The square
Duke of York Square is a shopping and dining square just off the King's Road, a minute from Sloane Square station. Around 33 shops sit around the open space, mixing international names with British brands: Zara's store here is one of its largest in Europe, alongside jewellery from Monica Vinader, Aesop, Sunspel and a number of independents. Restaurant terraces spill onto the square itself, which makes it one of the more comfortable places in Chelsea to sit outside.
History
The site was built in 1801 as the Royal Military Asylum, a school for the orphaned children of soldiers, and later became the Duke of York's army barracks. Cadogan acquired it in 1998 and reopened it as a public square, keeping the original buildings and arranging new retail around them. The Saatchi Gallery occupies the old headquarters building at the far end and is free to enter.
The Saturday food market
A fine food market runs every Saturday from 10am to 4pm, with around 40 independent traders selling produce, cheese, bread and hot food to eat on the track beside the square. It is the busiest day to come, and the better one if you are visiting for the atmosphere rather than the shops.
