Kensington
Kensington is in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, mostly in the W8 postcode, on the western side of Kensington Gardens. It is one of London's best-known residential areas, with garden squares, period houses and apartments, and a busy high street.
Living in Kensington
Kensington High Street is the main shopping street, and the side streets around it hold quiet squares, mews houses and mansion blocks. Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens are on its eastern edge, Holland Park to the north-west, and the Design Museum is on the high street. Kensington Church Street leads north to Notting Hill.
Getting around
High Street Kensington station (Circle and District lines) is at the centre of the area, with Gloucester Road (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) to the south and Kensington (Olympia) (District line and Overground) to the west. Buses run along the high street to the West End.
Cost of living in Kensington
Kensington is one of London's most expensive neighbourhoods to buy or rent in. The Royal Borough's council tax has long been among the lower rates in London; check the council's website for your band.
Buying an apartment in Kensington
Most homes for sale in Kensington are apartments, from flats in converted Victorian houses to portered mansion blocks and newer developments. When comparing, check the lease length and the service charge as well as the price.
Kensington postcode: W8
Kensington is mainly in the W8 postcode, which covers Kensington High Street, Kensington Church Street and the streets around Kensington Palace. South Kensington is in SW7, Earls Court in SW5, and Holland Park and West Kensington in W11 and W14.
House prices in Kensington
Across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the average price paid for a home was about £1.20 million. Flats and maisonettes averaged about £948,000, and terraced houses about £2.39 million. Kensington's garden squares and the streets near the park are among the most expensive in the borough.
Source: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index, August 2026, borough-wide averages. Prices in individual streets vary widely.
Average rent in Kensington
Across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the average private rent was about £3,740 a month in September 2026, up 3.0% on a year earlier.
By size: one bedroom about £2,670, two bedrooms £3,480, three bedrooms £4,130 and four or more bedrooms £5,730 a month.
Source: ONS Price Index of Private Rents, September 2026, borough-wide averages for all private rented homes. Rents in prime streets and new buildings are usually higher.
Own a home in Kensington? Ask for a free rental valuation to find out what it would let for. See our current homes to rent in Kensington.
Homes to rent and for sale in Kensington
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Guides for renting, buying and selling in Kensington
Best areas to rent near South Kensington
The cost of selling a house in the UK
The UK house selling process, step by step
Why you need a survey before buying
All our guides: letting, selling and buying.
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