History of Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens was separated from Hyde Park in the early 18th century and became part of the landscaped grounds surrounding Kensington Palace. During the reign of Queen Anne, extensive landscaping was carried out to create a formal, well-structured park connected to the palace.
The park continued to develop in several phases. During the Georgian period, emphasis was placed on symmetry and open views, while the Victorian era introduced more decorative garden elements. The most notable example is the Italian Gardens, created in the mid-19th century.
Kensington Palace and exhibitions
Kensington Palace is the historic centrepiece of the park. Its present appearance reflects early Baroque and Georgian architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries, with contributions from architects such as Sir Christopher Wren and William Kent. A statue of Queen Victoria, dating from 1893, stands in front of the palace.
Visitors to Kensington Palace can explore the permanent exhibition Victoria: A Royal Childhood, which presents Queen Victoria’s childhood rooms and early life at the palace. The palace also hosts changing temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
The Sunken Garden and the Princess Diana Memorial Statue
The Sunken Garden is one of the best-known gardens in Kensington Gardens. It was created in 1908 following Edwardian sunken-garden principles. The design features clean lines and seasonal planting schemes that are renewed annually.
At the centre of the garden stands the Princess Diana Memorial Statue, designed by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley and unveiled in 2021. The sculpture depicts Diana with three children and reflects her work with young people and charities. The garden was redesigned as part of the memorial project.
Sights and landmarks in Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens contains several notable landmarks and monuments. Kensington Palace faces the Round Pond, with museum spaces that explore royal history and rotating themes.
The Italian Gardens represent Victorian garden design, featuring fountains and ornamental pools. From here, views open across Long Water, which continues into Hyde Park.
Albert Memorial
The Albert Memorial stands in the south-east corner of the park, opposite the Royal Albert Hall. Queen Victoria commissioned the monument in memory of her husband, Prince Albert. Designed by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, construction began in 1864 and was completed in 1872. The gilded statue of Prince Albert was installed in 1875.
The memorial is surrounded by sculptural groups representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America, as well as agriculture, industry, commerce and engineering. Its architecture is a prime example of Victorian Neo-Gothic style.
The Arch
Located near the centre of Kensington Gardens, The Arch by sculptor Henry Moore is a significant work of modern art. Installed in the park in 1980, the sculpture consists of large stone forms arranged in a curved structure. It was initially shown as part of an outdoor exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery before becoming a permanent feature.
Serpentine Galleries
Serpentine Galleries is a contemporary art institution within Kensington Gardens. It consists of two galleries, Serpentine South and Serpentine North, located on opposite sides of the Serpentine lake. The galleries present rotating exhibitions focused on contemporary art, architecture and design. Each summer, the site also hosts a temporary architectural pavilion.
Peter Pan statue and audio guides
The Peter Pan statue stands near Long Water in the north-eastern part of the park. Designed by Sir George Frampton, the statue was unveiled in 1912 and depicts Peter Pan playing a flute.
Mobile audio guides are available at the site. VoiceMap offers a GPS-guided audio tour that activates automatically near the statue, while the MyWoWo app provides shorter audio recordings about the statue and other landmarks in the park.
The Orangery – restaurant at Kensington Palace
Located next to Kensington Palace, The Orangery operates as a restaurant and tea room in a historic building. It is best known for its traditional afternoon tea and also serves breakfast and lunch, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Nature in Kensington Gardens
The landscape of Kensington Gardens comprises open lawns, clusters of trees, and well-maintained garden areas. Seasonal changes are clearly reflected in the planting and vegetation. Round Pond and Long Water form the park’s main water features. On warm summer days, the area around Round Pond is particularly popular with visitors enjoying the outdoors.
Activities in Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens is ideal for relaxed outdoor time and longer walks, with paths that connect seamlessly to Hyde Park. The Diana Memorial Playground is one of the park’s best-known family attractions. Kensington Palace hosts exhibitions and events throughout the year, and temporary art installations occasionally appear within the park.
Management of Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens is managed by The Royal Parks, the organisation responsible for maintaining London’s Royal Parks. Since 2023, each Royal Park has had its own Head Gardener overseeing planting, conservation and long-term development.
