- Sloane Square. Circle and District lines, at the east end of the King's Road
- South Kensington. Piccadilly, Circle and District lines, with a direct line to Heathrow
- Imperial Wharf. London Overground and Southern trains, by Chelsea Harbour
- Fulham Broadway. District line, at the western edge of Chelsea
- Buses. Routes 11 and 22 run the length of the King's Road
- River bus. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers calls at Cadogan Pier and Chelsea Harbour at certain times of day
Chelsea guide
Chelsea, between the King's Road and the river
Chelsea is London's riverside village: garden squares and red brick, a royal road lined with shops and galleries, and a walk along the Thames to Albert Bridge. These are the places we send our guests.
The King's Road, end to end
Built as Charles II's private road to Hampton Court and later Kew, it became a public street only in 1830. Today it runs for just under two miles from Sloane Square, past World's End, to the edge of Fulham, lined with shops, galleries and cafés.
- Sloane SquareThe Royal Court Theatre and Peter Jones.
- Duke of York SquareThe Saatchi Gallery and a Saturday food market.
- Royal AvenueA gravelled avenue towards the Royal Hospital.
- Markham SquareWhere Mary Quant opened Bazaar in 1955.
- Chelsea Old Town HallWhere Judy Garland married in 1969.
- Old Church StreetDown to the river and Chelsea Old Church.
- BluebirdA 1923 motor garage, now a restaurant and café.
- Beaufort StreetDown to Battersea Bridge.
- World's EndVivienne Westwood's shop, with a clock that runs backwards.
Where we send our guests
Chosen by us, checked in October 2026. Opening days change through the year, so look before you go.
The river and the gardens
Chelsea faces the Thames, and some of its best hours are spent beside it.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Royal Hospital RoadFounded by the Society of Apothecaries in 1673 and still growing more than 4,500 useful, medicinal and edible plants behind its old walls. Website
Albert Bridge and the Embankment
Chelsea EmbankmentThe bridge of 1873 still asks marching troops to break step. Walk the Embankment that Sir Joseph Bazalgette laid out in the 1870s, with the river on one side and Chelsea's grandest houses on the other.
Cheyne Walk
By the riverThe riverside street of Turner, Whistler, Rossetti and George Eliot. Whistler completed his Nocturnes of the Thames while living here. Look out for the blue plaques.
Chelsea Old Church
Cheyne WalkSir Thomas More rebuilt its south chapel in 1528, and Sir Hans Sloane is buried here. The church was rebuilt after the bombing of 1941.
Battersea Park
Across Albert BridgeA Victorian park on the south bank, with lakes, gardens and the London Peace Pagoda looking back across the river to Chelsea.
Art, history and the stage
Chelsea has drawn artists, writers and actors for three centuries.
Saatchi Gallery
King's RoadContemporary art in the Duke of York's Headquarters, a building of 1801, a short walk from Sloane Square. Open every day. Website
Royal Hospital Chelsea
Royal Hospital RoadFounded by Charles II and designed by Sir Christopher Wren, home to the Chelsea Pensioners in their scarlet coats. Guided tours are led by a Pensioner. Website
National Army Museum
Royal Hospital RoadFree to visit, next door to the Royal Hospital. Website
The Carlyles' House
Cheyne RowThe home of Thomas and Jane Carlyle from 1834, where Charles Darwin, Thackeray and Mazzini came to call and Chopin played Jane's piano. Kept by the National Trust; book ahead. Website
Royal Court Theatre
Sloane SquareNew writing on Sloane Square since 1956, when Look Back in Anger opened here. Website
Cadogan Hall
Sloane TerraceA church of 1907, a concert hall since 2004. Website
Eat and drink
From a three star dinner to breakfast on Sloane Square.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Royal Hospital RoadThree Michelin stars in the 2026 guide.
Elystan Street
Elystan StreetPhilip Howard's neighbourhood restaurant, with one Michelin star.
Corenucopia by Clare Smyth
Holbein PlaceClare Smyth's restaurant just off Sloane Square, with one Michelin star in the 2026 guide.
Colbert
Sloane SquareA Parisian café on the square, open from breakfast until late.
Bluebird
King's RoadA 1923 motor garage on the King's Road, now a restaurant and café.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
King's RoadLong lunches and a garden behind the King's Road.
No. Fifty Cheyne
Cheyne WalkDinner on Cheyne Walk, looking towards the river.
The Sea, The Sea
Pavilion RoadSeafood on Chelsea's favourite street of food shops.
Shops and markets
Chelsea shops the way it always has: slowly, and well.
Duke of York Square market
King's RoadFood stalls every Saturday, run by Cadogan.
Pavilion Road
Behind Sloane StreetLondon's longest mews, its old stables now a street of independent bakers, butchers and grocers.
John Sandoe Books
Blacklands TerraceA much loved independent bookshop just off the King's Road, open since 1957. Website
Peter Jones
Sloane SquareThe department store on Sloane Square, in its glass building of the 1930s.
Worlds End
King's RoadVivienne Westwood's shop at number 430, under its thirteen hour clock.
Daylesford
Pimlico RoadAn organic farm shop and café, a short walk from Sloane Square.
Chelsea, by the season
The neighbourhood's year, month by month.
Dates move from year to year. We confirm what is on during your stay when we send your arrival details.
Getting around
Chelsea is quiet, but never far from anywhere. These are the stations and journeys you are most likely to use.
| To | How | About |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | District or Circle line from Sloane Square | 2 min |
| Paddington | Circle line from Sloane Square | 17 min |
| St Pancras International | District, then Victoria line | 19 min |
| Heathrow, Terminals 2 and 3 | Piccadilly line from South Kensington | 42 min |
| Gatwick Airport | To Victoria, then Southern or the Gatwick Express | 47 min |
| Knightsbridge and Harrods | On foot from Sloane Square | 14 min |
| Hyde Park | On foot from Sloane Square | 17 min |
Typical off peak times from TfL's journey planner, station to station, checked in October 2026. Allow time to walk to the station, and more at busy times.