The London Festival of Architecture comes to Kensington

The London Festival of Architecture comes to Kensington

The London Festival of Architecture returns in June 2026 for a month-long celebration of architecture and city-making with the theme of Belonging. In Kensington, we will celebrate the richness of our diverse communities and the biodiversity of our green spaces.
Rooted in Kensington
Rooted in Kensington brings together art, biodiversity and architecture to showcase Kensington as an ecosystem of Belonging thriving on the connections between human and non-human, nature and culture, the visible and the invisible.
Tree Island
Tree Island by Toy Studio and artist MAMIMU in partnership with Opportunity Kensington reimagines Kensington’s “missing tree” through seating, planting and sculptural signage, drawing inspiration from underground ecological networks and the colours of Kensington landmarks, from the cobalt blue of Leighton House and the psychedelic hues of Biba to the pink cherry blossoms of Kyoto Garden.
Audio Tour: Kensington’s Parks, Planting & Architecture
Coming soon. Discover Kensington’s green spaces, planting and architecture through a self-guided audio tour exploring garden squares, biodiversity, historic buildings and the connections between nature, design and wellbeing across the neighbourhood.
Kensington Pollinator Pathmaker
Our Pollinator Pathmaker DIY edition is an artwork by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg for pollinators, planted and cared for by humans. Rooted in Kensington combines seating, planting and ecological storytelling to encourage reflection on pollinators, biodiversity and inter-species coexistence in urban life.
Featured Events
Kensington Botanical Market 6 June. Rooted in Kensington
June 6, 2026
Phillimore Walk, Kensington, W8 7RG

Come to Phillimore Walk for a day of greenery, garden finds, rare plants, handmade planters, botanical art and outdoor living inspiration.
As part of London’s Festival of Architecture, Rooted in Kensington on Phillimore Walk brings together art, biodiversity and architecture to showcase Kensington as an ecosystem of Belonging.
With seating and an architectural reinterpretation of our missing tree from Toy Studio, artwork from MAMIMU and a Pollinator Pathmaker planting scheme, we are showcasing a unifying concept of belonging, history, heritage and greening, enhancing this special corner of West London.

The Big Kensington Flea Market 27 June World Cup Special
June 27, 2026
Phillimore Walk, Kensington, W8 7RG

Join us on Saturday 27 June for our World Cup Street Fest taking place alongside our popular vintage flea market, celebrating our diverse population drawn from all corners of the globe – with global street food and football fun.

Think statement fashion, rare finds, retro homeware & handpicked gems.
No mass production. No repeats. Just pure vintage vibes.
If you live for the thrill of the find, this one’s for you.

Bring your tote. Bring your crew. Dig through decades.

PLATFORM at the Design Museum: Simone Brewster
February 13, 2026
the Design Museum, High Street Kensington
Find out more

PLATFORM is an annual display dedicated to showcasing contemporary design practice. Free to visit, the display presents the fascinating work of designer Simone Brewster
Photo: Charles Emerson

With thanks to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for their support, MAMIMU for the artwork, Toy Studio for the reclaimed wood installation, Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg for the Pollinator Pathmaker, our volunteers for the planting and London Festival of Architecture. With curatorial and production support from Vestalia Chilton.

Tree Island is also a key feature of the annual Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) as part of the Boroughwide KCAW Public Art Trail.