Lady’s Guide to a Lovely Chelsea Walk

It’s time for another self-guided walk in London. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my walks in Hampstead, Kensington, Notting Hill, and South Kensington, and now I want to bring you a self-guided walk in Chelsea.

Chelsea

Chelsea is one of London’s most sought-after neighborhoods. From the shops on the King’s Road to the pastel houses on the side streets, this area is full of beauty.

There are galleries and restaurants galore, not to mention the riverfront and weekend markets.

Add to that secret gardens, blue plaques with famous names, and quiet corners, and Chelsea is worth a wander.

Self-Guided Walk in Chelsea

This self-guided walk in Chelsea will guide you through the neighborhood’s pretty streets and mews. Cafes, pubs, and restaurants abound, so you can stop for a break en route if you want to.

Start your walk at Sloane Square tube station. Exit the station, cross the street directly in front of you (watch for cars), and go straight along the square until you get to the end.

Take a right to walk in front of Peter Jones and then a left on Symons Street. You can duck down Pavilion Road if you want some retail therapy, then continue on Symons Street until it reaches Cadogan Gardens.

Cross the street and turn right on Cadogan Gardens, then take an immediate left onto Draycott Place. The brick houses here are beautiful, and you can spend some time soaking up their details.

Walk along Draycott Place until you reach Blacklands Terrace. Take a left, then a right on Bray Place. Take your first left on Lincoln Street, then a right on Coulson Street. This area is full of pretty houses and tucked-away shops to admire.

At the end of Coulson Street, turn left on Anderson Street and right on the King’s Road.

Walk down it until you reach Bywater Street, then turn right. Bywater Street has some of the prettiest pastel houses in Chelsea, so make sure to have your camera ready.

Back out on the King’s Road, take a right and soak up the shops until you get to to Burnsall Street. Turn right and walk up, admiring the colorful houses.

When you get to the end, turn right on Godfrey Street and follow the right-hand fork. Soon you’ll come to a row of rainbow-colored houses that are worth stopping to admire.

When you reach Cale Street, you’ll see a small square to your right. You can explore it for a bit, or continue your self-guided walk in Chelsea by turning left to go down Cale Street.

Take another left on Astell Street and walk until you get to Britten Street. There are pretty brick houses along the way.

Turn right on Britten Street, taking in the tucked-away pubs and St Luke’s Gardens as you make your way to Sydney Street. Once there, turn left.

You can cross the street and explore the Chelsea Farmers Market if you want to, then continue down to the King’s Road.

When you get to the King’s Road, turn right and cross the street. Take a left on Glebe Place, where you can soak up more of Chelsea’s pretty houses.

Follow Glebe Place as it twists and turns, then continue straight as it becomes Cheyne Row. You’ll pass Carlyle’s House—a small museum with a pretty garden—on your way to Cheyne Walk and the Thames.

Once at Cheyne Walk, turn left and admire the gardens and river as you go. Peek into Cheyne Mews, which has connections to Henry VIII, then keep going along Cheyne Walk.

Take a left up Swan Walk, peeking into Dilke Street and Clover Mews on the way to see the colorful houses and cobblestones.

Back on Swan Walk, the Chelsea Physic Garden is one of London’s loveliest secret gardens and is worth a stop if you have time and it’s open.

If not, continue down Swan Walk until you reach Royal Hospital Road. Turn right when you get there and cross the street.

Turn left on Ormonde Gate and take in the brick houses, then turn right on Christchurch Street and left on Durham Place.

Continue as Durham Place becomes Smith Street, stopping to peek into Woodfall Street and Smith Terrace to see the colorful houses as you go.

Back on Smith Street, keep walking until you get back to the King’s Road.

Turn right and continue until you reach Duke of York Square, where you can visit the market if it’s a Saturday or keep going until you’re back at the Sloane Square tube station, where your self-guided walk in Chelsea ends.

I’ve written a lot more London walks and they’re all in my London walking tours blog post. There are more lovely walks outlined in London’s Hidden Walks, too. You can get it here.

Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!

New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.

Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission when you click on them and make a purchase. It doesn’t affect the way you shop, and it’s a great way to support the A Lady in London blog.

Pin it!