- Walk around the magnificently curated Italian Gardens and visit the allotment that's taken care of by vigilant volunteers.
- Let your children’s imaginations run wild in the Diana Memorial Playground with a Peter Pan-themed play area.
- This beautiful park was previously the private gardens of Kensington Palace, the stately London residence of Prince William and Kate.
- Visit the Serpentine Galleries and see exhibitions of contemporary art, photography and architecture.
Dating back to the 1700s, Kensington Gardens in London has been a favourite location of the British people for centuries. Along with being the current London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the palace was famously home to the royal Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, among other members of the Royal Family. The Victorian monarchs had a passion for gardening and shaped the grounds into the stunning landscape that can be seen today. If you’re looking for things to do in Kensington, the beautiful landscape and interactive features for kids make this 265-acre park a great place to visit with the whole family.
There are so many things to do in this Kensington park that it's easily one of the best parks in London. Marvel at the stunning landscape of the Italian Gardens, throw a coin into one of the gorgeously carved marble fountains and get a taste for the royal lifestyle at the café nearby. After undergoing renovations in 2011 this area of the Kensington Gardens has been brought back to its Victorian roots, with the original stonework being restored as well as plants from the original design being put back in place. A visit here will truly let you explore history by stepping into the past.
For a break from the outdoors, check out the cultural exhibitions at the Serpentine Galleries. Originally built as a tea room in 1934, the Serpentine Gallery boasts an extensive collection of contemporary art, with well-known artists from all over the world such as Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst having exhibited their work here. There is also a lot of artwork to spot around the grounds itself including many sculptures and monuments in honour of different members of the Royal Family. The kids will especially love the large Peter Pan statue that has been in place since 1912!
Kids will love letting their imaginations run wild in the Diana Memorial Playground. A tribute to the late Princess of Wales, this active play area celebrates Diana’s love for children and innocence. With a Peter Pan theme and features like teepees, a beached pirate ship, interactive sculptures and more there are so many things here that will delight children and adults alike.
What to know before you go
- Kensington Garden opening times change monthly, with longer opening hours during the summer.
- There are public toilets available that have a 50p charge for use.
- There are many places to eat near Kensington Gardens. There are takeaway kiosks at the Albert Memorial and the Palace Gate serving food from 10am-4pm. In addition there are two cafés on the grounds. The Italian Gardens Café, opening at 7.30am on weekdays and 8.30am on weekends, and closing at 7pm, and the Broad Walk Café situated near the Diana Memorial Playground, which opens at 9am daily and closes 30mins before the park closes.
- The Orangery Restaurant, situated near the Kensington Palace, is also open for afternoon tea for those with a taste for fine dining.
- There are deck chairs available for hire if you wish to spend the day relaxing on the green.
- The Liberty Drives scheme on site provides a service that allows anyone with limited mobility to see all aspects of the gardens. This is an electric buggy with wheelchair facilities that can bring visitors on a round trip all over the park with pick up and drop-off points around the grounds.
Getting there
- The nearest Tube stations to the Kensington Gardens are Lancaster Gate, Queensway, Bayswater and High Street Kensington.
- If travelling by bus, the services that bring you near the gardens are 9, 10, 27, 28, 31, 49, 52, 70, 94, 148, 274, 360 and 390.
- In terms of parking at Kensington Gardens, there is free parking available at the London Royal Garden Hotel for disabled visitors, with a maximum time of four hours. Able-bodied visitors are requested to park at Q-Park Queensway or Euro Car Parks, Hyde Park both parks being a 10-minute walk from the Gardens.
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