South Kensington: Living in London’s Museum quarter

Make the most of the cultural treasures to be found in SW7

South Kensington justly deserves its reputation as London’s museum quarter, but for those who live or are looking to buy or rent in SW7, it’s often easy to overlook the trio of treasures right on your doorstep. When the crowds of tourists have gone home, head over to Cromwell Road to get to know your museum neighbours!

Victoria and Albert Museum

The world’s greatest museum of art and design

For a truly historic dining experience, go to the V&A Café on a Friday evening, when it stays open until 9.30pm. The Morris, Gamble and Poynter tea rooms formed the world’s first ever museum restaurant. Sitting beneath one of the beautiful gold and green Burne-Jones stained glass windows, you’ll feel a world away from the hustle of London. When you’ve had your fill of hearty mains and delicate pastries, work off the calories by strolling around your favourite exhibits, be it the intricate Japanese netsuke (mini sculptures which hung on robes) in room 45, Mick Jagger’s crushed velvet and diamante jumpsuit from 1972, or the 500-year-old Ardabil carpet which has 340 knots per square inch. It could provide inspiration for how to furnish your own apartment or house in South Kensington!

Natural History Museum

One of London’s most beautiful landmark buildings

With four zones featuring 70 million animal, plant and mineral specimens collected over 400 years, the Natural History Museum has more than enough to keep you fascinated for a lifetime. But it’s also perfect for keeping children (and inner children) entertained on a rainy afternoon. Where else can you see meteorites from Mars and Darwin’s discoveries all under one roof? Dip into each section in turn and make sure you don’t miss the lifelike animatronic T-Rex with his 15cm-long teeth; the full-size blue whale model floating gracefully above the mammal gallery; and the magnificent new Medusa emerald uncovered in Zambia in 2008.

Science Museum

Tucked behind the Natural History Museum, one of London’s most interactive museums covers the history Western science, technology and medicine. Among its prized exhibits are Stephenson’s 1829 ‘Rocket’ locomotive, Apollo 10’s command module that took three astronauts around the moon in 1969 and Watson and Crick’s DNA model. Like a living text book, the museum uses hands-on exhibits to teach and generally wow visitors, while adults can enjoy a free night of extra-special entertainment on the last Wednesday of every month at the museum’s Lates.
[Bullet] Info: Exhibition Road, SW7. Free entry, charges apply for IMAX 3D cinema, simulators and some special exhibitions. Open daily from 10am to 6pm except December 24-26. Open until 10pm for Lates. Last admission: 5.15pm. Visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk or call 0870 870 4868

If you are looking to live close to the historic attractions in South Kensington, Residential Land own modern 2 bed and studio flats off Old Brompton Road at Roland House Apartments