Walking Tours of London - Chelsea Neighborhood Walk

A walking tour is ideal for exploring the historic neighbourhood of Chelsea

The historic neighbourhood of Chelsea, located along and above the banks of the River Thames just south of Westminster, is populated with many beautiful and historic homes.

Starting with Henry VIII and Thomas More, aristocrats have began building homes and manors here since the 1600's. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Chelsea was a popular haven for artists and writers. One of the main roads in the neighbourhood is Kings Road, which was once the official Royal route used by Charles II between Whitehall and Hampton Court. Today it is lined with expensive shops catering to the well-to-do of the younger generation. Major landmarks in this neighborhood include the Royal Hospital and the Albert Bridge.

As you explore this neighbourhood watch for the blue plaques attached to many of the houses which will provide you with some interesting background about the British figures who made Chelsea their home.

Chelsea Walking Tour Directions

Our recommended walking tour of Chelsea begins from Sloane Square Station. This walk is 4.9 kms long and should take just about 1hr 15m at a normal walking pace, not including stops. We suggest you allow a minimum of 2½ hours.

1. Start at Sloane Square Station.
2. Walk west on King's Road.
3. Left Cheltenham Terrace.
4. Continue onto Franklin's Row (slight jog to the left).
5. Enter the Royal Hospital Grounds and loop around the courtyard and gardens to the rear - Nearby attraction: The Royal Hospital, a spectacular Christopher Wren design dating back to the late 1600s and commissioned by Charles II. It is now a home to pensioners.
6. Follow West Road north up the other side of the Royal Hospital.
7. Left on Royal Hospital Road - Nearby attraction: National Army Museum.
8. Left on Tite Street - Nearby attraction: Oscar Wilde's home and John Singer Sargent's home.
9. Right on Chelsea Embankment.
10. Right on Sean Walk.
11. Left on Royal Hospital Road - Nearby attraction: Physic Garden.
12. Continue Cheyne Row - Nearby attraction: The homes of George Eliot and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
13. Right on Oakley Street - Nearby attraction: The Albert Bridge.
14. Left on Upper Cheyne Row - Nearby attraction: Leigh Hunt's Home.
15. Left on Cheyne Row - Nearby attraction: John Carlyle's House.
16. Right on Cheyne Walk - Nearby attraction: Carlyle Mansions.
17. Right on Chelsea Embankment.
18. Right on Old Church Road - Nearby attraction: Statue of Sir Thomas More and the Chelsea Old Church.
19. Right on King's Road.
20. Continue on King's Road back to Sloane Square Station.

Getting There on Transit
Tube Line	Tube Station	Walking Time
District and Circle Lines	Sloane Square Station	0 Minutes
Walking Distance from Tube Station. No bus needed. From Sloane Square Station, you are already in Chelsea. Just follow the suggested walk in the neighbourhood description above, or choose your own route. Chelsea Neighborhood Walking Tour Map View the Chelsea Walking Tour in a larger map

Statue of Sir Thomas Moore Outside the Old Chelsea Church cc licensed flickr photo shared by amandabhslater