Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens is a formal park covering 275-acres of land made up of formal avenues of trees and ornamental gardens.

The land that the gardens reside on was once part of the much larger near-by Hyde Park, however, in 1689 William III bought up the land as he felt the quiet location and clean air would be beneficial to his asthma. After Christopher Wren transformed Nottingham House into what we now know as Kensington Palace, William III transferred land from Hyde Park. The palace quickly became popular with subsequent royals, wife of George II Queen Caroline created the gardens that Londoners know and love by transferring more land from Hyde Park to the gardens and creating the Serpentine and the Long Water from the Westbourne stream. Kensington Palace was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and she in turn improved the gardens by adding the Italian Gardens and Albert Memorial.

The most significant recent development at Kensington Gardens was the creation of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain Playground. The playground is hugely popular receiving thousands of visitors every year. It is located next to Kensington Palace where the late Princess lived and features teepees, a sensory trail, beach and various play sculptures.

Other popular monuments in the gardens include statues of Peter Pan and Queen Victoria, you can discover these gems of the gardens during regular organised walks. Although there are cycle paths running through the gardens sports are discouraged due to the historic importance of the landscape and to maintain the serenity of the greenspace.

The gardens are open from 6am until dusk every day all year round. Find out more about Kensington Gardens.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are at Lancaster Gate, Queensway, Bayswater and High Street Kensington.

If travelling by bus the 9, 10, 27, 28, 31, 49, 52, 70, 94, 148, 274, 360 and 390 all serve the area.