A Walk around Chelsea

Start from Sloane Square underground station.

Walk straight ahead to King’s Road. Turn left through an arch to Duke of York Square.

This former army barracks now houses shops, cafés and the Saatchi Gallery.

Pass the gallery; turn left into Cheltenham Terrace, then right into St Leonard’s Terrace. Turn left into Durham Place. At the end is the 300-year-old Royal Hospital.

In this retirement home for ‘Chelsea pensioners’, ex-soldiers wear traditional scarlet uniforms.

Cross Royal Hospital Road to visit the grounds, or turn right for the National Army Museum. Continue on Royal Hospital Road; turn left into Tite Street.

Former residents include Oscar Wilde (No 34), and painter John Singer Sargent (No 31).

Turn right onto Dilke Street.

At the end is a must for garden lovers. The 17th-century Chelsea Physic Garden helped to train apprentice apothecaries to recognize medicinal plants.

Turn left into Swan Walk. At the end, across the river, is the Peace Pagoda, a gift from Japan. Turn right on Chelsea Embankment; continue to Cheyne Walk, sheltered by gardens from the traffic.

Plaques mark the homes of novelist George Elliot (No 4), painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti and poet Algernon Swinburne (both No 16).

Continue past Albert Bridge to Chelsea Old Church, with its fine tombs.

The statue outside is of the Sir Thomas More, who lived here (1520–1535).

Turn immediately right into Old Church Street, past The Pig’s Ear pub and rejoin King’s Road. Turn right and return to Sloane Square past tempting boutiques.

Distance 5–6km (3–3.75 miles)

Time 2–6 hours depending on visits

Start/end point Sloane Square Map Reference 7C

Lunch Pig’s Ear (£–££) 35 Old Church Street 020 7352 2908

Royal Hospital, Chelsea 020 7881 5200 Daily 10–12, 2–4. Closed Sun Oct–Mar Free

Chelsea Physic Garden 020 7352 5646 Apr–Oct Wed 12–5, Sun 2–6 Café (£) Moderate