Avoiding Problems While Staying in Kensington

When you’re staying in Kensington you’ll be in one of the most popular centres of London’s tourist industry. The attractions of the borough for its many visitors are legion, including the Science and Natural History Museums, the Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and more. However, large numbers of tourists gathering together is an attractive prospect in itself for the less than savoury element of society, so, if you're visiting Kensington, be one step ahead with these handy reminders.

Queuing at the museums

Unfortunately, extensive queuing for admission is often encountered at the major Kensington museums – particularly in the peak holiday months. While waiting in the lines, be vigilant about pickpockets and also watch out for people offering 're-entry' or 'priority admission' tickets for sale. These are usually fake and worthless.

Albert Hall Tickets

This also applies to tickets offered for sale (usually just outside in the surrounding areas to avoid police detection) to big events here that are officially declared 'sold out'. The people offering them are colloquially referred to as ‘touts’; their prices may be astronomical and their tickets may or may not be genuine.

Also, be very careful about tickets being offered for sale online for Albert Hall concerts. The selling of counterfeit tickets isn’t unknown, so only purchase through known and official outlets when you’re staying in Kensington (your hotel can offer advice there).

Kensington Palace

If you’re staying in Kensington, a visit to this famous palace is a must. Be wary of false 'guided tour' offers that infer there is no other way (but theirs) to enter. This ruse is sometimes perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals or companies and is not, technically, illegal unless they formally state that there is 'no other way to gain admittance other than to pay us for a guided tour.' Entry to the palace (at the time of writing) does not require a formal guided tour, although you can, of course, join a professional tour if you wish.

Thames ferries and tours (Chelsea)

London is fabulous when viewed from the great River Thames, and such tours are ever popular and readily available. Something to watch out for, however, is if the crew or staff pass around a hat or box for a cash collection by way of seeking tips. This is sometimes accompanied by an explanation that they aren't reimbursed by their employer for their commentary and humour. This practice is becoming rare but is still sometimes seen; don’t pay and do report it!

Late nights and quiet streets London is one of the safer capital cities of Europe – at least in places such as Kensington. Even so, always use common sense if it’s late at night (or early in the morning) and you’re leaving a restaurant, theatre or party. Avoid backstreets, parks and other such locations when they’re dark and deserted.

Beggars

Even within living memory, beggars were almost entirely unknown on the streets of London, but now they’re commonplace - including in Kensington. Aggressive or persistent begging is rare and is strictly illegal – so report it if encountered. Official statistics show that less than one beggar in five in London is actually homeless, so when you’re staying in Kensington and visiting the major sights, be cautious of approaches from people asking for money.

Overall, the beautiful and salubrious borough of Kensington is considered safe, genteel and quite sophisticated. With any luck you'll never encounter any of the abovementioned issues, but it's better to be prepared.

Matthew Zelinski works for the London Regency Hotel, one of the top hotels in Kensington. If you’re staying in Kensington, this wonderful hotel embodies the true flavour of the area, with its traditional regency-style façade and superb facilities. Whether you're looking for accommodation in London for business or leisure, the Regency offers an effortlessly elegant experience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.