When traveling to see Chelsea football matches, it is important to get an itinerary in place, especially if you have intentions to embed yourself in the area for 1-2 days or more. Fans visiting Stamford Bridge from further afield may want to stay in London, a city full of sights to see, for a long weekend, which will require extra activities to fill up the schedule.
With this list, I am going to suggest some ideas for interesting places to visit in and around the Chelsea, Fulham, and South-West London areas.
It is worth noting that this is not in order of ‘which is best’ as everyone has different interests outside of football. Instead, it can be used as a guide to spark some inspiration in the initial planning phase of your trip.
1. Victoria and Albert Museum
First on the list is one of the gems of London and England as a whole. The Victoria and Albert Museum truly helped put the South-West London area on the map as it attracts people all year round from all corners of the globe.
Art and design, which is the focus of the museum, are inherent to the Chelsea and Fulham area, and you can see it in the buildings and the interiors of pubs and restaurants. Even Stamford Bridge itself has garnered a reputation for being one of the more luxurious stadiums in the league.
When I visited last year while on a football-focused long weekend in London, with the plan to watch the Friday evening game, early Saturday kick-off, and then the Super Sunday headliner, I chose the museum as one of the ‘time-killers’ between matches, the free admission to view a collection of world-class was too good of an offer to turn down and a nice change of pace from the roaring crowds.
Located at a 30-40-minute walk from Stamford Bridge, it might be worth jumping in a 10-minute taxi or taking the District Line from Fulham Broadway to South Kensington.
Location: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
2. The Lost Estate
The next option is not for the fainthearted, especially before a game of football. As a personal recommendation, this would be a great option to spend an afternoon or evening after the game (or the day after).
Fundamentally, The Lost Estate is a venue that hosts a number of immersive experiences. The most popular of these, and the one I chose to try out, was the murder-mystery experience based around the stories of Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Watson. This is a great time for fans who have interests in literature, collaboration with others, music, and the theatre.
When I attended The Lost Estate a couple of years ago, for an evening after a Chelsea win, I was blown away by how gripping the story was and the atmosphere that was built. You can also get involved in experiences developed around music, dance, and other interests.
Being only a 2-minute walk from West Kensington station, it is easily accessible from the Chelsea area, so great for fans who are spending multiple days in West London. However, with sports events tickets being quite pricey, around £150 per person, it is definitely something that needs to be planned beforehand.
Location: 9 Beaumont Avenue, London W14 9LP England
3. Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a nod to the fans who have an affinity for the dramatic. If a last minute Blues’ winner isn’t exciting enough, you can spend the evening after the game enjoying some of the best theatrical performances in London, let alone the SW area.
An evening event may be the best option here, as the matinee performances could clash with afternoon matches. The venue is slightly further afield at a 45-minute walk from the Bridge, a 10-minute drive, or a 20-minute journey on the District Line from Fulham Broadway to Sloane Square.
Although I’m not much of a theatregoer, I have heard from my friends who love the arts that it’s a great place to relax and discover some dramatic gems that you wouldn’t otherwise find in the larger, more mainstream venues in the West End.
In terms of pricing, you are looking at around £20-£40 per ticket, which isn’t too bad for a few hours of entertainment.
Location: Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS
4. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum may be one of the best options for traveling football fans in the Chelsea area, as it is a cultural site and is jam-packed with value. Due to the quality of the exhibitions and how fascinating the place is, you will need a few hours at least to see everything, but it is completely worth it.
In recent times, a wildlife garden has been added to the museum, which adds yet another ‘wow’ factor. Fans traveling from abroad to watch Chelsea can experience one of the shining lights of London here at a low cost. The Natural History Museum is mostly free, apart from some of the special exhibitions. But you can sink hours into the museum without even seeing everything.
Again, unless you fancy a 30-minute walk, the District Line to South Kensington from Fulham Broadway is the best option at only 17 minutes or so.
Location: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
5. Saatchi Gallery
Although the slick passing of Chelsea can sometimes feel like you’re looking at the Mona Lisa, if you are in the area for a day or two for the game, the Saatchi Gallery can tickle the craving for modern art.
The King’s Road-based building is itself a work of beauty, with pillars reminiscent of an Ancient Greek temple. I remember muttering ‘wow’ under my breath when I saw it for the first time. The best is to come once you head inside and check out an array of exhibitions from photography to more abstract forms.
The best part is that most of the exhibitions are £5 or under, with many being free, so it won’t break the bank and will keep your wallet full for a pre-game beer or two. Located on King’s Road, you have the option of walking for around 40 minutes, albeit in a straight line. Or you can hop onto the train to Sloane Square from Fulham Broadway.
Location: Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY
6. Scarlet Tour
Royal Hospital Chelsea is woven into the history of Chelsea and is well-known by residents of South-West London. Based in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the guided tour, the Scarlet Tour, is conducted by a member of the Chelsea Pensioner group who resides there.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea houses veteran members of the British Army who have become integral to the Chelsea area. The tour allows you to both support them and you get to learn about their lives and experiences. You’ll spend an hour or so perusing the grounds and taking in the impressive, calm surroundings.
Despite being at the heart of Chelsea culture, there is still quite some distance to the stadium. A 30-minute train from Fulham Broadway to Sloane Square is always there, while a 45-minute walk along the Thames might be the preferred route on a sunny day.
Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4SR
7. Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall is a perfect option for Chelsea fans who have a love for live music. The 950-seater capacity holds some of the most authentic performances that can be accessed in London.
Known primarily for its emphasis on orchestral music and poetry, the Cadogan might be suited to fans who have either an evening to relax before traveling home or are situated in the area for a long weekend.
The hall is located around Sloane Square, which sits 45 minutes away on foot and a 21 minute train journey from Fulham Broadway to Sloane Square.
Location: 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
8. Albert Bridge
The Albert Bridge is another free option for fans who want to stretch their legs, have a scenic view, and explore the area on foot. Located right in the Battersea part of Chelsea, it is an iconic part of what makes Chelsea the place it is. It’s a great place to see after traveling to Chelsea match at Stamford bridge.
What is great about this option is that it can easily be visited before or on the way to a game without having to plan ahead too much. Due to its location across the Thames River, it is a great starting point for football tourists who want to explore the beautiful river walks on offer.
Location: Battersea, Chelsea, London
9. Chelsea Physic Garden
Many have heard of the Chelsea Flower Show around the world, so fans coming from afar might already expect some excellent botanical gardens in the surrounding areas. The Chelsea Physic Garden is exactly that and runs parallel with the reputation that Chelsea has for being rather easy on the eye.
This option is definitely geared towards the ‘botanically curious’, as said on their website. The relatively steep entry fee, at £15, will most likely filter out those who are not avid flower lovers. A 34-minute walk or 30-minute train ride is required if coming from Stamford Bridge, so be sure to plan out a few hours for the Chelsea Physic Garden.
Location: 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS
10. Cigars Unlimited
Chelsea and luxury go hand in hand, and one of the iconic images of a luxurious life is a cigar. Although in our day and age, smoking is not something that is glorified, cigars still remain a treat for many and have become more of a hobby and interest-based industry.
At Cigars Unlimited, you are welcomed into a shop and club hybrid for cigar lovers situated in Fulham, only a 5-minute walk from Stamford Bridge. Due to its proximity, it is a fantastic place to relax both before and after the game. They have a comfortable sampling lounge where you and your group can sit and test out the premium cigars on offer.
Be warned, though, as the home of premium cigars, they will set you back quite a bit, with their top-of-the-range cigar boxes reaching into the thousands.
Location: 129, Walham Green Court, Moore Park Road, Fulham, London SW6 2PX
Go and Have Fun in the Chelsea Area
Well, that wraps up our list of activities football fans can do in and around the Chelsea area. From watching drama at the theatre and learning about the history of the world to immersing yourself in a curated experience, South-West London is brimming with fun things to do. Traveling to watch any team in the Premier League can require a lot of planning accommodation, and there’s a tonne of information that goes into a successful trip. I hope that this list has sparked some inspiration, taken some of the burden off of your shoulders, and has helped point you in the right direction.
