Kensington High Street is the continuation of Kensington Road. It runs through central Kensington, starting from the entrance of Kensington Palace and ending at Hammersmith Road near Kensington (Olympia) station, where the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea meets the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. High Street Kensington underground station serves the street.
The street was home to three well-known department stores, Barkers of Kensington, Derry & Toms and Pontings, from the late 19th century until the mid-1970s. Derry & Toms and Barkers were transformed into Art Deco buildings between 1930 and 1958. Derry & Toms boasted Europe’s largest roof garden area, featuring three different gardens, 500 plant species, fountains, a stream, ducks, flamingos and a restaurant.
The Barkers Group was purchased by House of Fraser in 1957, leading to the eventual closure of all three department stores. Biba was also located on Kensington High Street in the 1960s and early 1970s, taking over the Derry & Toms building and emphasizing its Art Deco style. The iconic store, however, was forced to shut down in 1975 due to the 1970s recession and other factors.
The future of Kensington High Street as a shopping destination was threatened by the opening of Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush in 2008. Nonetheless, changes made to the street’s layout aimed at creating a more pleasant shopping experience have had a positive impact. The concept of shared space was implemented, which removed pedestrian crossings and railings, allowing pedestrians to cross wherever they want. Bicycle racks were installed in the central reservation, and as a result, the street saw a dramatic reduction in accidents.
Kensington High Street is also a hub for the British music industry, with the UK offices of major labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Warner Music Group and EMI all situated in the area. It is also the location of the former Roman Catholic Pro-Cathedral of England, Our Lady of Victories, now a parish church, Kensington Arcade and a building that houses the Consulate of Romania and the Embassy of Paraguay.
The Underground Map project is creating street histories for the areas of London and surrounding counties lying within the M25.
The aim of the project is to find the location every street in London, whether past or present, and tell its story. This project aims to be a service to historians, genealogists and those with an interest in urban design.
The website features a series of maps from the 1750s until the 1950s. You can see how London grows over the decades.
Biba Biba was a London fashion store of the 1960s and 1970s, started and primarily run by the Polish-born Barbara Hulanicki with help of her husband Stephen Fitz-Simon.
Kensington School The Kensington Proprietary Grammar School was an educational establishment founded in 1830 that is perhaps best remembered for being one of the founders of the Football Association in 1863.
Linley Sambourne House 18 Stafford Terrace, formerly known as Linley Sambourne House, was the home of the Punch illustrator Edward Linley Sambourne and open as a museum.
Ansdell Street, W8 Ansdell Street (and Andsell Terrace) commemorate Richard Ansdell RA, whose animal paintings were highly popular with the Victorian public (Kensington)
Ball Street, W8 Ball Street was created by the Kensington Improvement Scheme of 1868-71, carried out by the Metropolitan Board of Works.
(High Street Kensington)
Duchess of Bedford’s Walk, W8 Lady Georgiana Russell, wife of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford lived at Argyll Lodge, a former house on Campden Hill, near the location of the road (Kensington)
Kensington Court Gardens, W8 Kensington Court Gardens is a late Victorian mansion block, completed in 1889, near to Kensington Palace and Gardens (Kensington)
Kensington High Street, W8 Kensington High Street is one of western London’s most popular shopping streets, with upmarket shops serving a wealthy area. (High Street Kensington)
Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 Kensington Palace Gardens is a street in west central London with some of the most expensive properties in the world. (Kensington)
South Edwardes Square, W8 South Edwardes Square derives its name from William Edwardes, 2nd Lord Kensington - the square was built on part of his Holland House Estate.
(Kensington)
Kensington High Street is one of western London’s most popular shopping streets, with upmarket shops serving a wealthy area. 
