Looking for the best places to go trick or treating in Kensington this Halloween? You’re in the right place!
Kensington has become one of London’s most popular neighbourhoods for Halloween, with some residents going all out to transform their homes into haunted houses. With giant spiders scaling white townhouses, skeletons climbing balconies, enormous cobwebs and pumpkins covering entire doorsteps, it feels like a true Halloween.
In fact, Time Out named Kensington one of London’s 14 best neighbourhoods for trick-or-treating, following recommendations from Londoners on Reddit. (1)
But where exactly should you go?
We’ve put together a walking route through some of Kensington’s best-known Halloween streets, along with local recommendations and a few handy tips for families.
Looking for more Halloween fun? From spooky trails and pumpkin carving to family-friendly parties and shows, explore the best Halloween events in London for kids on Loopla.
Where are the best streets for trick or treating in Kensington?
The best-known Kensington trick-or-treating spots are concentrated around Kensington Square, Victoria Road, Phillimore Gardens and Holland Park.
We’ve spent hours finding Kensington’s best Halloween streets, comparing locations and putting together a walking route to help families find the spookiest spots.
One thing to remember: Halloween in Kensington can vary from street to street. You might find several decorated homes together, followed by a stretch where nobody is taking part.
Our tip: Use the streets below as a starting point, then follow the pumpkins and other families to find participating houses.
Our Kensington Halloween walking route
Best for: Families with children of all ages
When: 31 October
Suggested time: Allow around 1–1.5 hours, longer if you’re stopping frequently to trick or treat.
Starting point: South Kensington station
Finishing area: Phillimore Gardens, near Holland Park
This route takes you through six residential streets and squares known for Halloween displays.
You can also follow our Kensington Halloween walking route on Google Maps
1. Sumner Place, SW7
Start your Halloween adventure on Sumner Place, just a short walk from South Kensington station.
This lovely residential street has seen some impressive Halloween displays over the years, from giant spiders and skeletons to front doors covered in pumpkins and autumn flowers.
It’s also one of the streets featured in photographs shared by London content creators.
Keep your eyes peeled for enormous creepy-crawlies hiding among the flowers!
2. Drayton Gardens, SW10
From Sumner Place, head west towards Drayton Gardens.
Previous Halloween displays here have included skeletons in top hats climbing the buildings and spooky decorations around the front doors. The street also featured in Kate Goodwin’s 2026 Halloween photographs.
Not every house joins in, so look out for pumpkins and decorated doorways if you’re hoping to collect sweets along the way.
3. Victoria Road, W8
Next, head north towards Victoria Road, another great spot for Halloween house-spotting.
With its grand Victorian houses, there’s plenty of room for residents to go all out with their decorations. Think skeletons peering over balconies, cobwebs covering railings and pumpkins lining the steps.
It’s one of the streets we’d recommend visiting if you love a really impressive Halloween display.
4. Kensington Square, W8
Continue to Kensington Square, a beautiful residential square tucked away from the bustle of Kensington High Street.
The historic houses make a wonderful backdrop for Halloween decorations, with previous displays featuring pumpkins, cobwebs and spooky entrances.
Take your time wandering around the square and spotting your favourite displays.
Tip for parents: This is a good place to slow down before crossing Kensington High Street towards Phillimore Walk.
5. Phillimore Walk, W8
Cross Kensington High Street and head towards Phillimore Walk.
This quieter residential street leads into the Phillimore neighbourhood, home to some wonderfully imaginative Halloween decorations.
It’s worth exploring the surrounding roads too. Sometimes you’ll find several decorated houses together, while other times one home has gone all out!
With the colourful autumn leaves, this part of Kensington is especially lovely at this time of year.
6. Phillimore Gardens, W8
Finish your walk around Phillimore Gardens, another favourite for Halloween decorations.
Over the years, houses here have been decorated with Grim Reapers, skeletons, pumpkins and spooky displays in their front gardens.
As with the other streets, not every house takes part, so the displays can vary from year to year.
If you’ve still got some energy left, explore nearby Upper Phillimore Gardens and Argyll Road for a few more Halloween surprises.
👉 Follow our Kensington Halloween walking route on Google Maps
More Kensington streets worth exploring at Halloween
Got a little more time to explore? Here are a few more streets worth adding to your Halloween walk.
Upper Phillimore Gardens and Argyll Road
Just north of Kensington High Street, Upper Phillimore Gardens and Argyll Road are two more lovely spots for Halloween house-spotting.
Previous displays have included impressively decorated front doors, spooky skeletons and pumpkins galore.
The streets are close together, so you can easily explore both. They’re also a good option if you’d prefer a shorter walk starting from High Street Kensington station.
Ilchester Place and Abbotsbury Road
Over towards Holland Park, Ilchester Place and Abbotsbury Road are worth a wander too.
With their grand houses and leafy streets, they’re particularly lovely in autumn. Previous Halloween displays on Ilchester Place have included some wonderfully imaginative decorations, although Abbotsbury Road has been a little quieter in recent years.
As with all these streets, there’s no guarantee every house will be decorated, but they’re lovely places to explore along the way.
The Boltons, The Little Boltons and Tregunter Road
Fancy exploring a little further? Head south into Chelsea, where The Boltons, The Little Boltons and Tregunter Road are also known for their Halloween decorations.
The grand houses around The Boltons make a brilliant backdrop for giant spiders, skeletons and cobweb-covered entrances.
This area is a little further from our main Kensington route, so we’d suggest exploring it on a separate walk rather than trying to fit everything into one evening.
What time should you go trick or treating in Kensington?
Between 5.30pm and 7pm is a good time to start if you’re heading out with younger children.
You’ll get to enjoy the decorations as the sun goes down, with illuminated pumpkins and spooky displays looking especially impressive after dark.
If Halloween falls on a Saturday, expect some of Kensington’s more popular streets to be busy.
Older children might enjoy heading out a little later, but it’s best to finish knocking on doors by around 8pm.
Just want to see the decorations? You can visit during the day too. It’s easier to admire all the little details, take photographs and enjoy the streets without the evening crowds.
Kensington trick-or-treating tips for families
Before you head out for your Halloween adventure, here are a few handy tips to keep everyone happy (including the neighbours!).
🎃 Only knock at decorated houses
The golden rule of trick-or-treating? Only visit homes that look like they’re joining in.
Pumpkins, Halloween decorations and welcoming displays are usually good signs that a household is happy to hand out treats.
If a house is dark, undecorated or has a sign asking not to be disturbed, give it a miss.
👻 Be prepared for busy streets
Kensington’s Halloween decorations attract families from across London, so some streets can get pretty busy.
If you’re visiting with younger children, try heading out a little earlier. And if the crowds get too much, explore some of the quieter side streets instead.
🍬 Don’t take too many sweets
Some households welcome hundreds of trick-or-treaters, so their sweets need to go a long way!
Encourage children to take just one treat unless they’re offered more. And don’t forget a big thank you!
🔦 Bring a torch and stay together
Kensington has some busy roads, especially around Kensington High Street, so keep little ones close when crossing.
A torch is handy for spotting steps and uneven pavements after dark. You could also add reflective accessories or little lights to Halloween costumes so children are easier to see.
📸 Remember, these are people’s homes
Some Halloween displays are so impressive you’ll definitely want a photo!
Enjoy the decorations from the pavement, but avoid stepping into private gardens or climbing steps unless you’re invited.
And be mindful of residents’ privacy, especially when taking photographs of children.
Is Kensington worth visiting for Halloween?
Absolutely! If you love Halloween decorations, Kensington is a wonderful place to explore.
From grand houses covered in cobwebs around Kensington Square to spooky displays along the leafy streets near Holland Park, there’s plenty to see without spending a penny.
Just remember that not every house takes part, even on the most popular streets. We’d recommend picking a few streets from our route, heading out around dusk and keeping an eye out for pumpkins and decorated doorways.
And whether you come home with a bucket full of sweets or simply some brilliant Halloween photos, it’s a lovely way to spend an autumn evening in London.
Kensington trick-or-treating: Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to trick or treat in Kensington?
Kensington Square, Victoria Road and Phillimore Gardens are some of our top picks. The residential streets around Holland Park are also worth exploring, especially if you love elaborate Halloween decorations.
Is trick-or-treating in Kensington free?
Yes! Exploring Kensington’s decorated streets is completely free, and there’s no charge for trick-or-treating at homes where residents have chosen to take part.
When is Halloween in London in 2026?
Halloween falls on Saturday 31 October 2026.
What time should you go trick or treating in Kensington?
There’s no official start time, but 5.30pm to 7pm is a good window for families with younger children. You’ll get to enjoy the decorations as it gets dark, although popular streets can become busy.
Do all houses in Kensington give out sweets?
No, not every household joins in. Look for pumpkins, Halloween decorations or other signs that residents are welcoming trick-or-treaters. If a house is dark or undecorated, it’s best to leave it alone.
Can you see Kensington’s Halloween decorations during the day?
Of course! Streets like Victoria Road, Kensington Square and Upper Phillimore Gardens are lovely to explore during daylight hours too.
You’ll be able to admire the decorations without the evening crowds, although illuminated displays often look their best after dark.
References
- London’s 14 Best Neighbourhoods for Trick-or-Treat This Halloween — India Lawrence, Time Out, October 2024.
- Halloween in London – Best Trick or Treating, Spooky Decorations & Instagrammable Places — Claire Etchell, Claire & The City, originally October 2023, updated with 2026 content.
- Halloween in London With Kids 2026: Where to Trick or Treat — Shanti, The Kensington Diary, October 2026.
- Halloween Walk: Holland Park & Notting Hill’s Spookiest Streets — V. Lorain Broca, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON, October 2025.
- Halloween 2018: Parents Share Top Tips for Trick or Treating With Children — Katy Clifton, Evening Standard, October 2018.
- Halloween Doors of 2026 — Kate Goodwin (@kate_in_london_), Instagram, 18 October 2026.
- Halloween in Kensington 2026 — High Street Kensington, official Halloween programme.