John Simpson: ‘I would sit in the pews at Chelsea Old Church and think of the people who had come before me here – Thomas More, Anne Boleyn – and my problems did not seem too important’
Distinguished journalist and broadcaster John Simpson CBE has a lasting love for Chelsea. He lived in the area for many years, until some uncertainty about his career at the BBC forced him to move. He returns this week for an Author’s Talk as part of the Chelsea Book Festival. Here, he shares a few memories of his former Chelsea life - and he wonders if anyone has somewhere for him to rent when he visits in the future! Where is home now for you now? I now live in Oxford, with my wife Dee, our son Rafe - when he’s not at university - and our Irish terrier, Cody. It’s lovely, quiet, and rather...
Sir Simon Jenkins: ‘The sadness about Chelsea now is depopulation. It’s a place that is half empty most of the time’
Sir Simon Jenkins, 82, is an author, journalist and broadcaster, whose stellar career has spanned more than 60 years. He was Editor of the Evening Standard from 1976-78. After seven years as political editor of the Economist, he was Editor of The Times from 1990-92. He is a columnist for the Guardian and has written numerous bestselling history books, including A Short History of England, A Short History of Europe and Britain’s 100 Best Railways Stations. Jenkins will present a lecture at the Chelsea History Festival entitled ‘A History of British Architecture: Who is to blame?’. He will...
Step into the Past with the Chelsea History Festival
The Chelsea History Festival - now in its seventh year - has revealed its full line-up for 2025, promising a five-day celebration of stories, people, and ideas that have shaped Britain and the wider world. Taking place from 24th-28th September, the much-loved event is set to bring Chelsea's rich cultural heritage to life through more than 80 events at iconic historical venues across the area. The festival has grown since its conception into a cornerstone of Chelsea's cultural calendar and remains the flagship event of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter. Supported by RBKC and headline sponsor...
Flippin’ Heck! McDonald’s Suddenly Closes King’s Road Restaurant
McDonald's on the King's Road suddenly closed on 6th July. The restaurant - at the junction with Royal Avenue - is now boarded up and will not be re-opening. The Citizen approached McDonald's with a series of questions asking for an explanation behind the dramatic decision, but only received a basic statement. A McDonald’s spokesperson said: 'The decision to close the restaurant was not taken lightly. All members of staff have been made aware and have been relocated to nearby restaurants, within the same company-owned group.' When The Citizen went to take photos of the closed building,...
Cascade flows across façade of The Gaumont
It has been three years in the making, but a stunning new public artwork has finally been unveiled across the façade The Gaumont building on the King's Road. Entitled Cascade, the ceramic abstract diptych fills two 609 x 288 cm panels on either side of the 1930s frontage that was once The Gaumont Palace cinema and theatre and now the focus of a considerable cultural re-generation for Chelsea. The new work - commissioned by Cadogan Estates - was unveiled by Lord Edward Cadogan in a special (and suitably quirky) ceremony from aboard an open-top vintage Routemaster bus on 10th July. Acclaimed...
Swallows and Armenians at The Chelsea Theatre
The Chelsea Theatre is staging an operatic play based on the Anglo-Armenian children who inspired Arthur Ransom'e much-loved children's novel Swallows and Amazons. 'Swallows and Armenians', by Iran-born playwright Dr Karen Babayan, will have just THREE performances - at 7pm on Friday, 20th June and at 2.30pm and 7pm on Saturday, 21st June. The story of the play is based on the five children who were the real inspiration behind the adventure story set in the Lake District. They were Taqui, Susan, Titty, Roger and Brigit Altounyan from Aleppo, Syria. They were the children of Ransome's dear...
The Citizen Reviewz Cartier at the V&A
'A dazzling exhibition of bling for billionaires, but it's little more than a glorified department store concession with a heart of stone' Two Starz Cartier, The Sainsbury Gallery, V&A Until 16th November. Tickets from £27. To book, go here The Citizen Reviewz... It easy to be quickly seduced by this exquisitely curated exhibition. How could any eye not be dazzled by 350 pieces of the most stunning jewels and objects ever made, displayed with such style and extravagance. The craftsmanships on show is the best of the best, some of them more than 100 years old, and much of...
The Inseparables: Finborough Theatre
'An ambitious and wildly imaginative production that suffers under the weight of debris from the breaking of the fourth wall' THREE STARZ The Play: The Inseparables by Grace Joy Howarth – based on the novel by Simone de Beauvoir, translated by Lauren Elkin. On until 10th May. Book here. France during the First World War. Nine-year-old Sylvie Lapage prays for France to be saved from the war, but her miracle arrives in the form of the new girl at school - Andrée. She is unlike anyone else – wildly bright and full of life. Finally, Sylvie has someone who makes her laugh,...
Legendary King’s Road nightclub 151 is re-born as The Rex Rooms
One of Chelsea's most famous lost nightspots has finally shaken off its hangover and re-emerged on the King's Road with an exuberant flourish. 151 - the small basement venue, so-called simply because of its street number - has reopened as The Rex Rooms at 151 and is set to carve out a reputation as the go-to partying destination that will revitalise Chelsea's late night scene. Behind the venture is a consortium of the talents from the worlds of clubbing, Hollywood and finance. Two of London's most celebrated nightclub creators are fronting The Rex - fashion designer Marc Jacques Burton and...
Lineker, the colossus of crisp acting, treads the boards at Finborough Theatre
Gary Lineker, the legendary character actor from television crisp adverts, was an unlikely late substitute on the team sheet at the Finborough Theatre. Lineker, the former England captain and Spurs and Barcelona striker, came off the bench to host a special discussion panel following a performance of the raw and bloody love story Men's Business (on 9th April). It emerged that the connection that prompted Lineker's unlikely appearance on the set is playwright Simon Stephens, who has adapted Franz Xavier Kroetz's Mannersache. Lineker and Stephens are close friends, so the ex-football star...
Chelsea’s Culture and Entertainment
In our Culture and Entertainment section, we will keep your diary ahead of the curve on everything that is happening at the landmark institutions illustrated below.
We will develop a comprehensive guide to everything that is happening in Chelsea, from plays, concerts and art exhibitions, to specially curated cultural and historical events.
We will also bring you expert reviews of reviews of restaurants, bars and clubs – and any parties we manage to attend.
And watch out for our definitive Chelsea pub guide.
