Open House Festival

Neighbourhoods

Back to neighbourhoods

Kensington and Chelsea

Visit the original home of Chelsea pensioners, Royal Hospital Chelsea, to the remarkable decorative Victorian residence of Leighton House and the contemporary discreet interlocking houses at Walmer Yard.

A sumptuous feast of Victorian stained glass & bold sacred sculpture in what Sir John Betjeman called the 'cathedral of the Arts and Crafts movement.' Work by William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, William Blake- Richmond & Christopher Whall.

J. D. Sedding and Henry Wilson, 1888

Drop in

Institut français du Royaume-Uni

community/cultural, embassy/high commission

1939 Art Deco Grade II listed building refurbished in 1950, then restructured and modernised in 2014. Contains an authentically classic cinema, private salons and multimedia library.

Patrice Bonnet, 1939

Drop in

Leighton House Museum

historical house

Originally the studio home of Lord Leighton, President of the Royal Academy, the house is one of the most remarkable buildings of 19C. The museum houses an outstanding collection of high Victorian art, including works by Leighton himself.

George Aitchison, 1865

Walking tour

Royal Hospital Chelsea, Home of the Chelsea Pensioners

health, museum, historical house, military, mixed use

Numbered amongst the UK's architectural glories and boasting 66 acres of beautiful grounds, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has been home to the iconic Army veteran community fondly known as the 'Chelsea Pensioners' since its foundation in 1692. The Great Hall and Chapel will not be accessible from 12.00-14.00 on Saturday 16th September due to an internal event. The remainder of the site will be open during this time. Visitors should note that filming will be taking place during the afternoon of Sunday 17th September. If you would like to be excluded from any filming, please let our staff and volunteers know on arrival at the site.

Sir John Vanbrugh, Nicholas Hawksmoor, Sir Christopher Wren, Sir John Soane, Robert Adam, Samuel Wyatt, 1682

Drop in

Walmer Yard

housing, online

Forming a discreet and private set of four interlocking houses set around an open courtyard, Walmer Yard is Peter Salter's only UK project. The houses now form the home of the Baylight Foundation.

Fenella Collingridge, Peter Salter, 2018