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History of Kensington
Kensington was undeveloped until the mid-19th century, being an agricultural area supplying London with fruit and vegetables. The 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park resulted in the foundation of the museums and university. Landowners began to develop their land in the 1860s as a result of the creation of new roads and an overall boom in the development of areas around London.
Kensington High Street is a busy upmarket commercial centre with many shops. The street was declared London's second best shopping street in February 2005.
Kensington's second activity centre is South Kensington, where a variety of small shops are clustered close to the Underground station. This is also the southern end of Exhibition Road, the thoroughfare that links the area's museums and educational institutions together.
In the north east, the large Royal Park of Kensington Gardens which join with Hyde Park is always busy with strollers. The other main green area in Kensington is Holland Park, just north of Kensington High Street, whilst Kensington has numerous small residential garden squares.
Extremely affluent, Kensington has some of London's most expensive streets and gardens squares, including Edwardes Square, Earls Terrace - an exclusive redevelopment of Georgian Houses, The Phillimores, and Wycombe Square - a new build development done to a very high standard. In early 2007, houses have sold in Upper Phillimore Gardens for in excess of £20 million.
The choice of properties is great, ranging from studio flats to grand houses and a favourite area in London due to the quality of the properties, its proximity to parks, shops and other areas like Knightsbridge or Notting Hill. You are never too far from a top restaurant or bar.
Places of interest
http://www.kensington-chelsea.com/
http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/Boro/Kensington-and-Chelsea
http://www.mykensington.co.uk/kensington/community-history.htm
• Kensington Gardens • Science Museum • Victoria and Albert Museum • Natural History Museum • Hyde park • Holland Park
Transport Links – Visit Transport for London for more information
Earls Court – District & Picadilly Lines
Gloucester Road – Circle, District & Picadilly Lines
Knightsbridge – Picadilly Lines
South Kensington – Circle, District & Picadilly Lines
Local Authority
Kensington & Chelsea – http://www.camden.gov.uk/
Council tax bands for 2008/2009
Please note you should always check the value of your property on the 1st April 1991 to ensure you are in the correct council tax band.
 Council Tax band |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
Property Values
as of April 1991 |
Up to
£40K |
£40
to £52K |
£52K
to £68K |
£68K
to £88K |
£88K
to £120K |
£120K
to £160K |
£160K
to £320K |
over
£320K |
| K&C LA |
£687.44 |
£802 |
£916.58 |
£1,031.15 |
£1,260.30 |
£1,489.44 |
£1,718.59 |
£2,062.30 |
Average Rental and Sale prices for Kensington (W8, W14)
| |
Postcode |
Area |
1 Bedrooms |
2 Bedrooms |
3 Bedrooms |
Bigger |
| To Rent |
W8 |
Kensington |
£506 pw |
£896 pw |
£1,726 pw |
£2,634 pw |
|
W14 |
West Kensington |
£318 pw |
£499 pw |
£692 pw |
£1,435 pw |
| For Sale |
W8 |
Kensington |
£569,000 |
£1,350,000 |
£1,691,000 |
£4,218,000 |
|
W14 |
West Kensington |
£379,000 |
£574,000 |
£924,000 |
£1,745,000 |
School League tables – Click here for School League Tables
For Primary Schools in Kensington & Chelsea please click here
For Secondary Schools in Kensington & Chelsea please click here
For colleges in Kensington & Chelsea please click here
Please click here to go back to the Area Guides main menu
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