Kensington Gardens is an extension of Hyde Park and covers an area of 275 acres. Kensington Gardens is planted with formal avenues of magnificent trees and ornamental flower beds. It is a perfect setting for Kensington Palace, peaceful Italian Gardens, the Albert Memorial, Peter Pan statue and the Serpentine Gallery. Cycling is allowed on the designated path linking the Queen's Gate to West Carriage Drive, Mount Gate to the Broadwalk and the broadwalk itself from Black Lion Gate to Palace Gate. The main attraction of the garden is the Boating Pond where locals try out their model boats.
There are statues of John Hanning Speke, the explorer who discovered the Nile; Edward Jenner, who developed a vaccine for smallpox; and even Peter Pan. ( The statue was erected in secret during the night and 'magically' appeared on 1st May 1912.) Most recently, in 2000, a children's playground opened in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Bird records for Kensington Gardens are more than a hundred years. 178 species have so far been identified. Green Woodpeckers nest in the Gardens - a rare occurrence in Central London.
Opening hours: The park is open from 6am to dusk all year round.
About the Park
William III bought what was originally part of Hyde Park in 1689. An asthma sufferer, the king found the location quiet and cool. He commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to redesign the redbrick building that is Kensington Palace. Queen Anne enlarged the Palace Gardens by 'transferring' 30 acres from Hyde Park and was responsible for the creation of the Orangery in 1704. The focus of the new garden was Kensington Palace and the Round Pond. Each avenue gave a different view of the palace.
Nearest tube: High St. Kensington - Circle and District Lines
Lancaster Gate & Queensway - Central Line
Bayswater - District Line
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