This Easter, visitors to High Street Kensington will be treated to an impressive line-up of culture, themed events and springtime activities.
The season launches on Saturday 28th March in Jubilee Square when the destination’s regular Vintage Market will take on an Easter spin, with a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny and some chocolate treat giveaways. More spring fever is planned on 4th April at the inaugural Botanical Market, a new series of bi-monthly markets perfect for the green fingered. As well as picking up plants and flowers, the space on Phillimore Walk will be filled with botanical artists, ceramicists with vintage garden furniture and seasonal food and drink.
High Street Kensington’s strong cultural experiences are perfect for weaving into an Easter day trip too. From the new Last Princesses of Punjab exhibition at Kensington Palace and the ever-popular Wes Anderson: The Archives at The Design Museum to events and seasonal activities at Leighton House and Japan House. Plus, alongside pretty cherry blossoms walks in the destination’s parks and green spaces, the Milestone Hotel is hosting a specially themed Cherry Blossom tea. And, rounding off any Easter-holiday jaunt, for chocolate lovers, there are shopping treats galore. Find out more here: www.highstreetkensington.co.uk/
Specific highlights include:
150th birthday of Punjabi princess and suffragette icon Sophia Duleep Singh celebrated in a new exhibition at Kensington Palace
Launching on the 26th March, right at the start of the Easter school holidays, is Kensington Palace’s The Last Princesses of Punjab. This major new exhibition marks the 150th birthday of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh (Queen Victoria’s goddaughter) and a leading figure in the fight for women’s suffrage. The exhibition focuses on her life, the lives of her family members and those who influenced her. Visitors will follow a family profoundly altered by Empire, yet who became powerful agents for change in their own right. Contemporary responses from British South Asian women weave their voices into the narrative too making this a timely and compelling exploration of identity, resistance and legacy. The Last Princesses of Punjab runs until 8 November and is included in palace admission (tickets from £24.70 per adult and £12.40 children). For more information: https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/the-last-princesses-of-punjab
Family workshops, the art of Japanese flower arranging, Chadō tea demonstrations and Samurai films on show at Japan House London
Japan House London is staging a series of events and workshops this Easter exploring Japanese cultures. Inspired by its current free exhibition, Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan, from 30 March to 10 April, families can enjoy a series of hands-on, drop in craft sessions – all linked to Japanese design and making traditions. Alongside the family programme, on 9 April, Hyakkō in Bloom: Flower Arranging with Exhibition Ceramics invites visitors to discover the delicate art of ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), using ceramics featured in the Hyakkō exhibition.
Tea lovers are also in for a treat on 18 April, with a Chadō Masterclass demonstration by Tankokai UK. The event offers the opportunity to experience chadō – the time-honoured act of preparing and serving matcha – through an expert-led demonstration and tasting, revealing the ritual, etiquette and philosophy behind this centuries-old practice.
While on 12 and 22 April, film enthusiasts can enjoy screenings from the venue’s samurai film programme. For more information and to book visit www.japanhouselondon.uk
Wes Anderson Exhibition and children’s design workshops at the Design Museum
Alongside permanent and free to explore displays dedicated to past, present and future of design, The Design Museum’s hit exhibition Wes Anderson: The Archives also runs throughout Easter. Accompanying the retrospective, which explores the director’s distinctive cinematic output, children can hone their creativity with a series of Design Camps. Geared to 7-11 years and 11-14 years the day-long sessions run from 31st March to 2nd April and include Coding and Interactive Storytelling (£78pp), Stop Motion with Clay (£81pp) and Set Design (£78).
In keeping with Easter, chocolate lovers will be thrilled to experience a limited-edition afternoon tea menu, offering a playful take on the Courtesan au Chocolat. Served in the museum’s upper-level Design Kitchen, it features a standout centrepiece dessert that pays homage to one of the most memorable confections in Anderson’s filmography (from £38.95pp. For more information and to book visit: www.designmuseum.org
Easter events at Leighton House as the museum marks its centenary year
As part of its centenary year celebrations, Leighton House, the former home of Victorian artist Frederic Leighton, a new exhibition opens on 21 March. The Arab Hall: Past and Present, focuses on the museum’s celebrated historic interior and explores its history and significance today. A major project that includes new contemporary, site-specific commissions, a free exhibition, a special publication and an art film, offering fresh perspectives on one of London’s most remarkable Victorian interiors.
Over the Easter holidays, visitors can also take part in a tutored life drawing session in Leighton’s grand studio. Led by 2B Or Not 2B Collective, the class takes place on 7 April from 1–3pm (£30 / £15) and offers participants the chance to draw in the very space where Leighton created many of his most important works. Specifically for children, there’s also a ‘passport’ trail and map to enable families to discover the treasures of the historic house on a journey through art and time. The trail is free and included in the cost of admission (tickets £14 adults, £5 children, under 6 years free). For more information visit www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums.
Cherry Blossom tea and blooms
This spring, The Milestone Hotel & Residences is celebrating the season with its Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea, inspired by Japan’s much-loved ‘Sakura’. The limited-edition tea (running to 3rd May) features a selection of finely cut finger sandwiches including smoked salmon with nori & dill crème fraiche and a Katsu chicken mayonnaise with toasted almonds. There are also beautifully presented pastries and cakes including, at the heart of the experience, a signature cherry blossom inspired pastry of forced rhubarb with aerated cream, Opalys white chocolate, dulce crémeux and shortbread created by Paula Stakelum, Red Carnation hotel group’s Global Director of Chocolate & Patisserie. Known as ‘Paula Pastry’, Paula has curated this showstopping centrepiece to reflect her renowned artistry and chocolate expertise alongside Executive Chef Dan Putz of The Milestone.
Other delights include a Miso macaroon with peanut & raspberry, a yuzu and hibiscus choux and a Japanese rollcake. Plus, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves (including lemon and matcha curd). The afternoon tea is complemented by an extensive list of loose-leaf teas with the option to add a glass of Champagne. The Cherry Blossom tea costs from £85 for adults and £45 children, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and Halal variations are also available. For more information visit: https://milestonehotel.com/dining-and-drinks/whats-on/cherry-blossom-afternoon-tea
After tea, make the most of cherry blossom season with a stroll through Kensington’s nearby green spaces. Visitors can enjoy spring blooms in Holland Park, home to the tranquil Kyoto Garden, as well as the sweeping landscapes of Kensington Gardens, where blossom trees provide a beautiful seasonal display.
Meltingly good Easter Chocolate Shopping
For some chocolate-coated shopping, Kensington High Street is treat and truffle-filled. From luxury Swiss chocolatier Läderach (with their aesthetically splendid displays of handcrafted slabs, cute bunnies, chicks and praline eggs) to luxury Belgian chocolate maker Leonidas and Knoops which offers over 20 different hot chocolates to tantalise the tastebuds.
For those looking for something special for an Easter spread, fresh produce, specialist cheeses, wine, hampers and more can be found at Bayley & Sage and Whole Foods Market is a one-stop shop of world-favourite Easter goodies.
For more information www.highstreetkensington.co.uk
