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History of South Kensington
South Kensington was undeveloped until the mid-19th century, being an agricultural area supplying London with fruit and vegetables. After the 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, an 87 acre area around what is now Exhibition Road was purchased by the commissioners of the exhibition, in order to create a home for institutions dedicated to the arts and sciences – this 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. The absorption of South Kensington into London was sealed by the arrival of the Underground to Gloucester Road and South Kensington in 1868, linking the area directly to the main railway termini and to the political, commercial and financial hearts of the city in Westminster, the West End and the City of London. For centuries the area was renowned as the haunt of highwaymen, robbers and cut throats targeting travellers on the western route out of London.
Between the very rich areas of Knightsbridge and Chelsea, South Kensington is very affluent but also has a very large student and tourist population. The area has many large properties, many built around quiet squares or with private gardens while offering a lot of accommodation for people on smaller budgets.
Places of interest
http://www.urbanpath.com/london/areas/central_west/south_kensington/
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/tube-south-kensington.php
• Kensington Gardens • Science Museum • Victoria and Albert Museum • Natural History Museum • Albert Memorial • Royal Albert Hall • Chelsea Physics Garden
Transport Links – Visit Transport for London for more information
Gloucester Road – Circle, District & Picadilly Lines
South Kensington – Circle, District & Picadilly Lines
Local Authority
Kensington & Chelsea – http://www.camden.gov.uk/
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