Kensington Gardens

About Kensington Gardens

Park in London, England, UK

Kensington Gardens are one of the Royal Parks of London, once part of the private gardens of Kensington Palace and now largely open to the public. They cover 107 hectares (265 acres) immediately west of Hyde Park, shared between the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and together with Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park they form an almost continuous "green lung" in the heart of London; they are Grade I listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Wikivoyage calls them the western half of the twin parks and the half often forgotten, more formal and quieter than neighbouring Hyde Park. The gardens contain Kensington Palace, the royal residence where Queen Victoria was born, with its Sunken Garden; the Round Pond, where model-boat enthusiasts sail their craft; the Albert Memorial opposite the Royal Albert Hall; the famous statue of Peter Pan on the bank of the Long Water arm of the Serpentine; the Diana Memorial Playground with its pirate ship, one of the best children's playgrounds in London; the Italian Gardens with their fountains at the northern end; the Serpentine Gallery of contemporary art with its summer architectural pavilion; and the Flower Walk, amid ancient trees sheltering birds and squirrels. The gardens are a favourite for families and quiet strolls between the South Kensington museums and the shops of Kensington High Street, a short way from the Arab restaurants of Edgware Road and Bayswater.

Where:

London, United Kingdom