Kensington Chimes

My go to shop as a music teacher and performer! Not only are the staff beyond helpful and very kind, but they’re better at recommending new books than any other music bookshop I’ve ever visited. This will continue being my go to music bookshop for the foreseeable!

Absolutely incredible store. As a student at RCM many years ago, I was always able to find exactly what I required, with great help from the staff. I am now teaching in Somerset, and am still receiving the quick fire service and with the same kind help. Can’t recommend highly enough! 👍

Excellent service from this superb shop. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff who have sourced several rare piano scores for me as well as quality stock items and post out to me in the West Country. I always call them before trying anywhere else for all my sheet music requirements, and find that actually there is no need whatsoever to try anywhere else! First class - thank you.

I sat on the bench in Hyde park at 8am marveling in all the spare time I had. I glanced at Google maps, and typed in,"buy a guitar" knowing a smile would shortly cross my face if I could have a guitar to play. Kensington chimes appeared on the que as near by and opens soon. As I entered the shop I was greeted with smiles, even that early in the morning and also only moments after opening. I explained I love playing but atlas left my guitar at home and was traveling on to Paris the following morning. He took out his tape measure to ensures I would have no issues bringing my newest smile maker on the high speed rail. He pulled down a small classical guitar as if reading my mind. He tuned it bringing it to life like a musical Dr. Frankenstein. He then sent me on my marry way with the biggest grin. I played as I walked that beautiful morning across a park that all the greats of England surely played in. Thank you for making my trip to London the best!

Lara and James - Superstars - Top class customer service. I purchased some recorders and a glockenspiel for a surprise. #YvonSECHolistic Helping little ones to learn music 🎶 🎵 theory and instruments appreciation from early years.

I bought a lovely flute here for my daughter and they were also so helpful getting me the exam syllabus book and additional sheet music. A friendly, small business: it makes you feel good not to order from Amazon!

Not helpful. I like to support independent businesses but this one doesn’t deserve it. The piano music I was trying to look at was very high up (above my head) and two staff members were there doing nothing but didn’t offer to help. Update: No point the owner replying to a bad review saying the staff are happy to help when then stood there watching me struggle! Also it wasn’t something obscure I was looking for- grade 7 piano! I’ll buy it online!

Very good service , friendly helped me pick out a set of strings for my guitar😁

Kensington Chimes has hundreds and hundreds of sheet music books, certainly the biggest selection I've come across in such a small shop. Literally, every wall is lined with bookcases where you can find everything from Schubert piano solos to opera vocal scores. In fact, it was named the 'winner of printed sheet music' in 2005/6. So if you can't find what you need here, I doubt you will be able to anywhere else. The staff are all extremely knowledgeable musicians, but it does tend to get very busy in here so you may have to wait a while before you can grab their attention. There's also a nice selection of acoustic guitars, music related stationary for all the young budding Wagner's out there, and other bits and bobs. At the moment they have score printed crackers! What every Christmas table needs, ah hem...

Yes! Finally I've found what I've been looking for- a music shop that specialises in printed and sheet music. They range from vocal to brass to percussion or jazz, blues and classical for almost any instrument. I was particularly interested in spanish guitar music and was immediately pointed to a massive stack on 2 shelves by an enthusiastic young lad. I walked out with about 4 pieces of music I was so happy. They also have a mail order system and for people in East/Central London there is a branch in Barbican as well.

My daughter has been struggling with the flute she's been learning on. I telephoned and was walked through the options, and bought a flute which arrived the very next day - brilliant service! I've also bought music online here, again delivery was really speedy. I have been in the shop before, aside from the walls full of sheet music, it's an Aladdin's cave of goodies for anyone musical!