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December 2019 Myself and my partner were staying over the road from here at the Hilton Hyde Park so we assumed this was part of Hyde Park but we found that it is in fact Kensington Gardens. We were only staying the one night and on the morning of checkout had a little walk around. It was a bright cold day and it was lovely to take a stroll around heading to the lake and towards the palace. A nice little visit I think we only saw a small part of it but what we did see was a well kept park with some wildlife such as swans and squirrels.…
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Date of experience: December 2019
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Visitors to London are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which parks or gardens they might visit. The Capital is blessed with open spaces. For a start, there are 8 Royal Parks - lands that were originally owned by the monarchy, and which today remain part of the hereditary possessions of the crown. Five of these parks are more or less in central London: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, Green Park and Regent’s Park. There are also lots of other smaller spaces, such as the Victoria Tower Gardens by the Houses of Parliament, and squares such as Berkeley Square. I think Kensington Gardens is a much better option for visitors than Hyde Park. Hyde Park is closer to London’s West End, but Kensington Gardens is the western extension of Hyde Park and far more beautiful. Walk through Hyde Park, cross West Carriage Drive, and you have entered Kensington Gardens. It has a plethora of interesting and wonderful attractions (more than Hyde Park), as well as lots more trees and wooded areas than Hyde Park, which is largely open grassy spaces. Lots of walking will help you see them all. Everyone loves the famous statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. It’s a 1912 bronze sculpture of J. M. Barrie's character Peter Pan. It was commissioned by Barrie and made by Sir George Frampton. Barrie's stories were inspired in part by the gardens: the statue is located at the place where Peter Pan lands in Barrie's 1902 book ‘The Little White Bird’ after flying out of his nursery. By the Peter Pan sculpture there's a bird-feeding enclosure. Visit late morning, and you will see a flock of colourful parrots sitting on the fence gorging on pieces of fruit. It's a wonderful sight! Lovers of Italian architecture will appreciate the picturesque Italian Garden, awash with curious urns (see if you can spot the ram’s head and the dolphin), fountains and statues set around and amongst four pools of water. It’s serenely beautiful, and a lovely spot to sit awhile and rest the weary legs. It was Prince Albert’s design, and believed to be a gift to his beloved Queen Victoria. Lovers of royalty will have plenty to see. At the western end of Kensington Gardens is Kensington Palace, a beautiful red-brick mansion that has been the home to various members of the Royal Family since the 17th century. It's the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and various other royals. Some of the rooms are usually open to the public, but unfortunately it was closed to visitors at the time of our visit due to the pandemic. Beside Kensington Palace are the beautiful Kensington Palace Garden. This stunning sunken garden was planted in 1908, and is a tranquil ornamental garden of classical proportions. It’s terraced with paving and ornamental flower beds, surrounding an ornamental pond with fountains. It’s particularly beautiful in the spring and summer. Across the way, by Kensington Gore (and opposite the Royal Albert Hall) you’ll find the Albert Memorial, a curiously ornate structure commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her beloved husband Prince Albert. A statue of Albert is covered by a canopy-like structure that can only be described as a grand gothic extravaganza. It’s a delight, and quite breathtaking in its proportions. There’s walks galore, lots of sculptures and statues, (including a fetching statue of Queen Victoria by Kensington Palace) and the Round Pond where the kiddies can feed a myriad of ducks and ponds. It’s quite suitable for those requiring mobility assistance. It’s a beautiful spot any time of the year, and far more interesting that the adjoining Hyde Park. You can enter the park directly opposite Lancaster Gate Underground station, or Queensway; it’s a short walk from High Street Kensington Underground Station. Enjoy your visit!…
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Date of experience: August 2020
60 Helpful votes2 Reposts
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Great royal park and house dont know if its open but concessions are available far as I know cold weather might put people off if it opens after lockdown
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Date of experience: January 2020
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I walked through this area in the fall. It was nice for a stroll and not that crowded. I liked the whole area around the gardens as well.
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Date of experience: November 2019
2 Helpful votes
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What a stunning place to visit. So quiet in the middle of crazy London. The day we visited the weather was sunny and warm and we went for a walk early in the morning adding to the charm. So much to see and do.
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Date of experience: October 2019
1 Helpful vote
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