Get Awed by Chelsea Hidden Jewels

The posh and upmarket neighbourhood of Chelsea has been a favourite hangout of people visiting London for long. Home to the rich and famous, the area is also noted for its classy boutiques, fancy shopping markets, award winning pubs & restaurants and rich history. All these coupled with its location makes Chelsea, a place worth visiting. No wonder the area is compared with some of the other popular neighbourhoods of Paris, New York and Singapore and is one of the many reasons why many tourists prefer to stay in the serviced apartments located there.

The Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea

Once a part of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea from 1900 and 1965, the neighbourhood was merged with the neighbouring Metropolitan Borough of Kensington in 1965 to form the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as per the London Government Act 1963.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Together the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea form one of the wealthiest boroughs of England next only to the City of Westminster. On the west the borough is surrounded by the City of Westminster and to the east by Hammersmith & Fulham and has under its ambit some of the most expensive districts of London like Bayswater ,Belgravia, Earl's Court, Notting Hill, Brompton, West Brompton, Kensington, Knightsbridge Ladbroke Grove and not to mention Chelsea itself. This is where the rich and famous of London lives and where one (if lucky) can find some of the royals dining in one of the many upmarket restaurants there. Just Imagine what it will be like if you can rent a holiday apartment there! Who knows your next door neighbour could turn out to a movie star or a footballer.

However, it’s not just the presence of stars that gives the neighbourhood its distinct aura. There are several attractions –museums, galleries, shopping markets that together have gone to make what the area is today. Have a look what those attractions are:

King’s Road Gallery: A hidden jewel just off the King’s road market, the gallery displays some of the finest contemporary art from Asia and Europe.

Chelsea Old Town Hall - Once known for its Victorian murals, many of which have now been restored. A must visit for art lover -opened from Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm

Chelsea Physic Garden - the second oldest botanical garden in Britain and home to over 5000 species of plants including the largest olive tree in Britain and an outdoor grapefruit tree.

Royal Hospital Chelsea –Once a retirement home for some 300 odd British soldiers who were deemed unfit for further duty due to injury or old age, the hospital now serves the ground for the famous Chelsea Flower Show. Other attractions within the hospital include the Great Hall, the Chapel and the Royal Hospital Chelsea Museum where one can find memorabilia associated with the Duke of Wellington. The best part of the hospital however is its proximity to many short term lets and holiday apartments, which works as a charm for people coming to London for the Chelsea Flower Show.

The Victoria & Albert Museum - the world’s largest museum, home to over 4.5 million objects from round the world. Of noteworthy is its collection of post-classical sculpture-reported to be the largest in the world, the Islamic collection & arts from South Asia, and East Asia. Entry is free and is opened all seven days.

Saatchi Gallery- Another gallery dealing with contemporary art known for displaying arts of unknown artists.

Carlyle’s House–Thomas Carlyle’s beautiful terraced houses –a favourite among both lovers of history and literature. On display are Carlyle personal books, furniture’s & pictures.

Chelsea Old Church

This is where Henry VIII married Jane Seymour following the execution of Anne Boleyn. The Church is situated on the banks of River Thames and between Battersea and Albert bridges and is easy to reach from the various London holiday apartments by the tube.

Chelsea Tube Station

Other notable attractions which one can visit are the Chelsea Farmers' Market, the Chelsea Bridge and the Royal Court theatre. And don’t you worry about how to reach those attractions for Chelsea being centrally located is well connected to rest of London by the tube even though Chelsea does not have its own tube station.

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