Like most of London, it takes a locals knowledge to be able to expose King’s Road’s little gems.
Upon stepping out of Sloane Square tube station you encounter the Sloane Square, Hotel, Tiffany’s, Royal Court Theatre, Boggi Milano, Hugo Boss and a tree filled Square with the 1951 Royal Academy winning Venus Statue. From Sloane Square to Oakley Street, King’s Road offers a wide variety of award winning boutique luxury fashion and dining establishments to indulge; starting with the department store Peter Jones, to veteran British designer, Vivienne Westwood’s, ‘World’s End’, and trendy high-fashion shoe store Kate Kuba.
Since Henry VIII acquired the manor of Chelsea (1536), it has always been a popular location for the wealthy. But it is a wonderfully diverse community- the local elderly residents from Chelsea Barracks/ Royal Hospital in their regal uniforms, are always up for a chat on the sidewalks of Kings Road. If you are looking to rest on a London ‘green’, you can walk through the Barracks grounds and their extensive gardens (where the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is held each May).
The Duke of York Square runs parallel to King’s Road and as such, will remove you from King’s Road busy thoroughfare. Lovely restaurants, coffee shop, patisserie, bread store, bookstore, beauticians, and luxury fashion boutique stores all open on to the large sandstone paved courtyard. There is a terrific year round Saturday market encompassing fine specialty food producers. Speaking of fine food markets, the Royal Household’s favorite market Partridges, is at the end of the Square (next to the fashion store Jig Saw in the restored Chapel of the Duke of York’s Barracks). Opposite Partridges the very modern Saatchi Gallery (ironically in the old Duke of York’s Barracks) hosts many sculptural as well as art exhibitions.
If you have children, there is a fantastic playground on the grounds of St. Lukes, (corner of Sydney and Cale Street) then you can eat at Tom’s Kitchen, The Builders Arms or get a cheaper pie lunch at Chelsea Green’s/Triangle pub Album.
King’s Road is the complete modern village for those who like to shop without the crowds and mass retailers of Regent Street.
Where to eat…
Tom’s Kitchen $$$ ph 0207 349 0202. Couple of streets back from the bustle of Kings Road , Tom’s Kitchen is housed in a lovely terrace house- each level offering a different dining and social experience. The ground floor Brasserie serves B,L,D (they have a sumptuous slow roast lamb meal). The second floor is a wonderful, elegantly decorated cocktail bar, also serving dessert and champagne. Finally upstairs offers a private dining room.
Manicomio $$$ ph 0207 730 3366
Relaxed Italian dining. On warmer days you can sit outside and enjoy the passing activity.
Where to stay… luxury accommodation (this is the Burrow of Chelsea Knightsbridge after all!)
The hotel’s ground floor restaurant, Chelsea Brasserie $$$, presents consistently great food (always love the duck) and snappy French servers, hence a popular and noisy environment.
Logistics
Nearest Tube Station: Sloane Square, Circle Line
Street Sensation has created a terrific, detailed map with street level pictures of the area. Well worth the cost of downloading.
King’s Road fashion stores listing.
Final note…
After strolling Kings Road, if your shopaholics tendencies have been heightened, and your wallets still full, the row of luxury global brands walk up Sloane Street to Knightsbridge and Harrods should more than satisfy your addiction (@ 15 minute walk from Sloane Square to Knightsbridge).
Kelsey Bray, tour operator, travel writer & photographer
