Pictures of Chelsea

in the county of Greater London

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About Chelsea

Chelsea is a district in London which in recent times gained fame as the 'home' of the 'swinging sixties' . The swinging sixties was defined on the Kings Road, which runs the length of the area and both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones lived here at one time.

The district is loosely defined by the area around the Kings Road (named for Charles II) beginning at Sloane Square at one end, and the World's End public house, at the other. The River Thames and the Victorian artist's district are to the south. It is often said that Chelsea reflects an odd mixture of reticent English upper class and the cultural Avant-garde. Chelsea, though, has long been known for it's Bohemian quarter, the haunt of Arist's and radicals.

Apart from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, other famous residents include; Sylvia Pankhurst, Elizabeth Gaskell and the Iron Lady herself, Margaret Thatcher.

Of the famous buildings in Chelsea, the best known must be the Royal Hospital. This great establishment was founded by Charles II in the year 1682 for the use of veteran and invalid soldiers. Sir Christopher Wren designed most of the buildings, and his work can be seen at it's finest in the Figure Court and the Chapel. Alterations and additions were subsequently made by Robert Adam and Sir John Soane. The Hospital houses a number of army pensioners who parade in their scarlet frock-coats on Oak Apple Day, May 29th. The uniform of the Chelsea pensioner has hardly changed in 260 years, it is scarlet for summer and dark blue, in winter. The famous three cornered hats are worn on special occasions only.

The National Army Museum too, is well worth a visit.

Once famous for Chelsea China ware, which although the works ceased to be here long ago, can still be bought. Today, original pieces sold at auction can fetch a high value. The Chelsea bun also originated here and it is here too, that the Chelsea Flower Show is held. A visit to Chelsea is a great experience and as you can see, not just for it's lively pubs and bars.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Chelsea

Brompton Cemetery	(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
Battersea Park	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)	Pictures
The Natural History Museum	(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)	Pictures
Victoria and Albert Museum	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)	Pictures
The Science Museum	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)	Pictures
Earl's Court Exhibition Centre	(1.0 miles, 1.7 km)	Pictures
Royal Albert Hall	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km)	Pictures
Albert Memorial	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
The Serpentine Gallery	(1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Hyde Park	(1.5 miles, 2.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Wellington Arch	(1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction NE)	Pictures
The Wellington Museum	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Westminster Cathedral	(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Kensington Palace	(1.8 miles, 2.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Holland Park	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in Chelsea
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Recommended towns near Chelsea

Kensington in the county of Greater London (1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction NW)
The attractive Royal borough of Kensington has many special places. Most prominent is Kensington Palace, birthplace of Queen Victoria.
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Fulham in the county of Greater London (1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction W)
It is the home to both Fulham Football Club and Chelsea, both play at Premiership level, thus some of the football's most talented and highly paid stars can often be spotted strolling along Fulham's streets.
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Mayfair in the county of Greater London (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NE)
Mayfair has it all, it is the haunt of the rich and famous, with elegant houses and apartment buildings that are the sole province of the wealthy.
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Westminster in the county of Greater London (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NE)
Of all the jewels in the City of Westminster, none shines more brightly than Westminster Abbey, stunning setting for the coronation of almost every English monarch since William the Conqueror was crowned there in 1066.
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Piccadilly in the county of Greater London (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction NE)
One of the Capital's most noted places, Piccadilly sweeps uphill with handsome houses on one side and Green Park on the other.
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Hammersmith in the county of Greater London (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction W)
Hammersmith developed around the River Thames, which is crossed via a graceful suspension bridge designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette.
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Notting Hill in the county of Greater London (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction NW)
This area of London is known throughout the world as the scene of London's biggest annual street party.
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Marylebone in the county of Greater London (2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction NE)
Marylebone is one of London's more affluent area's, it is home mostly to the well to do, and yet only a couple of centuries ago a large workhouse was built here to give shelter to the poor and homeless, often foundlings were discovered on the workhouse doorstep.
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London in the county of Greater London (2.6 miles, 4.3 km, direction NE)
London is one of the World's most exciting, cultural destinations where visitors can walk with history whilst enjoying all that...
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St Pancras in the county of Greater London (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction NE)
The name of the area is taken from the boy martyred in AD 304. Pancras was the orphaned Christian son of a Phrygian nobleman who was brought up at the court of the Emperor in Rome.
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Camden Town in the county of Greater London (4.1 miles, 6.5 km, direction N)
Camden town is a vibrant cosmopolitan region of London.
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Kew in the county of Greater London (4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction W)
Kew is just downstream from the delights of Richmond, and is best known for the Royal Botanic Gardens, or as they are more popularly known 'Kew Gardens'.
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Ealing in the county of Greater London (5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction W)
Ealing is a thriving place which is now hugely cosmopolitan and has a wide range of multi-cultural offerings.
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Stoke Newington in the county of Greater London (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction NE)
Stoke Newington offers visitors a diverse cultural experience, it has restaurants of all types of cuisine, plenty of pubs, clubs, shops and markets, and is sufficiently close to all the historic attractions at the heart of the City of London.
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Stamford Hill in the county of Greater London (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NE)
Stamford Hill lies in the north of the London Borough of Hackney. It is a popular residential area, and home to one of Europes' largest Orthodox Jewish communities.
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All towns in Greater London
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Nearby events

20th May to 24th May 2008

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2008

in Chelsea, Greater London, England

Nearby travel help

South Kensington Tube Station	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Gloucester Road Tube Station	(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)
Fulham Broadway Station	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Parsons Green Station	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km)
M4 Junction 1	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction W)
M4 Junction 2	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction W)
London City Airport	(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction E)
London Heathrow Airport	(11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction W)

Hotels & Accommodation in Chelsea

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Chelsea center
Cranley Gardens Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Chelsea Lodge Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Sydney House Chelsea	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
The Cranley Hotel	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Astons Apartments	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Millennium Gloucester Hotel London	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Citadines Apart'hotel South Kensington	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
St Simeon	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Eden Plaza	(0.7 miles, 1.0 km)
All hotels in Chelsea