8 things in Kensington Gardens you should see (Kensington Gardens walking tour with a map)
Distance to cover: 2 miles (3.2km)
If you click on the map below, a new window will open for live navigation in the field.
Kensington Gardens is one of the 8 Royal Parks in London and adjoins the famous Hyde Park.
Apart from being associated with the late Princess Diana (she once lived in Kensington Palace), this park is equally famous for its connection to Peter Pan.
This itinerary includes seeing the Two Bears Fountain, (talking) statue of Peter Pan, Princess Diana Statue and her Memorial Garden, (talking) statue of young Queen Victoria, and a breathtaking monument to the love of her life (Albert Memorial).
Additional comments: Kensington Gardens opening times vary during the year. The park is open from 6am to sunset (ish). Check the Royal Park website for more details. The entrance to the park is FREE of charge.
Enjoy the read and the walk!
8 THINGS TO SEE IN KENSINGTON GARDENS
Two Bears Drinking Fountain
Two Bears Fountain (the opening point of this Kensington Gardens itinerary) is located only steps away from Lancaster Gate tube station.
It is one of the cutest monuments in London (two small bears hugging each other).
Apart from a pleasant look, the fountain provides a source of drinking water for anyone visiting this part of Kensington Park (look for four small taps underneath the sculpture).
The level of cuteness of this fountain is reflected well in the number of attempts to steal it over the years (some of them were successful!).
So visit this part of Kensington Gardens and enjoy this cute piece of art (when you still can!).
2. The (talking) statue of Peter Pan
James Barrie wrote his Peter Pan novel while living at 100 Bayswater Road*, only steps away from Kensington Gardens. And the park became a source of inspiration for him.
This property is marked today with a blue plaque, link to the location.
The opening scene of his famous novel took place in the Kensington Gardens.
And this is where you can find the bronze statue of Peter Pan, beside the Long Water Lake, near Lancaster Gate Tube Station.
The monument of The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up was commissioned by the creator of this beloved character himself.
The bronze Peter Pan plays on his pipe for fairies, squirrels, rabbits, and mice and is surrounded by nature.
The over 100 years old statue has a modern touch as well. It talks!
You can read more about it here.
3. The Albert Memorial
The true love does not come often.
But Queen Victoria was lucky to experience it.
The famous monarch married* the love of her life Albert when she was 21 (she proposed to him!).
However, Albert tragically died from illness at the early age of 42.
After his passing, a devastated Queen ordered the memorial to be built in his memory.
The monument was placed at Kensington Gardens* and is called The Albert Memorial.
They met for the first time at nearby Kensington Palace.
A massive, golden statue of Albert is placed on the pedestal at the top of the high stairs.
He is surrounded by 187 (!) other figures and is looking towards Royal Albert Hall*.
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most iconic venues in London.
Albert Memorial was designed by the same architect who designed the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station and the impressive main building of the University of Glasgow, George Gilbert Scott.
This beautiful memorial is impossible to miss and well worth seeing*!
* The photo doesn't do it justice!
4. The statue of (young) Queen Victoria
Now it's time to see Queen Victoria herself.
The next goal during this walk is to reach a statue of young Queen Victoria, located outside Kensington Palace.
The marble statue depicts the 18-years-old Queen during her coronation in 1837.
The Queen sits on the white marble throne beside the Round Pond Lake.
The statue was designed by the daughter of the Queen, Princess Louise. Occasion: Golden Jubilee (50 years in power!) of her mother.
My favorite thing about this sculpture is that it talks!
If you fancy receiving a phone call from the moody Queen Victoria herself, check out my Talking Statues in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens post.
5. Kensington Palace
Behind the sculpture of Queen Victoria, you can see Kensington Palace.
This brick building served as a home for the (mainly young) royals for the last 300 years and it is perhaps the most famous for being the birthplace of Queen Victoria and the former residence of the late Princess Diana (she lived here for fifteen years!).
Ever present tributes to the late Princess Diana at Kensington Palace, London (2022). Photography: Ann/WalkMeBlog.
The majority of the Palace we can see today was designed by Christopher Wren, the acclaimed* English architect.
*St Paul's Cathedral was his most famous piece.
To see (some of) the internals of this place, you will need to purchase tickets.
Check this website for more details.
An interesting fact is that you can see the Kensington Palace in 3D from the comfort of your chair.
By simply googling 'Kensington Palace', you can see an interactive model of the externals of the Palace (scroll down until you see the 3d model).
6. Princess Diana Statue in Kensington Gardens
No 6 on this trail is the statue of Princess Diana.
It is the newest addition to the many tributes to the beloved Princess in Royal Parks.
The statue was unveiled to the public by her sons, William and Harry, on the 60th anniversary of her birthday (in 2021).
The depiction of Diana is accompanied by three kids, none of them her own.
It is a touching reference to her charitable work around the world.
The statue of the Queen of Hearts is located in Sunken Gardens, a place she often visited and loved dearly during her time at nearby Kensington Palace.
Diana is surrounded by beautiful flower displays and is unreachable for selfie hunters.
You can see the statue only from a distance. It's like she can have a rest from the cameras for once (she died in a car crash while chased by paparazzi).
The Cradle Walk surrounding Sunken Gardens in Kensington Gardens (2022). Photography: Ann/WalkMeBlog.
However, you can admire the monument from a beautiful Cradle Walk, which is still a treat.
The entrance to Cradle Walk is free.
For more details on the opening hours of Sunken Gardens, see Where to find the statue of PRINCESS DIANA in London? (and all you need to know about the Princess Diana Memorial).
7. Elfin Oak
Near Time Flies Clock Tower and not far from Queensway Tube Station, you can find the Elfin Oak, a caged oak stump.
The Elfin Oak is not just an average tree stump.
It's believed to be 900 years old, and around 100 years ago was decorated with tiny fantasy figures by children's book illustrator Ivor Innesand.
It is an interesting object to see during your walk around Kensington Gardens with similar magical vibes to the statue of Peter Pan.
Interesting fact: The Elfin Oak has been pictured inside the cover of one of 1969 Pink Floyd's albums, Ummagumma.
8. Diana Memorial Playground
The last point on this trail is Diana Memorial Playground.
It is a spectacular playground inspired by Peter Pan's story and located in the northwestern corner of Kensington Gardens.
A massive wooden pirate ship, the beach, various swings, and slides are among many attractions available there for the smallest members of the family.
This playground was open to the public by the 5-year-old (at that time) daughter of Diana's close friend, Domenica Lawson, who suffers from Down's Syndrome (Princess Diana was a devoted godmother to her).
If you have children with you on this walk, Diana Memorial Playground will be a perfect end to this Kensington Gardens walk, where you can have a well-deserved break.
This popular with locals and tourist playground is very secure and free to enter.
And we have reached the end of walking tour around Kensington Gardens.
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