What is the history of Kensington?

Kensington's roots trace back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was just a small rural village. Over the centuries, it has evolved into one of London's most iconic districts. Its history is like a tapestry woven with threads of royalty, art, and culture.

What celebrity lives in Kensington?

Modern Celebrities and Influential Personalities

Kensington Palace Gardens, often called Britain's most expensive street, is home to billionaires like Lakshmi Mittal and Roman Abramovich. Other notable residents include JK Rowling, Stella McCartney, and Simon Cowell.

What is Kensington best known for?

It's the borough that is home to Harrods, the King's Road, the major museums of South Kensington, Kensington Palace and much-loved events like The Chelsea Flower Show and Notting Hill Carnival. It is one of three London boroughs with royal status – an honorary title due to a borough's royal links.

Is Kensington a white area?

The predominant ethnicities in Kensington and Chelsea is White (64%).

Why are there so many French in South Kensington?

The neighbourhood hosts the French consulate, the leading French Lycée in the country, and the official language centre at the Institut Français. As a result, these streets are a popular destination for French visitors, as well as many of the city's 300,000 French inhabitants.

The History Of Kensington Gardens

Is South Kensington a posh area?

“South Ken”, as it's often referred to, is a destination area and historically one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in London. This makes it an area more resilient to price changes. Residents enjoy the fantastic connections, a wealth of amenities, and a sense of historical importance in the area.

What is the ethnicity of Kensington London?

59.3% of residents described themselves as White (London average is 53.8%) 13.7% of residents described themselves as Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnicity (London average is 13.5%) 11.6% of residents described themselves as Asian or British Asian (London average is 20.8%)

Is Kensington a rough area?

Kensington and Chelsea is the second most dangerous borough in London. The overall crime rate in Kensington and Chelsea in 2025 was 116 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to London's overall crime rate, coming in 50% higher than the London rate of 78 per 1,000 daytime population.

Where is the whitest area in the UK?

Workington in Cumbria is the whitest place in England, with 98.5% of the population identifying as white British.

What is the richest street in Kensington?

A tree-lined avenue half a mile long studded with embassies, Kensington Palace Gardens is one of the most expensive residential streets in the world, and has long been known as "Billionaires Row", due to the huge wealth of its private residents, although in fact the majority of its current occupants are either national ...

Where do rich people live in Kensington?

Nicknamed Billionaire's Row because, well, you kind of have to be one to afford a property there, Kensington Palace Gardens is one of London's most exclusive addresses, home to royals, tycoons and oligarchs. Read on for all the goss on this super-rich enclave…

What is the main street in Kensington?

Kensington High Street is the main shopping street in Kensington, London, England. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.

Where does Elton John live in London?

Nicknamed Millionaire's Row, Holland Park is home to the likes of Sir Richard Branson, The Beckhams, Elton John, Robbie Williams.

What type of people live in Kensington?

36% of our residents are from a Black, Asian or other minority ethnic background. 53% of our residents are female. 20,200 (14%) are aged 0-15 years, 105,300 (71%) are aged 16-64 and 20,800 (15%) are aged 65+.

Where is Millionaires Row in Kensington?

Located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Holland Park is often called “Millionaires' Row” thanks to its concentration of high-net-worth residents. In this affluent part of London, you'll spot £30M mansions, luxury cars, and plenty of celebrity homes.

Where do most Asians live in the UK?

2021 census

The ten local authorities with the largest proportion of people who identified as Asian were: Redbridge (47.33%), Slough (46.75%), Harrow (45.23%), Tower Hamlets (44.43%), Leicester (43.40%), Newham (42.21%), Luton (36.99%), Hounslow (36.73%), Blackburn with Darwen (35.66%) and Hillingdon (33.32%).

Where are white British people moving to?

Commonwealth countries are strong options with Australia and New Zealand among the most popular destinations for moving abroad after Brexit. It's estimated that there are around 1.2 million British expats living in Australia. In the top ten is also South Africa.

Which UK city has the most Pakistanis?

The English city 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 with the highest Pakistani 🇵🇰 population in the UK 🇬🇧 | #bradford #pakistani #asian. Is the English city with the highest Pakistani population in the whole of the UK where over 35% of residents identifies coming from an Asian background the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire.

Is Kensington safe to walk at night?

Yes, Kensington is one of the safest areas in London statistically and speaking as someone who has worked in Kensington for over a decade looking after the security of residences, offices, bars and shops and being involved in community safety initiatives, I often get asked, "Is Kensington a safe area?" Drawing on my ...

What is the dodgiest area in London?

The area with the roughest reputation in London is Westminster, recording the highest crime rate of 432 crimes per 1,000 people in the year ending December 2024—though this is likely skewed by massive daytime footfall from tourists, which inflates the crime-per-resident ratio.

Is Kensington a deprived area?

There are significant financial differences within the borough. Three of the most deprived wards in London are in the Royal Borough. Golborne being the most deprived in London. In 2022, Kensington and Chelsea's unemployment rate was 5.9%, similar to the London average (5%) with rates varying by area.

Where is the biggest black population in London?

Ethnic diversity

West London has the highest proportion (53%) of its population that are Black and Minority Ethnic, followed by East London (50%). South London has the smallest proportion of people from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds (36%).

What is the drug epidemic in Kensington?

The street opioid supply in Kensington is erratic and volatile, with decreasing fentanyl concentrations alongside increasing adulteration with medetomidine and local anesthetics.

Why is it called Notting Hill Gate?

Notting Hill Gate is one of the main thoroughfares in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically the street was a location for toll gates, from which it derives its modern name.