The Long Water

The Long Water is the slim, canal-like western arm of the lake in Kensington Gardens, in the City of Westminster, London. Its eastern continuation, across the park boundary in Hyde Park, is the Serpentine. A stroll beside it is among the calmest walks in central London.

What is The Long Water?

The water took shape in the late 1720s, when a chain of ponds fed by the Westbourne stream was joined into one long, straight channel. Charles Bridgeman directed the landscaping, and Queen Caroline, wife of George II, drove the redesign of the grounds, which is why the lake is so often credited to her. Kensington Gardens as a whole sits on the national Register of Parks and Gardens at Grade I.

Today the Long Water is the narrow western half of the lake, while the broader eastern half is the Serpentine. The two meet at the Serpentine Bridge, designed by George Rennie and completed in 1826. The bridge also marks where Hyde Park ends and Kensington Gardens begins.

What will you see along the shore?

At the northern tip stand the Italian Gardens, an ornamental ensemble of fountains and carved stonework built in the Victorian era and listed at Grade II. It is the most photographed spot on the walk.

On the western bank, half hidden among foliage, is the Peter Pan statue of 1912 by sculptor George Frampton. J. M. Barrie, who set part of his Peter Pan stories in these gardens, commissioned it. It reportedly appeared overnight, which added to its legend.

Swans, geese, ducks and herons use the water, and mature trees line the banks. Paths are broad and flat, so the route suits pushchairs and wheelchairs.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is Lancaster Gate station (Central line), a few minutes on foot from the northern end of the lake and the Italian Gardens. Queensway station is also close. Entry to the park is free and the gates open at dawn. Walking from the Italian Gardens to Serpentine Bridge takes roughly 15 minutes at a relaxed pace.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early summer bring the greenest scenery, and the fountains in the Italian Gardens look best in morning light. In autumn the tree crowns reflect in the water, which makes for good photos. Early mornings are quietest, while sunny weekends can be busy along the banks.

What else fits into the same outing?

From the Long Water you can continue to Serpentine Bridge and into Hyde Park, or head the other way to Kensington Palace and the Round Pond. Everything lies within the Royal Parks, so a full day can be spent in one continuous stretch of green.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Long Water the same as the Serpentine? No. They are two halves of one lake. The Long Water lies in Kensington Gardens and the Serpentine in Hyde Park, divided by Serpentine Bridge.

Is there an entry fee? No. Kensington Gardens and the lakeside walk are free.

Where is the Peter Pan statue? On the western bank of the Long Water, among the trees, near the northern part of the lake.

Which station should you start from? Lancaster Gate. It puts you right by the Italian Gardens at the northern end of the water.