The High Street Is Dead, Long Live High Street Kensington!

The British high street is dying out, right? Wrong. Changing, yes, but not disappearing. Though the boom of American-style malls in the late 00s are slowly emptying out as shoppers head online, smaller village high streets remain the hub of many-a neighbourhood, and London still has dozens of thriving shopping streets to choose from. You’ll find one of the best examples in High Street Kensington, where independent eateries and coffee shops and high-end boutiques sit alongside super-sized outlets for British retail giants, some of the capital’s best design museums and a plethora of wellness destinations, too. Rebecca Cox discovers how to spend the perfect 48 hours in this West London hotspot. 

The Weekender: High Street Kensington

I have to admit, there are three reasons I usually visit High Street Kensington, which is a stop along my regular commute home. Firstly, for a quick drink with a friend at Balans; secondly, to visit two of the fanciest charity shops in London, on Kensington Church Street; and thirdly (though I’m hesitant to admit it), to visit my favourite TK Maxx to see what they’ve got on clearance in their Gold Label section. But beyond my well-trodden path, High Street Kensington has everything you’d want from the best of a British high street, with the added bonus of some big-hitting cultural hotspots, world-class dining destinations, one of the capital’s prettiest parks, and a location central enough to travel to multiple sites on foot. So, is there enough here to make for an ideal base for a city staycation? 

Steve at The Milestone Hotel & Residences

STAY

The Milestone Hotel & Residences

A five-minute walk from HSK station toward Kensington Palace and Gardens, directly opposite the park, sits The Milestone Hotel & Residences. Rather than looking out for its chic, understated facade, look out for a man in a neat green uniform, complete with top hat. The chances are, it will be Steve, one of London’s friendliest doormen, who has been greeting guests of the hotel for more than a decade. By the time I arrive, he is already firm friends with my girlfriend, and adding ideas to our weekend itinerary. Steve sets the tone for our stay at The Milestone, the friendliest hotel I’ve visited in quite some time. With 43 rooms, 13 suites and six long-stay residences, the atmosphere is intimate and the service reflects this: over the course of our stay, I hear multiple repeat guests greeted like old returning friends, and in each part of the hotel staff take the time to learn our names, despite the brevity of our stay. 

Rooms are individually designed, mixing historic grandeur with modern elegance, with multiple memorable stand-outs to choose from, including a Tudor Suite and The Noel Coward Suite. Our room is the striking Hermès Suite, with emerald sofas and deep green malachite carpets, a huge bronze four-poster bed and a stunning collection of vintage Hermès scarves framed all around the room. There’s a cosy private balcony, park views and a bold black marble bathroom. We made our welcome drinks glasses of fizz and sashayed about imagining the park view lives we should have led, and I encourage future guests to do the same. This is a hotel room so beautiful you won’t want to leave it, though the point of our stay was to immerse ourselves in all that the area has to offer, so we were duty-bound to venture outside.

The Hermés Suite at The Milestone Hotel & Residences

Downstairs, there are classically designed, cosy common areas for lounging and dining, a popular Stable Bar serving up immaculately mixed drinks, and a newly refurbished health centre reopened in March 2025. The latter is neat and stylish, with a high-tech gym, a resistance pool, infrared sauna, and cold plunge pool. milestonehotel.com

EAT & DRINK

Stables Bar at The Milestone

This characterful and friendly bar was busy and buzzy during our visit for a pre-dinner drink, and the martinis were immaculate. milestonehotel.com

Krokodilos

There are plenty of old favourites and high street haunts to choose from when it comes to dining in HSK, but we opted to test one of the newest additions to the area, Greek restaurant Krokodilos at Lancer Square. Here, as at the Milestone, it is the service that makes the difference, with every member of staff warm, friendly and enthusiastic about the cuisine. None more so, however, than Chef Angelos Togias, who spoke so passionately about the menu that we ended up seriously over-ordering. A happy accident, since everything was outstanding, from the Spanakopita flat bread with spinach and feta to the Dolmadakia and the Monkfish Fricasse. Did we have room for the recommended Tarta Lemoni pudding? No. Did that stop us? Again, no. (It was worth the stomach ache.) If you haven’t time for a full dinner, the chic bar is a great spot for a cocktail date, too. krokodilos.co.uk

Krokodilos

Here are a few other local recommendations if Greek isn’t your thing…

Jacuzzi

This popular Italian has statement interiors and is a great place to enjoy a spritz this summer. bigmammagroup.com

The Ivy Kensington Brasserie

I should have mentioned the HSK Ivy as one of my regular haunts up top; this is one of my favourite spots for a working lunch. ivycollection.com

Maggie Jones’s

This rickety, romantic, relaxed dining spot is a favourite with locals, but is currently closed for repairs following a fire, due to reopen this summer. maggie-jones.co.uk

Urban Greens

There are plenty of grab-and-go eateries around this hub for workers and shoppers, so lunch-on-the-go is easy. Our pick is Urban Greens, to the left as you exit the tube. Fresh salads and rice bowls made to order, reviving health drinks, and tasty vegan chickpea choc pots for pudding. urbangreens.co.uk

Subversive Sirens Photo by Ackerman Gruber – Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style at the Design Museum

DO

As well as being right on the doorstep of the Royal Albert Hall and the big museums of South Kensington and the delights of Knightsbridge beyond, there are plenty of culture hotspots in High Street Kensington itself. 

Design Museum: Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style

A short hop from the High Street, the Design Museum’s current headline exhibition, Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style, dives into Britain’s enduring love affair with water. See Pamela Anderson’s iconic Baywatch swimsuit IRL, the first Olympic solo swimming gold medal won by a British woman, and a parade of vintage Speedos. The show explores everything from the evolution of swimwear and the architectural marvel of Zaha Hadid’s London 2012 Aquatics Centre to the cultural phenomenon of lidos and mermaid-core. designmuseum.org

Leighton House and Sambourne House

When it comes to interiors (and exteriors, for that matter), I have a real penchant for elaborate blue tiling. Which is why Leighton House, a hidden treasure just round the corner from the design museum, was a revelation. The Arab Hall at Leighton House (pictured top) was completed in 1881, a really breathtaking space inspired by Middle Eastern architecture and Victorian artist Leighton’s travels. It features a golden dome, intricate mosaic friezes, and walls lined with vibrant turquoise blue tiles from Syria, Iran and Turkey, which combine to create a jewel-toned oasis, centred around a tranquil fountain. Since it’s a hidden gem, you might even get lucky and have the whole place to yourself. This house, and nearby Sambourne House, remain largely unchanged and offer a real insight into their famous former residents. rbkc.gov.uk

Japan House: The Craft of Carpentry

The Craft of Carpentry exhibition at Japan House transports visitors to Japan’s ancient forests and temple traditions. The centrepiece is a life-size reconstruction of the Sa-an teahouse, which sits alongside hands-on displays of joinery and the evocative scent of Japanese woods. Admission is free, so it’s worth popping in even if you’re in a hurry. japanhouselondon.uk

Shopping

Where are you hurrying to from the cultural delights of Japan House? To the shops, of course. You’ll find a decent selection of high street favourites, plus a few independent grocers and boutiques. It’s the charity shops for me: we’re talking high-end with prices to match, so browsing rarely turns to buying – but it’s fun to treasure-hunt, nonetheless. 

Manicure or Pedicure at Townhouse

High Street Ken is also a hub for wellness and beauty; there’s even an annual wellness week every May to highlight the area’s array of destinations and activities. But year-round you can treat yourself to a top quality mani or pedi at Townhouse, a pretty eggshell nail bar serving up drinks alongside expert services. townhouse.co.uk

The Sunken Garden Kensington Palace © Mark Weeks

Kensington Gardens & Holland Park

During your stay you should venture beyond the high street and take a stroll in the famous parks. Kensington Gardens, once the private playground of the royals, is now open to all to enjoy. Wander tree-lined avenues and be sure to check out the famous Peter Pan statue by Long Water. Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden is popular for its Japanese maples, tiered waterfalls, and koi carp. Both parks are slightly quieter than Regents and Hyde Park, though no less beautiful. royalparks.org.uk

THE FINAL WORD

Forget three, I now have countless reasons to visit High Street Kensington, not least to check in on Steve and co at The Milestone Hotel & Residences, one of the friendliest hotels in London. The British high street might be in decline, but this one in particular is not only thriving, but the perfect base for a superlative city stay. 

BOOK

Deluxe King Rooms at The Milestone Hotel & Residences start from £655 per room including breakfast. For more information, please visit: milestonehotel.com

Plan your visit to High Street Kensington at highstreetkensington.co.uk