About Imperial College and South Kensington

The South Kensington Campus of Imperial College is built on the former site of the Imperial Institute. The original gothic structure that housed the institutes was almost completely torn down in the 1960s and the building of the present day campus began.

The land of and around Imperial College was owned by Prince Albert (the consort of Queen Victoria) and some associates. After the success of their Great Exhibition they decided to use their profits to create a centre for technological and cultural learning. This continued to be implemented after Prince Albert's premature death.

The area is the now the site of several excellent and free museums:

• The Victoria and Albert Museum which houses many of the displays from the great exhibition as well as other exhibits on British culture and history.
• The Science Museum which celebrates science and technology focusing on innovations during and after the steam age
• The Natural History Museum which is split into two sections: one on the evolution of species and the other on the Earth's geology.

Located just North of the campus is the Royal Albert Hall, a famous concert venue. It hosts diverse cultural events from Sumo Wrestling to Bach's Organ Works.

The College is close to several parks: Kensington, Hyde and Holland, and also several main shopping areas: Knightsbridge (home of Harrods and Harvey Nichols), High Street Kensington and, a little further away, King's Road of Chelsea. The main transport link is the tube stop South Kensington Station, which has a direct connection to Heathrow Airport via the Piccadilly line.

There are also many excellent restaurants located in the area primarily around the station. See also: Top 10 Restaurants in South Kensington. For a quick lunch, there is the Senior Common Room at Imperial College, or a plethora of sandwich bars, pizza parlours and other eateries along and near Gloucester Road.

Things to do in London

For a comprehensive website of all things to do in London, including travel, accommodation and special offers please visit London Tourism Office Website

The most famous sights in central London:

Near Victoria

• Westminister Cathedral

In Pimlico

• The Tate Britain

Near Whitehall

• Buckingham Palace
• Westminister Abbey
• The Parliament Buildings
• WWII Underground Cabinet War Rooms

Near Trafalgar Square

• The National Art Gallery

Near The Strand

• Covent Garden
• The West End Theatre District

On the South Bank

• The London Eye
• The London Aquarium
• The Tate Modern
• Millenium Bridge
• Royal Festival Hall
• National Theatre 
• Borough Market 
• Southwark Cathedral

In the City

• St. Pauls Cathedral
• The Tower of London
• Tower Bridge