As literary tourism and the #BookTok continue to thrive, High Street Kensington is adding to its already impressive credentials with the launch of The Kensington Hideaway – a literary-themed hotel where each room is named after a writer connected to the West London destination. The 59-room boutique hotel, which opened this month, underlines Kensington’s remarkable heritage as a home and inspiration for influential authors, book illustrators and poets.
Adding to the literary story, within walking distance of the hotel, Kensington’s streets, gardens and houses are all brought to literary life through a number of experiences including a self-guided English Heritage blue plaques tour, visits to historic house museums, bookshop events, a specialist library haven plus specialist walking tours. Literary options waiting to be explored include:
Famous literary names and English Heritage’s Literary Kensington Blue Plaque Walk
Kensington has been a magnet for writers whose works have shaped British and global literature. English Heritage’s Literary Kensington blue plaque walk, brings these connections to life, with a walkable trail featuring the homes and workplaces of more than 10 celebrated authors including:
Sambourne House, Leighton House and the art of Victorian storytelling
Just behind Kensington High Street at 18 Stafford Terrace, is Sambourne House, the former home of celebrated Punch cartoonist Linley Sambourne and now a museum offering a fascinating peek into Victorian life and culture. Sambourne created more than 100 iconic illustrations for the 1885 edition of Charles Kingsley’s classic tale, The Water Babies, which remains a cornerstone of Victorian illustrated literature.
A short ten-minute walk away is Leighton House, the former home of Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, making the two houses ideal to visit together. Celebrating 100 years as a public museum this year, Leighton House was part of a wider Kensington circle where art, literature and intellectual life overlapped. A joint ticket to both houses costs £22 for adults and £8 children (under 6yrs free) https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums
Kensington Gardens, J.M. Barrie and Peter Pan
No literary exploration of the area is complete without a visit to Kensington Gardens, to see the pipe playing Peter Pan surrounded by woodland animals. His creator J.M. Barrie lived in nearby South Kensington and Bayswater, and his walks here inspired his famous novel. In 1912, he secretly commissioned the Peter Pan statue near the Long Water – now one of London’s most beloved literary monuments. For more information https://www.royalparks.org.uk/read-watch-listen/shrine-youth-peter-pan-statue-kensington-gardens
Literary Walking Tours
In addition to English Heritage’s self-guided blue plaque routes, London guided walks company Footprints is hosting a month-long London Literary Walks Festival in March, including on the 19th and 26th March Radical Works, Turbulent Lives: Great Kensington Writers. The two-hour tour looks in the lives, works and scandals of writers including GK Chesterton, James Joyce and Kenneth Grahame amongst others. Tickets available on Eventbrite and cost £12.50pp. For more information www.footprintsoflondon.com
Bookshops, libraries and author events
For book shopping there’s an impressive in-store book shop selection (and enticing window display) of second hand books at the High Street Kensington Oxfam store. Nearby, Waterstones Kensington is a must visit too particularly on one of its many author talks and readings events. The High Street located bookshop also hosts seasonal and family activities plus a monthly Kensington book club evening. For more information and to buy tickets for the 2026 programme: https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/waterstones-kensington
While nearby at The Library at Japan House London, there’s a rotating programme of themed book displays and literary-focused exhibitions (everything from Manga, Japanese food and folk arts), including the current exhibition which looks at cats in Japanese culture. I am a Cat – Japan House London is free and runs until 31st May 2026.
Also free to explore is the permanent library collection. Featuring rare titles that are otherwise difficult to find in the UK, visitors can learn more about a wide range of subjects covering Japanese cultures and innovation, ranging from architecture, gardening, and aesthetics to ancient poetry and contemporary manga. Both English and Japanese language texts are available for visitors to discover more. The venue also has an extensive selection of books and magazines available to buy in its Shop. www.japanhouselondon.uk
For Russian readers, there’s also the Idiot Books on Kensington Church Street, which along with a huge choice of Russian novels and non-fiction books hosts events and musical sessions. For more information https://idiotbookslondon.com/
A new hotel for a literary neighbourhood
Perfect for book lovers – and the ideal base to discover the destination’s literary credentials -is recently launched The Kensington Hideaway. Befitting the theme, the rooms are named after a writer connected to the neighbourhood. From William Makepeace Thackeray and Agatha Christie to T.S. Eliot and P.L. Travers, each author-inspired room reflects its namesake through subtle design details and atmosphere – everything from decorative ink pots to typewriter key signage.
Alongside the bedrooms, literary nods feature in the hotel’s restaurant and bar space too. Here guests and non-residents alike can eat, enjoy a drink or relax with a good book whilst soaking up the literary atmosphere in the 35-seat restaurant and bar (with its literary theme cocktails). Rooms from £215 based on two sharing a double room. https://www.thekensingtonhideaway.com/
