Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens features magnificent formal flowerbeds and avenues of beautiful trees and several features that will appeal to all ages

A Peaceful Formal Pond Garden near the Palace in Kensington Gardens
A Peaceful Formal Pond Garden near the Palace in Kensington Gardens cc licensed photo by Alex Lecea

Kensington Gardens is contiguous with Hyde Park and covers 275 acres resulting in a total area of 625 acres of beautiful parkland in the heart of the city.

These beautiful gardens were at one time the private gardens of Kensington Palace. Bordering 'Long Water' that divides them from Hyde Park, the gardens have a number of neat features in addition to the tree lined avenues and flower beds.

For kids there is the Diana Playground, a Peter Pan themed playground with a pirate ship and beach that was made in 2000 in memory of the Princess of Wales. Kids and adults will enjoy the Round Pond with it's variety of birds and where model ships have been sailed since Victorian times.

Created in 1861 the Italian Gardens are an ornamental water garden decorated with fountains, statues and ponds. Also built in 1861 is the Albert Memorial, a gold plated statue of Prince Albert encompassed by large sculptures and a canopy of stone.

Kensington Palace stands at the west end of the gardens. It was Queen Victoria's birthplace and has served as a royal palace since 1689. The State Rooms can be visited by the public subject to an admission charge (see below).

To satisfy your appetite the Boardwalk Cafe is open year round and has an outdoor seating area and also offers a children's menu. The gardens also have a couple of refreshment points serving coffee, sandwiches and other light fare.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: No

Kensington Gardens Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 6:00 AM – 9:45 PM
  • Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 9:45 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 9:45 PM
  • Thursday: 6:00 AM – 9:45 PM
  • Friday: 6:00 AM – 9:45 PM
  • Saturday: 6:00 AM – 9:45 PM
  • Sunday: 6:00 AM – 9:45 PM

Address: London, UK

Phone: 0300 061 2000

Official Website: Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

4 Star Rating I went for a walk and ended up spending more time than I expected just wandering around. There are wide paths, big trees, and lovely green lawns where you can sit and relax. It’s perfect if you want some fresh air, a slow stroll, or even a quiet spot to read a book or have a snack. There are also some cool things to see while you walk like the Peter Pan statue, the Albert Memorial, and Kensington Palace. I didn’t plan anything in advance, but just came across them as I explored, which was a nice surprise. There’s also a little pond with birds and ducks that adds to the peaceful vibe.
Louie Parsons - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Located at upper left corner of The Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is the most worth visiting place in The Hyde Park. Features the ocean blue pond where is the home of beautify swan, the Diana Memorial and the Prince Altert statue. Super dog friendly which can run freely and meet a lot of friends. Worth visit even in the winter time when most of the places are pretty miserable, Kensington Gardens is the must go. We entered via the entrance opposite to Hilton and exits via the Royal Albert Hall direction. It’s about a 1-2 hours very nice walk.
Lydia Chong - 4 months ago

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5 Star Rating beautiful park, even nice to walk through at night, a lot of people at all times so i’d say it’s super safe and has a lot of interesting wildlife too; very nice for a walk and has good places around it, close to stations and food places, easy to get to anywhere.
alex - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating huge park with loads of little areas to visit, get a bike if u can. palace was a bit of a bummer cause the whole facade was under renovation, saw Queen Victoria’s statue, proceeded to miss Diana’s then ran around the pond to visit her memorial (which is small!) it’s just a really great place to wind down after traipsing around the city like mad rats the whole day. loads of birds here, including ducks, swans and geese for the occasional bird watcher.
Ariel Jewel - 5 months ago

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5 Star Rating Kensington Gardens is one of London’s most elegant green sanctuaries—an expansive, refined landscape that feels both tranquil and effortlessly connected to the pulse of the city. Set right at the heart of London, the gardens offer exceptional accessibility, linking seamlessly to neighboring cultural and commercial districts. Whether you are moving between major museums, shopping areas, or residential quarters, Kensington Gardens functions as a calm yet central passage between key parts of the city. The park is beautifully balanced between nature and comfort. Scattered café facilities allow visitors to pause, sit, and enjoy the surroundings without disrupting the sense of openness and calm. Wide lawns, mature trees, and long walking paths create a sense of space that feels rare for such a central location. For those seeking a gentle leisure experience, nearby boating options provide a simple yet memorable way to enjoy the water—quiet, unhurried, and ideal for slowing down in the middle of a busy urban day. Seasonally, the area becomes even more distinctive. During winter, the nearby Winter Wonderland transforms the surroundings into one of London’s most festive destinations, adding energy, light, and celebration while still allowing Kensington Gardens itself to retain its composed and graceful character. In essence, Kensington Gardens offers a rare combination: natural beauty, understated leisure, seasonal vibrancy, and exceptional connectivity—making it not just a park, but a central lifestyle space within London.
Jason Kim - 3 months ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Central LineQueensway and Lancaster Gate1 Minute
District and Circle LinesBayswater5 Minutes

How to get to Kensington Gardens by Tube

From Lancaster Gate exit to your right and when you get to the crosswalk cross over to the park gate. Follow the path that goes in a southwesterly direction from the Italian Gardens.

From Queensway Station exit to your right walk west on Bayswater Road to the crosswalk adjacent to the park gate. Cross over and follow the Broadwalk path straight south into the park.

From Bayswater Station on the Central line exit to your right and walk south along B411 to Bayswater Road proceed as above.

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