KDF Summer: Hotels & Travel

Hotels near Kensington

Most hotels listed have either been seen by us or used and recommended by stall holders. The prices quoted on this list (excluding those listed for the KDF Hotel Deals below) are APPROXIMATE & depend on availability. Most prices include…

Travel to Kensington

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT Train The closest main line stations are Paddington & Victoria. both on Circle/District Underground lines which goes directly to High Street Kensington Station. Underground High Street Kensington on the District & Circle lines is the closest stop…

London Dollshouse Showcase

Established in 1985, the London Dollshouse Festivals have been searching the globe for the best craftsmen who can perfectly replicate every day life in miniature. We have artists from all corners of the world attending our London shows. These craftsmen specialise in all aspects of miniatures from a grand, fully decorated mansion to a humble clothes peg & everything in between.

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LDF AUTUMN ONLINE SHOWCASE 2022: New exhibitors.

We are busy working away towards our Online Showcase that is taking place between September 2nd - 8th 2022. These events have become incredibly popular & we have a great selection of our regular craftsmen taking part, many of whom will be sharing new & unique work with us for the showcase.

We also have some new miniaturists joining the LDF family. These are 3 of the new makers joining the Showcase this time, but we have new craftsmen being added to out list right up to the show, so make sure you check out our website to see who will be included in the showcase (go to THE LIST & select ONLINE SHOWCASE in the ‘Exhibiting in…” field).

1: @rachelsminigallery is a new painter working in oils.
2: @ltwminiatures create tiny patchwork quilts for your mini beds.
3: @ehoughartist is another incredible painter joining our gallery.

We are always on the look out for new & exciting talent for all our shows, so if you know anyone who you would like to see at our events please let us know & we will contact them.

The showcase will be available Free to all with no pre registration needed from 11am on Friday 2nd September. Moe details on the showcase to come.

#miniatures #dollshouse #dollhouse #miniaturepainting #patchwork #onlineevent

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LDF AUTUMN ONLINE SHOWCASE 2022: New exhibitors. We are busy working away towards our Online Showcase that is taking place between September 2nd - 8th 2022. These events have become incredibly popular & we have a great selection of our regular craftsmen taking part, many of whom will be sharing new & unique work with us for the showcase. We also have some new miniaturists joining the LDF family. These are 3 of the new makers joining the Showcase this time, but we have new craftsmen being added to out list right up to the show, so make sure you check out our website to see who will be included in the showcase (go to THE LIST & select ONLINE SHOWCASE in the ‘Exhibiting in…” field). 1: @rachelsminigallery is a new painter working in oils. 2: @ltwminiatures create tiny patchwork quilts for your mini beds. 3: @ehoughartist is another incredible painter joining our gallery. We are always on the look out for new & exciting talent for all our shows, so if you know anyone who you would like to see at our events please let us know & we will contact them. The showcase will be available Free to all with no pre registration needed from 11am on Friday 2nd September. Moe details on the showcase to come. #miniatures #dollshouse #dollhouse #miniaturepainting #patchwork #onlineevent

2 days ago

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Introducing…. The Perfection in Miniature Award winners 2022

I have already posted photos of the the winning entries in the PIMA this year, but I wanted to also post photos of the creators of these amazing miniatures. Miniaturists, as a species, can be pretty shy & retiring, so I always think it is good to be able to put a face to the work.

All these pictures were taken at the KDF Summer Show. Our events are a unique time when all of the very talented makers who attend our shows leave their workshops & are on call to answer any questions you may have about their creations. They are all very skilled in their particular field – many, such as Mike, have been working in miniatures for over 30 years.

We are having an Online Showcase in September, but I do urge you to support our live shows too if you can as they are such a great chance to get up close & personal to the incredible work on show AND the craftsmen too.

If you visit our website & click on NEWS or COMPETITIONS & to find this article, it will include a link to a lovely film made by regular KDF visitor Josje Bouwt, showing more of the entries in the PIMAs this year as well as cottage of the show itself.

Next Shows:

Autumn Online Showcase Sept 2nd - 8th 2022 (free access via our website).

Kensington Dollshouse Festival Christmas Show Dec 3rd Kensington Town Hall.

#dollshouses #miniatures #competition #liveevents

kensingtondollshouse

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Introducing…. The Perfection in Miniature Award winners 2022 I have already posted photos of the the winning entries in the PIMA this year, but I wanted to also post photos of the creators of these amazing miniatures. Miniaturists, as a species, can be pretty shy & retiring, so I always think it is good to be able to put a face to the work. All these pictures were taken at the KDF Summer Show. Our events are a unique time when all of the very talented makers who attend our shows leave their workshops & are on call to answer any questions you may have about their creations. They are all very skilled in their particular field – many, such as Mike, have been working in miniatures for over 30 years. We are having an Online Showcase in September, but I do urge you to support our live shows too if you can as they are such a great chance to get up close & personal to the incredible work on show AND the craftsmen too. If you visit our website & click on NEWS or COMPETITIONS & to find this article, it will include a link to a lovely film made by regular KDF visitor Josje Bouwt, showing more of the entries in the PIMAs this year as well as cottage of the show itself. Next Shows: Autumn Online Showcase Sept 2nd - 8th 2022 (free access via our website). Kensington Dollshouse Festival Christmas Show Dec 3rd Kensington Town Hall. #dollshouses #miniatures #competition #liveevents

2 weeks ago

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SHOPPING AT LONDON DOLLSHOUSE FESTIVALS: We love hearing from dollshouse enthusiasts who visit our shows & we love to see what you buy too. I was so pleased to hear from Caroline after our recent KDF Summer Show, who sent me this lovely photo & a little story about it. "I had the (ultimate!) pleasure of attending the London show nearly three weeks ago from the United States and would like to share a story with you. I subscribed to Miniature Collector magazine some time ago —and a few years later, was simply overjoyed—and beyond flattered—when they featured an article on my house and my work in their magazine. It was through The Miniature Collector that I first learned about the London show…I saw a photo of a dollhouse room that had a small shopping bag from the “London Dollshouse Festival.“ And not only did I need to attend from that point on but I had to have one of those bags! I dreamed of going to that show for so many years…and 2022 was kismet. Needless to say, I hoped I would find something similar for my dollhouse as a token of my recent trip—but when I didn’t, I was determined to happily take matters into my own hands. So, I downloaded the show’s logo from your website online, added some Union Jack bunting as well as the show’s dates, and made my own bag—even adding some 1:144 goodies I crafted and painted for this miniature shopping excursion. What an absolute joy this event was…and I hope to return someday very soon.” I also happened to visit a collectors house recently & saw one of their old mini LDF carrier bags in their collection. The person who used to make these bags for us is now retired but I will definitely be on the hunt for someone new to carry on this tradition! Any ideas? #dollshouse #miniatures #carrierbag #shopsmall

3 weeks ago

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Looking forward to a great weekend!

#platinumjubilee #thequeen #corgis #miniatures

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Looking forward to a great weekend! #platinumjubilee #thequeen #corgis #miniatures

4 weeks ago

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PERFECTION IN MINIATURE AWARDS 2022

We have just posted a couple of new articles about the winners & runners up in the PIMA 2022 on our website. there is a link to our website in the bio. You will find the articles on the NEWS or the COMPETITIONS pages. One of the articles is about 2nd place Laura’s Cat. Jeremy Smith talks a little bit about how he came to make this complex & unique piece for this year’s competition.

#competition #2ndplace #dollshouses #minaitures #articulated

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PERFECTION IN MINIATURE AWARDS 2022 We have just posted a couple of new articles about the winners & runners up in the PIMA 2022 on our website. there is a link to our website in the bio. You will find the articles on the NEWS or the COMPETITIONS pages. One of the articles is about 2nd place Laura’s Cat. Jeremy Smith talks a little bit about how he came to make this complex & unique piece for this year’s competition. #competition #2ndplace #dollshouses #minaitures #articulated

4 weeks ago

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5/14

UNICEF FOR UKRAINE: Thanks to everyone for your generosity.

We have totted up all the money donated to our Unicef for Ukraine table the Summer Show earlier this month & are pleased to announce we raised a total of £1450.00.

A HUGE thank you to all the exhibitors who donated somer really special items for our LUCKY DRAW & to all the visitors at the show who took part. It was such a great way to raise money & another thank you to @thepigstyle for coming up with the idea & lending us the beautiful antique shop to use.

We were also selling some of @floraldecormini beautiful sunflowers. Yevheniia’s incredible story has captured us all & you can read more about her life in the past few months on our website. (go to NEWS page.

We really hope that Yevheniia will be able to finally attend the show in December.

#ukraine #sunflowers #unicef #refugees

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UNICEF FOR UKRAINE: Thanks to everyone for your generosity. We have totted up all the money donated to our Unicef for Ukraine table the Summer Show earlier this month & are pleased to announce we raised a total of £1450.00. A HUGE thank you to all the exhibitors who donated somer really special items for our LUCKY DRAW & to all the visitors at the show who took part. It was such a great way to raise money & another thank you to @thepigstyle for coming up with the idea & lending us the beautiful antique shop to use. We were also selling some of @floraldecormini beautiful sunflowers. Yevheniia’s incredible story has captured us all & you can read more about her life in the past few months on our website. (go to NEWS page. We really hope that Yevheniia will be able to finally attend the show in December. #ukraine #sunflowers #unicef #refugees

1 month ago

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6/14

KDF SUMMER SHOW 2022: Catalogues available!

We have been clearing out the LDF Studio today & we do have a limited number of catalogues from the Summer Show available to you if you were unable to attend.

We do have to charge p&p I'm afraid as follows: UK - £2.50, EU - £4.50, R.O.W: £6.00.

These are available on 1st come, 1st served basis until we run out.

Please DM me if you would like us to send you a catalogue. Payment by Paypal.

We used this beautiful photo for our cover; a 1:144 scale dolls house by Small Time.

#dollshouses #dollhouse #miniatures #limitededition

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KDF SUMMER SHOW 2022: Catalogues available! We have been clearing out the LDF Studio today & we do have a limited number of catalogues from the Summer Show available to you if you were unable to attend. We do have to charge p&p I'm afraid as follows: UK - £2.50, EU - £4.50, R.O.W: £6.00. These are available on 1st come, 1st served basis until we run out. Please DM me if you would like us to send you a catalogue. Payment by Paypal. We used this beautiful photo for our cover; a 1:144 scale dolls house by Small Time. #dollshouses #dollhouse #miniatures #limitededition

1 month ago

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7/14

PERFECTION IN MINIATURE AWARDS 2022: Highly Commended

The judging of the awards happens in 2 stages. The 1st round of judging is blind. Judges do not know who made each piece. All are displayed together & information on the entries is available for the judges to read.

The most popular entries from round one, are accepted into round 2. This is a discussion between the judges about each piece. They can now all know who the makers are. The 3 winners are then selected by the judges & the remaining entries from round 2 are awarded a “Highly Commended”.

Highly Commended entries:

1: Miss Market Garden by Annelies de Kort. This incredible bit of micro knitting was created in remembrance of Operation Market Garden in 1944, the story told in the film “A Bridge too Far”. Each panel of the skirt showed a different scene. The detail was excellent.

2: Writing Bureau Cabinet by Rohit’s Miniatures. We posted about this piece yesterday as it was also the winner of the “People’s Choice Award”.

3: 20th Century Metal Artist Trunk by Alexandra Cantatore of Alemikimikri. A beautifully made trunk, battered & aged & filled with layer upon layer of gorgeous artists tools & materials.

4: Tapestry Fringed Stool by Nicola Mascall. Always one to beat in the PIMA, Nicola has won before & had a other entries placed like her American Sampler in 2020. She decided to do something different this time so she made the stool as well as creating the tapestry for it - it was the 1st piece of furniture she had made.

All entries can be viewed on the Competition Page of our website now.

#competition #artisttrunk #operationmarketgarden #ornatefurniture #tappestrystool

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PERFECTION IN MINIATURE AWARDS 2022: Highly Commended The judging of the awards happens in 2 stages. The 1st round of judging is blind. Judges do not know who made each piece. All are displayed together & information on the entries is available for the judges to read. The most popular entries from round one, are accepted into round 2. This is a discussion between the judges about each piece. They can now all know who the makers are. The 3 winners are then selected by the judges & the remaining entries from round 2 are awarded a “Highly Commended”. Highly Commended entries: 1: Miss Market Garden by Annelies de Kort. This incredible bit of micro knitting was created in remembrance of Operation Market Garden in 1944, the story told in the film “A Bridge too Far”. Each panel of the skirt showed a different scene. The detail was excellent. 2: Writing Bureau Cabinet by Rohit’s Miniatures. We posted about this piece yesterday as it was also the winner of the “People’s Choice Award”. 3: 20th Century Metal Artist Trunk by Alexandra Cantatore of Alemikimikri. A beautifully made trunk, battered & aged & filled with layer upon layer of gorgeous artists tools & materials. 4: Tapestry Fringed Stool by Nicola Mascall. Always one to beat in the PIMA, Nicola has won before & had a other entries placed like her American Sampler in 2020. She decided to do something different this time so she made the stool as well as creating the tapestry for it - it was the 1st piece of furniture she had made. All entries can be viewed on the Competition Page of our website now. #competition #artisttrunk #operationmarketgarden #ornatefurniture #tappestrystool

1 month ago

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8/14

PERFECTION IN MINIATURE AWARDS 2022: Winners.

Finally, I am able to show you photos of the winners of the 2022 PIMA. It was a great competition this year with, as usual, a wide variety of entries. Everyone was thrilled that Mike Sparrow walked off with 1st Prize. He got a huge cheer when it was announced at the PIMA Award Ceremony at the KDF Summer Show last Friday.

This was the 1st time Mike had entered this competition & his entry “Supper Set” was a popular choice with the judges (Ahmed Al Thani, Caroline Hamilton & Susan Rogers) It had a huge amount of tiny components, all perfectly in scale & made beautifully.

2nd Place went to a PIMA regular Jeremy Smith of Catmando Miniatures. Jeremy won the PIMA a few years ago with his fully articulated artists mannequin, & has also had a 3rd place with a Japanese Puzzle Box & a Highly Commended with a Articulated Giraffe artists mannequin. This year he entered a miniature copy of a wooden articulated cat. The most amazing thing about this tiny creation was how it could be played with & positioned without worry of breaking it. I hope Jeremy will send more info on how he created this.

3rd Place went to the lovely Hong MacKenzie of Hana Minis. She stitched away in lockdown to create a truly remarkable Aubusson Rug. It took over a year & a half to complete & had over 260 000 stitches in the design. Hong is quite new to tapestry, so this makes this feat even more incredible.

Interestingly, the People’s Choice Award went to another entry that our judges had awarded a Highly Commended. This incredible Ornate Bureau Cabinet was made by Rohit’s Miniatures. The detail was incredible with all the tiny drawers & cupboards opening. Rohit had been a previous 3rd Place in the PIMA with a very clever extending circular table.

I will post the Highly Commended entries tomorrow, but you can see all the entries in this years competition on our website now. (link in bio & click on “Competitions”)

#competition #winners #miniatues #perfection

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PERFECTION IN MINIATURE AWARDS 2022: Winners. Finally, I am able to show you photos of the winners of the 2022 PIMA. It was a great competition this year with, as usual, a wide variety of entries. Everyone was thrilled that Mike Sparrow walked off with 1st Prize. He got a huge cheer when it was announced at the PIMA Award Ceremony at the KDF Summer Show last Friday. This was the 1st time Mike had entered this competition & his entry “Supper Set” was a popular choice with the judges (Ahmed Al Thani, Caroline Hamilton & Susan Rogers) It had a huge amount of tiny components, all perfectly in scale & made beautifully. 2nd Place went to a PIMA regular Jeremy Smith of Catmando Miniatures. Jeremy won the PIMA a few years ago with his fully articulated artists mannequin, & has also had a 3rd place with a Japanese Puzzle Box & a Highly Commended with a Articulated Giraffe artists mannequin. This year he entered a miniature copy of a wooden articulated cat. The most amazing thing about this tiny creation was how it could be played with & positioned without worry of breaking it. I hope Jeremy will send more info on how he created this. 3rd Place went to the lovely Hong MacKenzie of Hana Minis. She stitched away in lockdown to create a truly remarkable Aubusson Rug. It took over a year & a half to complete & had over 260 000 stitches in the design. Hong is quite new to tapestry, so this makes this feat even more incredible. Interestingly, the People’s Choice Award went to another entry that our judges had awarded a Highly Commended. This incredible Ornate Bureau Cabinet was made by Rohit’s Miniatures. The detail was incredible with all the tiny drawers & cupboards opening. Rohit had been a previous 3rd Place in the PIMA with a very clever extending circular table. I will post the Highly Commended entries tomorrow, but you can see all the entries in this years competition on our website now. (link in bio & click on “Competitions”) #competition #winners #miniatues #perfection

1 month ago

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KDF CHRISTMAS SHOW: Dec 3rd 2022. I know that is is only one day since the doors closed on the Summer Show, but I wanted to post about @theedenrealm who will be attending our Christmas Show. On Wednesday night I left the chaos of the KDF office & headed over to @oxotowerwharf to the @londoncraftweek where Gabriel was exhibiting his latest work ( you can still go see it if you are in London as I think it will be there all this week). Gabriel is an incredibly talented miniature house builder & we are pleased to announce that he will be back at Kensington Town Hall for our Christmas Show. #christmas #dollshouse #miniatures

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KDF CHRISTMAS SHOW: Dec 3rd 2022. I know that is is only one day since the doors closed on the Summer Show, but I wanted to post about @theedenrealm who will be attending our Christmas Show. On Wednesday night I left the chaos of the KDF office & headed over to @oxotowerwharf to the @londoncraftweek where Gabriel was exhibiting his latest work ( you can still go see it if you are in London as I think it will be there all this week). Gabriel is an incredibly talented miniature house builder & we are pleased to announce that he will be back at Kensington Town Hall for our Christmas Show. #christmas #dollshouse #miniatures

1 month ago

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10/14

KDF SUMMER: another show over. What a great couple of days at Kensington Town Hall with all our miniac friends! We were so pleased to see the contestants of #greatbigtinydesignchallenge at the show. Make sure you tune in tomorrow to see who takes away the first prize! We have had such a busy few days I haven’t had time to post, but I will be sharing lots of photos from the show next week including the winners of the Perfection in Miniature awards 2022. I need to sleep first. #dollshouse #miniatures #competition

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KDF SUMMER: another show over. What a great couple of days at Kensington Town Hall with all our miniac friends! We were so pleased to see the contestants of #greatbigtinydesignchallenge at the show. Make sure you tune in tomorrow to see who takes away the first prize! We have had such a busy few days I haven’t had time to post, but I will be sharing lots of photos from the show next week including the winners of the Perfection in Miniature awards 2022. I need to sleep first. #dollshouse #miniatures #competition

1 month ago

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11/14

KDF SUMMER: 2 days to go. Craftsmen are flying in from all over the world to take part in our Summe r Show. @cinen.mini 🇮🇹will be attending the show for the first time since 2919 & bringing with them their quirky & unusual furniture and accessories for shops, houses, pubs, cafes etc. This is where to look for those unusual pieces for your dolls house or model. The Kensington Dollshouse Festival Summer Show opens at 11am on Friday at Kensington Town Hall until 5pm on Saturday. Tickets available on the door. Nearest tube is High St Kensington. #dollshouses #miniatures #thingstodoinlondon #whatson

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KDF SUMMER: 2 days to go. Craftsmen are flying in from all over the world to take part in our Summe r Show. @cinen.mini 🇮🇹will be attending the show for the first time since 2919 & bringing with them their quirky & unusual furniture and accessories for shops, houses, pubs, cafes etc. This is where to look for those unusual pieces for your dolls house or model. The Kensington Dollshouse Festival Summer Show opens at 11am on Friday at Kensington Town Hall until 5pm on Saturday. Tickets available on the door. Nearest tube is High St Kensington. #dollshouses #miniatures #thingstodoinlondon #whatson

2 months ago

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12/14

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KDF Summer: 3 days to go! @tobaccoandregrets are a NEW EXHIBITOR at the show this week. We love Abi’s take on the miniature world. She has so many things that you must have if you want some reality in your dolls house like these tiny boxes of matches which will be perfect in the back of the kitchen drawers. Meet Abi & many other brand new exhibitors at our show. Floorplans are on our website, along with a list of exhibitors. Tickets are still available or you can buy them on the door when you arrive. KDF SUMMER SHOW. May 13th & 14th. Kensington Town Hall. #dollshouses #thingstodoinlondon #miniatures #matchboxes

2 months ago

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13/14

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KDF SUMMER: Hot off the press… the test copy of our show catalogue for next week’s Kensington Dollshouse Festival Summer Show. Full of info on the show & articles about our exhibitors. This catalogue is FREE to all ticket holders. KDF SUMMER SHOW. May 13th & 14th Kensington Town Hall. Book tickets via our website. #dollshouses #miniatures #thingstodoinlondon

2 months ago

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