Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens is one of London's eight Royal Parks, covering about 107 hectares (roughly 275 acres) in the west of the city, right next to Hyde Park. It was once part of the private gardens of Kensington Palace and is now largely open to everyone. It is a place for a slow walk, a picnic on the grass and a look at some of London's best-known landmarks in a green setting.

Where is Kensington Gardens?

The gardens sit immediately west of Hyde Park. Most of the area belongs to the City of Westminster, while a small strip in the western part falls within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Together with Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park, it forms an almost continuous "green lung" in the heart of the capital.

Is Kensington Gardens a historic site?

Yes. The gardens are Grade I listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, the highest level of protection. The land passed from royal hunting grounds to palace gardens, and over the centuries queens and princes reshaped it with ponds, avenues and ornamental plantings.

What to see in Kensington Gardens

• Albert Memorial – a grand monument commissioned by Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert. It stands more than 50 metres tall and is one of the city's most recognisable Victorian landmarks.
• Kensington Palace – the royal residence that gave the park its name and whose grounds it originally formed.
• The Round Pond – a circular pond where locals stroll and watch the waterfowl.
• Peter Pan statue – a bronze by Sir George Frampton beside the Long Water, installed in May 1912 and tied to J.M. Barrie's story.
• Italian Gardens – ornamental gardens with fountains, added in the 1860s under the influence of Prince Albert.
• Serpentine Gallery – a contemporary art gallery open since 1970, showing exhibitions in a parkland setting.
• The Serpentine – the long lake, whose design is credited to Queen Caroline.

How to plan a visit

The gardens are best explored on foot. Start near the palace, follow the Long Water to the Peter Pan statue, then head towards the Albert Memorial and the Serpentine. A relaxed circuit takes two to three hours, or half a day with a picnic or a coffee stop. Several London Underground stations are nearby, and entry to the gardens is free.

Why visit?

Kensington Gardens combines royal history, art, literature and relaxation in one place. Families link it with Peter Pan, architecture fans come for the Victorian monument, and anyone tired of city noise can find a quiet corner in the middle of the metropolis. The park changes with the seasons: spring flowerbeds, summer picnics on the lawns, and golden avenues in autumn.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kensington Gardens the same as Hyde Park? No. The two parks adjoin and form one green stretch, but they are separate Royal Parks. Kensington Gardens lies to the west of Hyde Park.

How big is Kensington Gardens? About 107 hectares, or roughly 275 acres.

Where is the Peter Pan statue? Beside the Long Water in the western part of the park. It was installed in 1912.

Is entry to the park free? Yes, the park is open to the public and walking in it needs no ticket. Only certain attractions, such as the palace interiors, may charge.