Famous for its luxurious boutiques and prestigious hotels, there are many fun things to do in Knightsbridge. Here’s our guide to the best Knightsbridge restaurants, shops and tourist attractions that you shouldn’t miss.
15 Fun Things to Do in Knightsbridge, London
Knightsbridge is a well-heeled area with a rich history. This central London neighbourhood takes its name from a former bridge over the River Westbourne, where youths nicknamed knights congregated – knights bridge! These days, Knightsbridge is one of the main streets leading from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Road.
Famous local residents include Kylie Minogue and the Candy Brothers. Former inhabitants include the actresses Ava Gardner and Lillie Langtry.
Where is Knightsbridge?
The district of Knightsbridge stretches from Hyde Park Corner to South Carriage Drive, along Exhibition Road and past the Victoria and Albert Museum, along Cromwell Gardens and Brompton Road. This exclusive London neighbourhood is close to Belgravia, Pimlico and Chelsea.
As Knightsbridge is fairly compact with lots of interesting sights, this London neighborhood is an ideal destination for a London staycation. What to do in Knightsbridge? Here’s our pick of the top things to do in Knightsbridge..
1. Wellington Arch
Originally built as an entrance to Buckingham Palace, before becoming a victory arch celebrating Wellington’s defeat of Napoleon, Wellington Arch is now an English Heritage monument. At the top, you can see an angel of peace riding a horse drawn chariot. This is the largest bronze sculpture in Europe.
Take the lift to the top floor for views of Apsley House on one side and Constitution Hill on the other. There’s also a museum inside, dedicated to the history of Wellington Arch.
2. Bonhams Auction House
If you are interested in buying at auction, head to Bonhams. Tucked away on picturesque Montpelier Street, this London salesroom is one of the oldest auctioneers of antiques and fine art in the world.
There are around 140 auctions here each year, ranging from jewellery to furniture and paintings. Viewing takes place a week before each sale, and you can also ask for a free auction estimate.
3. Knightsbridge Afternoon Tea
The Collection of Scents Afternoon Tea at The Park Tower Knightsbridge is one of the most unusual afternoon teas in London. You dine in The Knightsbridge Lounge, a circular tea parlour, adorned with trompe l’oeil floral artworks and an 18 foot chandelier.
The delicious pastries created by Head Chef Gaurav Puri are matched to 5 gorgeous scents by Rachel Vosper, the luxury candle maker. There are 5 test tubes filled with the fragrant candles for guests to inhale and decide which is their favourite.
The savory treats and handmade scones are also very tasty. We particularly like the smoked and beet cured salmon and the Norwich farm chicken sandwiches.
4. Charming Knightsbridge Streets
Knightsbridge could well be the best location to live in London, thanks to its luxurious properties such as One Hyde Park. Take a walking tour of the area and you’ll discover pretty Knightsbridge mews streets and impressive red brick gabled houses.
At Montpelier Walk, there’s a passage through a brick wall, known to locals as the “hole in the wall”.
Some of the most photogenic Knightsbridge streets are:
- Ennismore Garden Mews – this cobbled mews featured in the Alfred Hitchcock film Frenzy.
- Montpelier Place – a tranquil street close to Harrods and Hyde Park.
- Pont Street – known for its Pont Street Dutch style gabled red brick houses.
- Trevor Square – Grade II listed Georgian townhouses bordering a quiet garden square.
If you’re lucky to be staying at The Park Tower Knightsbridge, their concierge leads a complimentary guided walking tour for guests around Knightsbridge and nearby Belgravia. You can request candle making and chocolate workshops, which are great for families and friends.
A stone’s throw from Knightsbridge, you’ll find Motcomb Street in Belgravia. This picturesque London road has a great selection of independent shops such as The Fine Cheese Co. Belgravia, Elizabeth Gage for jewellery, Eres for swimwear and Neill Strain Floral Couture.
Also on Motcomb Street, there’s the luxurious Pantechnicon retail outlet. Inside you’ll find a homeware shop, rooftop restaurant and Cafe Kitsune.
Kinnerton Street is also very close, and is home to the Nag’s Head pub, Judith Blacklock Flower School and Rachel Vosper, a luxury candle maker. One of the best candle chandlers in the world, they specialize in hand-poured candles made in the UK.
Rachel and her charming team also run candle making courses, where participants learn the lost art of candle making. On our visit, Rachel’s colleague Emma gave us lots of tips on using candles. Did you know that candles should not burn for more than 4 hours or less than 1 hour?
In the pretty boutique, you can find some lovely gifts and even bring your own glassware or china to be filled. Choose from 6 exquisite fragrances in The Scent Library or order your own custom blended scent.
5. Rooftop Dining at Harvey Nichols
On the top floor of Harvey Nichols department store you’ll find their Food Court, with restaurants such as Burger and Lobster, Farm Girl and Zelman Meats. There’s also a popular Café and Terrace which serves up tasty salads and sweet treats.
It’s open every day until 11 pm and specializes in modern European dishes. Try the teriyaki chicken or superfood salad for a healthy option.
6. Hyde Park
The largest of the four Royal Parks, Hyde Park is Grade I listed. If you’re looking for tranquility, it’s one of the quietest places in London.
You can reach Hyde Park very easily from Knightsbridge via South Carriage Drive. Spread over 142 hectares, the London green space has many interesting attractions, including:
- Princess Diana Memorial Fountain – on West Carriage Drive, it is very popular with children.
- The Rose Garden – near Hyde Park Corner, it is at its best in early Summer.
- Serpentine Lido – open-air swimming in the Serpentine Lake from June to September with a cafe and bar.
- Speakers’ Corner – a famous spot for open air speeches since the 1800s, located near to Marble Arch.
Hyde Park is a popular place for horse riding on Rotten Row, as well as cycling, rollerblading, football and tennis. There’s a Senior Playground with exercise equipment to improve balance and core strength, as well as a bowling green.
You can also try out padel, a cross between tennis, squash and badminton or the first Solarshuttle in the UK. Powered by the sun, this vessel holds up to 40 people.
Depending on the date of your visit, there are lots of bookable events taking place in Hyde Park. In July, the ten day British Summer Time festival has a great musical line-up.
The Last Night of the Proms takes place on 14 September, while The Royal Park Half Marathon is held in mid October. Winter Wonderland is visited by millions of people from the end of November to the beginning of January.
Next to Hyde Park in Kensington Gardens, you’ll find the Albert Memorial, the Diana Playground, Kensington Palace and the Serpentine Galleries.
Closer to Hyde Park Corner, there’s Queen Elizabeth Gate, located just outside of the park. It commemorates the 90th birthday of the late Queen Mother and unites the lion of England with the unicorn of Scotland.
7. Shopping in Knightsbridge
Famous for its luxury boutiques, Knightsbridge is the ideal place to come if you want to indulge in some retail therapy. Whether you’re looking for designer beachwear or party outfits, there’s something here for everyone. The main shopping streets are Knightsbridge itself which leads onto Brompton Street, Knightsbridge Green and Sloane Street.
There are two famous London department stores in Knightsbridge:
- Harvey Nichols – at 109-125 Knightsbridge, for cutting edge fashion, express beauty services and the Fifth Floor Foodmarket.
- Harrods – at 87-135 Brompton Road, for its sumptuous Food Halls, Tech Rooms and opulent Egyptian staircase.
Some of the most interesting Knightsbridge shops are:
- Burberry – in addition to their Harrods concession, the iconic British brand will open a store at No. 1 Sloane Street in 2020.
- Caroline Castigliano – a luxury bridal wear boutique at 154 Brompton Road.
- Crockett & Jones – handmade English shoes at 155 Brompton Road.
- Cutler and Gross – a trendy optician at 16 Knightsbridge Green.
- Divertimenti – more than 4500 kitchen items at 227 Brompton Road.
- Edward Sexton – this British tailor at 26 Beauchamp Place operates by appointment only.
- Rigby & Peller – a British luxury lingerie brand with a made to measure service at 2 Hans Road.
- Suzanne Neville – evening wear and wedding dresses at 29 Beauchamp Place.
8. The London Oratory
This Roman Catholic church, also known as Brompton Oratory or the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, was consecrated in 1884. The Grade II listed building was designed by Herbert Gribble.
It was the largest Catholic church in London until Westminster Cathedral was opened. The church organ is considered to be one of the best in the UK, and around 3,000 people attend choral masses here each Sunday.
Those who enjoy musical performances should also not miss the Royal Albert Hall in nearby Kensington.
9. Victoria and Albert Museum
Usually referred to simply as the V&A, this famous London museum has over 4.5 million pieces in its collections. Fans of Beatrix Potter will love the largest collection of her works, while the temporary exhibitions such as Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams are equally popular.
There’s a great museum shop as well as two courtyard cafes. On the last Friday of each month, the V&A hosts Friday Lates, with live performances and DJ sets.
Close by in Kensington you have the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum.
10. The Grenadier Pub
There are quite a few good pubs in Knightsbridge and Belgravia, such as The Nag’s Head on Kinnerton Street. This eccentric place is crammed with vintage memorabilia and mobile phones are banned.
Our favourite is The Grenadier, a pub in a private London mews. This London hidden gem is know for its “famous Beef Wellington”, fish and chips and real ale.
The Grenadier is purportedly one of the most haunted pubs in London. According to legend, a soldier named Cedric cheated at cards here and was beaten to death by his fellow players.
Visitors to the pub hang money from the ceiling in an attempt to pay off his debt. Thankfully, this pub does not feel scary and is very welcoming!
11. Zuma Knightsbridge
Zuma has been going strong in Knightsbridge since 2002. Known for its Asian fusion food and trendy vibe, it’s the brainchild of chef Rainer Becker.
The restaurant was inspired by Japanese izakaya, where food is continuously brought to the table as and when it is ready. Try the robata skewers, vegetable tempura and sakura cocktails. There’s an outdoor seating area for dining al fresco.
Other popular Knightsbridge restaurants include:
- Buddha-Bar London – Pan-Asian cuisine in a stylish space at 145 Knightsbridge.
- Chisou – Japanese sushi and sake on Beauchamp Place.
- Harry’s Dolce Vita – Italian specialties on Basil Street.
12. The Hyde Bar
Nestled inside the luxurious Park Tower Knightsbridge hotel, you’ll find the cosy Hyde Bar. With a stylish vibe reminiscent of a member’s club, it has over 100 whiskies and a wide range of cocktails to choose from.
You can also tell the friendly bartenders what type of drink you like and they will rustle something up for you. The brasserie menu has classics such as fish and chips and mezze platters, as well as an amazing Highland Wagyu Menu.
Highland Wagyu comes from a farm in Perthshire, Scotland and is considered by many chefs to be the best beef in the UK. Head chef Gaurav Puri has created a special menu featuring such delights as wagyu beef fillet with Shimeji mushrooms, wagyu carpaccio with black truffle puree and a succulent Wagyu Luxury Collection Gold Leaf Burger.
There’s a cigar terrace next to The Hyde Bar where you can enjoy hand-rolled cigars. The Hyde Bar can also arrange a private whisky tasting for you. We recommend trying The Dalmore single malt whiskys.
Established over 150 years ago, this Scottish distillery ages its whiskys in sherry casks, giving them a unique flavour. We particularly like the Cigar Malt Reserve, with its notes of tropical fruit, dark chocolate and spices.
13. EL&N London – Instagrammable Cafe
EL&N London will have you reaching straight for your phone or camera to take a photo for the ‘gram. This pretty London cafe at 42 Hans Crescent serves up healthy Mediterranean-inspired dishes, together with loose leaf teas and a large range of coffees.
14. Harvey Nichols Beauty Lounge
If you’re craving some me-time, look no further than Harvey Nichols. They have a huge range of express beauty treatments in their Beauty Lounge. For some of these, such as manicures you don’t need to book. However it’s wise to reserve in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
Services in the Beauty Lounge that we have tried are Brow Pinching at Blink Brow Bar, Express Light Therapy at The Light Salon and a make up masterclass at Trish McEvoy.
Brow Pinching
Have you heard of brow pinching before? This treatment is based on Ayurvedic principles, focusing on Marma energy points and chakras.
The expert Blink Brow Bar therapist targets pressure points in the eye and brow area. This helps to get rid of any tension and puffiness, leaving you with a rejuvenated eye area. Blink are also known for their eyebrow threading and brow and lash tinting.
Express Light Therapy
Suitable for men and women, the 20 minute treatment takes place in The Light Salon, screened off from the main beauty hall. It’s very relaxing and you may well find yourself dropping off to sleep during your session.
This painless treatment uses your choice of blue light to kill bacteria, red light to stimulate collagen or yellow light to improve overall skin health. You sit in a comfy armchair so there is no need to get undressed.
Immediately afterwards, we looked more radiant, and the results got even better over the next few days. Our skin was much smoother to touch, blackheads had vanished and pores were noticeably minimized.
For the best results, you should ideally have several treatments within the first month and top up treatments when your skin is looking dull.
Makeup Masterclass
Trish McEvoy is a famous cruelty-free beauty brand, founded by Trish in 1975. The company has a popular concession in Harvey Nichols, selling her innovative makeup and skincare range and offering makeup lessons.
You’ll learn how to highlight your best features and replicate the effects at home. Trish McEvoy are known for their makeup brushes and you’ll discover how to use them for contouring and sculpting.
The brand has an innovative Makeup Planner® which holds all your cosmetics in a clever pouch. You clip Makeup Wardrobing® Pages into it and can change these up whenever you need to.
Trish’s late husband, Dr. Ronald Sherman was a pioneering cosmetic dermatologist and there are some great skincare products in the collection too, such as the tinted Instant Eye Lift.
Men’s Grooming Services
For men, AONO Barbershop on the lower ground floor is a must visit. Located within the Project 109 concept space on the menswear floor, AONO offers grooming services and haircuts to discerning customers.
The lifestyle brand originated in Brighton and has been a popular destination in Harvey Nichols since 2016. They’re open seven days a week, until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
AONO blend traditional barbering skills with a contemporary vibe. They’ll happily advise you on how to switch up your look and they specialize in easy to maintain hairstyles.
15. Apsley House
The former home of the first Duke of Wellington cuts an imposing figure at Hyde Park Corner. Known formerly as Number 1 London, the Grade I listed building was designed by famous architect Robert Adam in the 1770s.
Artworks by old masters such as Goya, Rubens, Van Dyck and Velazquez are displayed on the first floor. There’s also Wellington’s impressive collection of tableware, including a Portugese silver gilt dinner service. Sadly, photos are not allowed inside the house.
Getting to Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a short walk from Belgravia, Chelsea and South Kensington. There are two underground stations, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge tube station on the Piccadilly Line, giving easy access to this part of London.
Where to Stay in Knightsbridge
The Park Tower Knightsbridge is a 5-star hotel from the Luxury Collection. Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, it has unparalleled 360 degree views thanks to its unique circular design.
One of the best Knightsbridge hotels, you immediately get the wow factor when walking into the lobby, with its huge glass chandelier. The staff are extremely friendly and the concierge can give you tips on what to see in the local area.
The 249 rooms and 22 suites are spacious and well appointed. There’s air conditioning, complimentary high speed WiFi and bottled water, as well as a handy iron and board.
The hotel has a gym and there are also regular free guided walks for hotel guests. However, why not order room service and linger over that extraordinary view!
Another great 5 star hotel in Knightsbridge is The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is known for its eclectic cuisine and unique food presentation. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is also a popular retreat from the hustle and bustle of the area.
Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Knightsbridge London
From high-end shopping to serene parks and gardens, Knightsbridge has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a luxurious day out or some peace and quiet, this is the perfect place for you.
Be sure to add these top attractions to your list next time you’re in London!
We hope that you’ve found this Knightsbridge area guide interesting. And if you’re interested in exploring other areas of the city, check out our other London travel guides here.
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