Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

These two separate boroughs were joined as one in 1965.  Both originated as Saxon settlements immediately to the west of the inner part of London and border the River Thames. In the 1600’s, agriculture abounded in the area and was the main fruit and vegetable supplier for London.   Both areas had royal patronage early on. Henry VIII took over the manor in Chelsea in 1536.  The young Queen Elizabeth I spent time at this manor.  James I built a theological college, which later was used as the Royal Hospital for disabled soldiers.  In Kensington, the manor of Kensington stayed within a prominent family.  The manor’s courthouse became known as Earl’s Court when the Lord of the Manor was elevated to the Earldom of Oxford. King William III moved into Kensington Palace in 1689 and was later the birthplace of Queen Victoria.  In 1851, the Great Exhibition was held in ‘Crystal Palace’ in Hyde Park, showcasing the art and science of the industrial age.  The proceeds of this event went to buy land that was developed and dedicated to the arts and sciences.  The Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum stand on this land today.

This borough is the most affluent in London and was deemed ‘Royal’ after Queen Victoria’s death in honour of her birthplace.  People from all over the world who travel to London will no doubt spend time in this borough as it is home to the famous shopping venues of Harrod’s and the Portobello Road Market.  Notting Hill, located close to Kensington Palace hosts a Carnival in late August that draws many people from around London and other parts of the world.  The Chelsea Flower Show is held each May in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. Through the borough’s history it has been a place of refuge for the persecuted Huguenots in 1685 and the Moravians in 1750.  It is also home to people from the Caribbean, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Middle-East and Africa.

Prayer Requests for this Borough