Things to Do in Chelsea London

Saatchi Gallery

• Opened in 1985 to store and display Charles Saatchi's substantial collection of contemporary art, the Saatchi Gallery has changed facilities twice and now resides in the historical Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea. Representing the cutting edge of contemporary art, the displays at the Saatchi Gallery follow distinct phases, representing various focuses of the collection, from Indian pop art to contemporary American illustrations. One of the most famous focuses of the Saatchi collection is Young British Artists (or YBAs), of which the Gallery has an extensive collection.

  The Saatchi Gallery
  Duke of York's HQ
  King's Road
  Chelsea
  London, SW3 4SQ
  011 44 (0) 20 7823 2332
  www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk

Brompton Cemetary

• Brompton Cemetery is home to numerous celebrities and London luminaries, but it is the tranquil and peaceful setting, replete with quiet graves, angel accents, and climbing ivy, that attracts most of its visitors. Brompton Cemetery is home to many pensioners from the nearby Royal Hospital, as well as 13 winners of the Victoria Cross medal, England's highest military honor. It also functions as a local preserve, safely housing animals such as squirrels and foxes. Guided tours are available, which help visitors realize the historical significance of many of the thousands of monuments in the cemetery.

  Brompton Cemetery
  Fulham Rd
  London, SW10 9UG
  011 44 (0) 20 7352 1201‎
  www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/brompton_cemetery

Royal Hospital Chelsea

• Home to the famous Men In Scarlet, or Chelsea Pensioners, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has been a military hospital for more than three hundred years. Residents of the hospital are military retirees with no dependents who have chosen to give up their military benefits in exchange for living at the Hospital. They often serve as tour guides for visitors. The facility was designed in 1682 by Sir Christopher Wren, and the grounds feature a gold statue of King Charles II, dressed as a Roman military leader. Visit the on-site museum and listen to the recollections of old soldiers, and don't miss the beautiful Chelsea Chapel, which holds services every Sunday. The Royal Hospital Chelsea also hosts the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show every May.

  Royal Hospital Chelsea
  Royal Hospital Road
  London
  SW3 4SR
  011 44 (0) 20 7881 5200
  www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk