Kensington Square
London W8

Behind the art deco splendour of Barker's department store, this square is one of the oldest in London.

 Kensington Square was laid out in 1685 and still has a few of its early-18th century houses. The square became an important artistic haunt in the 19th century, attracting such artists as Edward Burne-Jones, the Pre-Raphaelite painter and illustrator, who lived at No. 41. 

An array of blue plaques denote other famous former residents of Kensington Square, including two leading figures of the 19th century: the novelist William Makepeace Thackery, who lived at No. 16 and the renowned philosopher John Stuart Mill, at No. 18.