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Contact Us
Contact
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 10.00 am – 8.00 pm
Saturday 10.00 am – 7.00 pm
Sunday 10.00 am – 7.00 pm
Address
Santi London
33 Thurloe Street
South Kensington
SW7 2LQ
We are conveniently located at 33 Thurloe Street, just a short walk from South Kensington tube station (serving the District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines). Additionally, a cab rank and a bus stop are just moments away, ensuring easy access to our location.
Did you know that South Kensington was farm land. With sheep roaming around the building that is now Santi. It wasn’t until the Great Exhibition that a building boom occurred making it the fashionable area you know today. Aside from the huge museums in the area largely to house the artifacts collected during the Exhibition, a little known curiosity is the building styles in the area around the tube station. The station was constructed as an open shaft meaning that quite a few buildings in its path were demolished. Hence the strangely shped building on Thurloe Square and the odd architectural style at the start of Exhibition Road. When you look up you can guess that the buildings were literally torn down to create the start of Exhibition Road.
New plans are under way to improve the area with a revamp of the tube station to incorporate new buildings and office and residential areas around Pelham Street.
Cool things to do In Kensington, London
London’s Kensington neighborhood is known for its beautiful architecture, high-end shopping, and rich cultural offerings. Here are some cool things to do in the area:
V&A
Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum: This world-famous museum is dedicated to the arts and design and is home to an incredible collection of over 2.3 million objects.
Natural History Museum
Explore the Natural History Museum: This museum is dedicated to the natural world and is home to an incredible collection of specimens, including dinosaur skeletons, rocks, and minerals.
Albert Hall
Visit the Royal Albert Hall: This historic concert hall is one of London’s most famous landmarks and is home to a variety of cultural events, including classical music concerts, operas, and ballets. Read more about the architecture of Albert Hall.
Hyde Park
Walk through Hyde Park: This famous park is one of the largest open spaces in London and is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Hyde Park is named after its original landowner, Sir William Hyde. In 1536, Henry VIII acquired the manor of Hyde from the Abbey of Westminster and turned it into a hunting ground, which he named Hyde Park. Over the centuries, the park became a popular destination for recreation and entertainment, and today it is one of London’s most famous landmarks. Read more about Hyde Park.
Kensington Gardens
Stroll through Kensington Gardens: This beautiful park is adjacent to Hyde Park and is home to the famous Kensington Palace, as well as a variety of other attractions and scenic gardens.
Science Museum
Check out the Science Museum: This museum is dedicated to the history and development of science and technology and is home to a wide range of interactive exhibits and displays.
Venchi Chocolatier
Our neighbours at Venchi in South Kensington offer an exquisite selection of fine chocolates. Renowned for their luxurious quality and rich flavours, Venchi chocolates are a delightful indulgence, perfect for those who appreciate gourmet treats. While they may be a bit pricey, the exceptional taste and craftsmanship make them worth every penny. Moments from Santi!
More about Thurloe Street South Kensington
Thurloe Street is a charming and historic street located in the South Kensington district of London. Here are a few things that make it unique:
Location: Thurloe Street is situated in one of the most desirable areas of London, just a stone’s throw away from some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Architecture: The buildings on Thurloe Street are a mix of Victorian and Georgian styles, with many of them dating back to the 19th century. The street is known for its beautiful facades, intricate detailing, and ornate ironwork.
Shopping: Thurloe Street is home to a variety of high-end shops, boutiques, and galleries, making it a popular destination for shoppers looking for luxury goods and unique finds.
Dining: The street is also known for its vibrant dining scene, with a range of restaurants and cafes offering everything from traditional British cuisine to international fare.
History: Thurloe Street has a rich history, and was once home to notable figures such as the poet Robert Browning and the artist John Everett Millais. Today, the street is a designated conservation area, which helps to preserve its historic character and charm.
July in South Kensington
V&A Museum Events: The Victoria and Albert Museum is hosting the Upstart Festival on July 6, 2024, which focuses on careers in design. This event includes talks, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at young people interested in design careers. Additionally, there are various exhibitions such as “Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail” starting on July 27, and other ongoing displays like “Henry Willett’s Collection of Popular Pottery” and “Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration”
Design Museum Activities: The Design Museum is offering a free networking event called Ardagh Young Creatives x Design Can on July 6, 2024. This event targets young people aged 14-25, providing a chance to meet professionals from various design fields
New Restaurant Opening: Lina Stores has opened a new location in South Kensington, bringing fresh pasta and late-night negronis to the area. This addition is particularly exciting for food enthusiasts and adds to the vibrant culinary scene of the neighborhood
Ancient Beauty Routines
Ubtan is a traditional Indian beauty paste, which is used extensively in various rituals and personal care routines. This paste, deeply rooted in Ayurvedic practices, is famed for its exfoliating and rejuvenating properties. Here’s a detailed look at its components, benefits, and traditional uses:
Components
Ubtan typically includes a blend of natural ingredients, each selected for their specific benefits to the skin:
- Gram Flour (Besan): Acts as a cleanser for the skin, removing dirt and toxins while providing a gentle exfoliating effect.
- Turmeric (Haldi): Known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, turmeric helps in brightening the skin tone and reducing pigmentation and scars.
- Sandalwood Powder (Chandan): Cools and soothes the skin, helping in removing blemishes and also imparting a pleasant fragrance.
- Milk: Hydrates the skin, lightens tan, and helps in reducing fine lines through its lactic acid content.
- Rose Water: Tones the skin, maintains pH balance, and calms the skin with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Benefits
- Skin Exfoliation: Ubtan helps in removing dead skin cells to reveal fresher, smoother skin underneath.
- Skin Brightening: Regular use can lead to a natural glow and improved skin tone, thanks to the brightening effects of turmeric and sandalwood.
- Prevention of Acne and Pimples: The antibacterial properties of ingredients like turmeric help in preventing acne and pimples.
- Anti-aging Effects: Natural ingredients in ubtan can help in tightening the pores and reducing signs of aging.
Traditional Uses
- Weddings: Ubtan is famously used in Indian wedding ceremonies, particularly during the ‘Haldi’ ritual where a paste made of ubtan is applied to both the bride and groom. It is believed to provide a radiant look and purify the skin before the marriage.
- Everyday Skin Care: In traditional households, ubtan is used as an alternative to soap. It’s seen as a more natural and gentler way to cleanse and nourish the skin on a daily basis.
- Festivals: Similar to weddings, ubtan is used during major Indian festivals as part of the beautification and purification rituals.
Making Ubtan at Home
Creating ubtan at home is quite straightforward. You can mix equal parts of gram flour, turmeric, and sandalwood powder, then add milk or rose water to create a paste. Adjust the consistency according to preference—thicker for a mask, and thinner for a scrub. Apply it to the face or body, let it dry, and then rinse with warm water.
Ubtan not only represents a holistic approach to beauty that’s steeped in Indian culture but also exemplifies a preference for sustainable, natural skin care practices that harmonize with nature and body.