Chelsea

Battersea Park Children's Zoo

Selection of small mammals birds and reptiles, including: squirrels, monkeys, chinchillas, ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, donkeys, ponies, rabbits and guinea pigs. Regular animal feeding times from 11am to 3.30pm.

Opening times: Summer: 10am to 5.30pm, Winter: 10am to 4.30pm - Admission Charge
Location: Battersea Park, London - Tel: 020 7924 5826
Website: batterseaparkzoo.co.uk
Facilities: children's play area, shop, cafe, picnic area

Carlyle's House

The house at 24 Cheyne Row was home to Scottish writer, Thomas Carlyle, from 1834 up until his death in 1881. It still remains much as it was when Carlyle lived there, with his original writing desk, books, furnishings and other personal belongings. Run by the National Trust*

Opening times: Mar-Oct, Wed-Fri 2pm to 5pm, Sat-Sun & BH Mon, 11am to 5pm - Admission Charge*
Location: 24 Cheyne Row, London, SW3 5HL - Tel: 020 7352 7087
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk

Chelsea Physic Garden

Britain's oldest botanical gardens. Developed in 1673, by the Society of Apothecaries, in order to study the healing properties of plants. It is still used for botanical and medicinal research today, and plants and seeds are exchanged with gardens throughout the world. The 4 acre garden contains an interesting mix of exotic trees, shrubs and herbs. Visitors can also see Britain's oldest rock garden, made from stone taken from the old Tower of London and Icelandic lava.

Image by Karen Bryan - CC BY-ND 4.0

Opening times: Apr-Oct, Wed and Sun from 12 - Admission Charge
Location: 66 Royal Hospital Rd, London, SW3 4HS - Tel: 020 7352 5646
Website: chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

National Army Museum

Set in the grounds of the Chelsea Royal Hospital - home to the red-coated Chelsea Pensioners. The museum recounts the history of the British army since the 15th century.

Exhibits include an exciting collection of pictures, videos, effigies, military uniforms and weaponry. Also on display are a number of model battle scenes, including a large reconstruction of the Battle of Waterloo, containing 70,000 model soldiers.

Opening times: - all year, daily 10am to 5.30pm (closed Xmas & BH) - Free Entry
Location: Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HT - Tel: 020 7730 0717
Website: national-army-museum.ac.uk

Royal Hospital Chelsea

Founded in 1682, by Charles II, as a retreat for unfit and retired army veterans. Home to around 300 pensioners. Visitors can take a stroll around the grounds, visit the Chapel, Great Hall and Museum.

Opening times: all year, daily, Mon-Sat from 10am & Sun 2pm to 4pm (closed Xmas) - Free Entry
Location: Royal Hospital Rd, London, SW3 4SR - Tel: 020 7881 5200
Website: chelsea-pensioners.org.uk

Battersea Park

Extensive parkland laid out in 1846 alongside the Thames, where regular fairs were once held.

Today it is a popular public park with wooded walks, wide open spaces, formal gardens, tea rooms, playful fountains, a boating lake and facilities for athletics and other sports. There is also a popular children's zoo in the grounds.

Chelsea Embankment and Gardens

The tree-lined Chelsea Embankment is a lovely place to take a stroll at any time of day. The pathway from the Prince Albert Bridge to the Chelsea Bridge, and back, makes for a very pleasant circular walk. There are uninterrupted views over the river, with Battersea Park on the one side and moored boats and pleasure craft on the other; with the iconic towers of Battersea power station looming in the distance. If your lucky you may catch a glimpse of a fleet sailing boats from the Westminster Boating Base.

Royal Court Theatre

Since its opening in 1888, the Royal Court Theatre has been a focus for new drama and plays. The theatre continues to encourage new, experimental and innovative works to this day, and is one of the most reasonably priced venues in London.

Opening times vary: see website for details - Admission Charges
Location: 50-51 Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS - Box Office: 020 7565 5000

King's Road and Fulham Road

The Kings Road (once used as the royal route to Hampton Court by King Charles) forms the main shopping thoroughfare in Chelsea. It offers a classy range of fashionable outlets from antique emporiums to in-vogue clothes shops. The Fulham Road, which runs parallel to Kings Road, is also lined by smart boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

North End Road Market

A wide range of goods are sold in this bustling street market. Anything from lipstick to exotic fruit, vegetables and kitchenware.

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