Contributed by Odile Marsh
I am fortunate to live near Kensington Gardens and enjoy this wonderful garden opened to the public in 1841 (then only on Saturdays and if you were “respectably dressed”).
It was previously one of Henry VIII’s hunting grounds, and the Palace was built by in 1689 King William and Queen Mary. The landscaped gardens and Serpentine lake were added in 1728, and the Italian Gardens were commissioned by Queen Victoria, where you will find the Albert Memorial, a tribute to her husband after his death. In the early 1900s local resident J.M. Barrie was inspired to write Peter Pan while visiting the Gardens and in 1912 he paid for the bronze statue of Peter Pan near the Serpentine Lake.
The Sunken Garden, featuring the statue of Diana, Princess of Wales inaugurated in 2020 by her sons William & Harry, is a peaceful place with lovely views to enjoy a respite from busy London and my favourite place in early mornings. The Orangery is now a restaurant serving lunches & Royal Afternoon Tea.
For entry to Kensington Palace, Queen Victoria’s childhood residence, visit hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace
To get to Kensington Gardens from the Leonardo Hotel, take the Circle Line tube to Bayswater, turn right out of the
station & walk down Queensway to Kensington Gardens; you will find the Palace further in the Gardens on your right.