What is it?
At the end of the seventeenth century, William III – averse to the dank air of Whitehall Palace – relocated to Kensington Palace and, consequently, a corner of Hyde Park (Kensington Gardens) was sectioned off to make grounds for the residence. Nowadays, Kensington Gardens is only delineated from Hyde Park by the line of the Serpentine and the Long Water.
Why go?
If you're after a bit of tranquillity right in the heart of London, Kensington Gardens will give you just that. The flower walks on each side are a beautiful sight to behold while the historic tree avenues make you feel you're miles away from the Capital. To the west of the Long Water lies the secluded Serpentine Gallery too, which hosts an ever-evolving programme of exhibitions featuring contemporary artists. And right in front of the palace is the Round Pond, where playwright JM Barrie met Jack Llewellyn Davies, the boy who was the inspiration for Peter Pan - a bronze statue of him was erected there in 1912.
Don't miss:
The gigantic green space also pays especial homage to Princess Diana, with a Memorial Playground that’s a favourite for children thanks to its massive wooden pirate ship and accompanying ‘beach’. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, a shallow stone ring of trickling water, is also popular for paddling.
When to visit:
The pedestrian gate is open from 6am - 6:30pm
Ticket info:
No tickets are needed for the park.
Time Out tip:
We suggest exploring some of the other nearby parks while you're there. Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James's Park together form an almost continuous 'green lung' in the heart of London. So why not make it a day of it?
Visit more of London's biggest and best parks.