.)
Popular pub, 2 minutes from the flat. Does food, too, which is usually pretty good.
62 locals recommend
The Builders Arms
13 Britten StPopular pub, 2 minutes from the flat. Does food, too, which is usually pretty good.
Drinks
Another popular local pub, which we slightly prefer to the Builders as there's a bit more space. It's about 5 minutes walk from the flat. The food here isn't as good as the builders, but is pretty decent.
12 locals recommend
Coopers Arms, Chelsea
87 Flood StAnother popular local pub, which we slightly prefer to the Builders as there's a bit more space. It's about 5 minutes walk from the flat. The food here isn't as good as the builders, but is pretty decent.
Popular pub, 2 minutes from the flat. Does food, too, which is usually pretty good.
62 locals recommend
The Builders Arms
13 Britten StPopular pub, 2 minutes from the flat. Does food, too, which is usually pretty good.
Best coffee shop for miles around (except the Ethiopian Stall on the Saturday market at Duke of York Square). 2 minutes from the flat, opposite Waitrose.
Tiny, so it's mostly for take-aways, but there are a few seats inside and benches out front.
You can buy bags of coffee from them, too (ask them to grind it for you) if you want excellent coffee to have in the flat.
Hagen Espresso Bar
151 King's RdBest coffee shop for miles around (except the Ethiopian Stall on the Saturday market at Duke of York Square). 2 minutes from the flat, opposite Waitrose.
Tiny, so it's mostly for take-aways, but there are a few seats inside and benches out front.
You can buy bags of coffee from them, too (ask them to grind it for you) if you want excellent coffee to have in the flat.
Shopping
The major department store - actually part of the national John Lewis chain, but an anomaly with its own name (Peter Jones) for historic reasons.
Has everything you'd expect from a department store - clothes, bedding, kitchenware, accessories, skincare, etc.
120 locals recommend
Peter Jones & Partners
Sloane SquareThe major department store - actually part of the national John Lewis chain, but an anomaly with its own name (Peter Jones) for historic reasons.
Has everything you'd expect from a department store - clothes, bedding, kitchenware, accessories, skincare, etc.
Sightseeing
Wonderful museum, and completely free if you don't go to the special exhibition. Has a little of everything, but Fashion Through The Ages and the Sculpture hall are favourites. You could spend hours or days here!
The main shop - right behind the main entrance - is the best place to get unique and affordable souvenirs to take back home.
1694 locals recommend
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell RoadWonderful museum, and completely free if you don't go to the special exhibition. Has a little of everything, but Fashion Through The Ages and the Sculpture hall are favourites. You could spend hours or days here!
The main shop - right behind the main entrance - is the best place to get unique and affordable souvenirs to take back home.
One of the most extraordinary buildings in the country. Even if you have no interest in animals or natural history, it is worth coming here - it's free! - to look inside at the architecture. It was built as a 'cathedral to nature', and it's a delight.
1954 locals recommend
Natural History Museum
Cromwell RoadOne of the most extraordinary buildings in the country. Even if you have no interest in animals or natural history, it is worth coming here - it's free! - to look inside at the architecture. It was built as a 'cathedral to nature', and it's a delight.
A modern art gallery with changing exhibitions, right behind Duke of York Square and about 8 minutes walk from the flat. What you'll find inside varies from brilliant to baffling, depending on the exhibition.
It's usually free, but they do have occasional paid blockbuster exhibitions - past ones include the Rolling Stones and Tutankhamen - and these are usually well worth the money if you're very interested in the subject matter, but these paid exhibitions do tend to be expensive and booked up far ahead.
585 locals recommend
Saatchi Gallery
King's RdA modern art gallery with changing exhibitions, right behind Duke of York Square and about 8 minutes walk from the flat. What you'll find inside varies from brilliant to baffling, depending on the exhibition.
It's usually free, but they do have occasional paid blockbuster exhibitions - past ones include the Rolling Stones and Tutankhamen - and these are usually well worth the money if you're very interested in the subject matter, but these paid exhibitions do tend to be expensive and booked up far ahead.
All science, all the time. You'll find space ships, engine parts, interactive areas and more.
Free (except for the special exhibitions) and worth popping into, but of the three South Kensington Museums, this is my least fave, but it's still good. If you have kids, though, it's a must!
10-12 minutes' walk from the flat.
1157 locals recommend
Science Museum
Exhibition RoadAll science, all the time. You'll find space ships, engine parts, interactive areas and more.
Free (except for the special exhibitions) and worth popping into, but of the three South Kensington Museums, this is my least fave, but it's still good. If you have kids, though, it's a must!
10-12 minutes' walk from the flat.
Green spaces
The closest major park to the flat, cross over the pretty Albert Bridge, and you'll be in the park within 15 minutes of walking out the flat's front door.
Stroll along the river, or go inside to the little lakes. Much of the middle of the park is given over to games, so big stretches of lawn, but there are also huge areas where you picnic.
935 locals recommend
Battersea Park
Battersea Park RoadThe closest major park to the flat, cross over the pretty Albert Bridge, and you'll be in the park within 15 minutes of walking out the flat's front door.
Stroll along the river, or go inside to the little lakes. Much of the middle of the park is given over to games, so big stretches of lawn, but there are also huge areas where you picnic.
This is attached to Hyde Park, and is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two. Stroll around the pond, through the trees and get up close to Kensington Palace. If you're happy to pay, you can even go inside the palace, which is very interesting.
If you have time, look on a map for the Italian water gardens in the north of the park. Well worth a detour.
You can be here after about 20 minutes on foot from the flat, or faster if you take a city bike.
664 locals recommend
Kensington Gardens
This is attached to Hyde Park, and is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two. Stroll around the pond, through the trees and get up close to Kensington Palace. If you're happy to pay, you can even go inside the palace, which is very interesting.
If you have time, look on a map for the Italian water gardens in the north of the park. Well worth a detour.
You can be here after about 20 minutes on foot from the flat, or faster if you take a city bike.
A huge, sprawling park, packed with interesting areas - rose garden, sculptures, cafes, a lake and more. Definitely worth exploring on a sunny day. Hop on a city bike to take it all in, or just head straight to the Serpentine (river - but looks more like a lake) to get to the heart of the action.
20 minutes walk from the flat.
3079 locals recommend
Hyde Park
A huge, sprawling park, packed with interesting areas - rose garden, sculptures, cafes, a lake and more. Definitely worth exploring on a sunny day. Hop on a city bike to take it all in, or just head straight to the Serpentine (river - but looks more like a lake) to get to the heart of the action.
20 minutes walk from the flat.