Kensington Gardens
Kensington & Chelsea, London, Greater London
Leave the bustling streets of London behind as you explore Kensington Gardens, one of the city’s most famous green spaces. As you stroll among tree-lined avenues and flower-filled walks, you’ll encounter London landmarks such as the gloriously Gothic Albert Memorial and the statue of Peter Pan down by the duck pond. The park is also home to the Serpentine Gallery, which showcases work from contemporary artists and architects.
The Basics
Discover Kensington Gardens and other nearby Royal Parks on a bicycle tour, or follow a multipark trail such as the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk to explore at your own pace. Gain insight into the historic 265-acre (107-hectare) gardens and wider Kensington on a private tour of the district, or enjoy the flexibility of a self-guided tour to stroll the park as it suits you, taking advantage of hop-on hop-off services that stop nearby.
Things to Know Before You Go
Kensington Gardens is popular with families, joggers, and outdoor lovers.
Save time with a trail or tour that includes neighboring Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James Park.
Kensington Gardens has wheelchair-accessible paths, restrooms for visitors with disabilities, and a free transfer service, Liberty Drives, for visitors with mobility issues.
How to Get There
Just next to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is located in west central London. To get there by public transit, take the underground to Lancaster Gate on the Central Line or Bayswater on the District Line. Alternatively, take bus 148 from London Victoria to Victoria Gate. Hop-on hop-off services also stop near the gardens.
When to Get There
Kensington Gardens is open year-round, from early morning until dusk. Different seasons bring different vistas, from spring’s avenues of fresh blooms to winter’s festive walkways, so there’s always something to see.
The Peter Pan Connection
Look out for the park’s bronze statue of Peter Pan, located west of the river. The writer of the original tales, JM Barrie, lived in Kensington with his Saint Bernard dog and spent a lot of time walking in the park. It was here he met the Llewelyn Davies family, who would go on to serve as inspiration for Barrie’s famous stories and characters.
Ways to explore
Discover Kensington Gardens and other nearby Royal Parks on a bike tour, or explore at your own pace with an audio guide. You can also gain insight into the historic 265-acre (107-hectare) gardens and wider Kensington on a private tour of the district, or take the hop-on, hop-off bus. Thanks to the proximity of the sites, many travelers combine the gardens with a state rooms tour or quintessentially British afternoon tea experience at Kensington Palace, the lavish birthplace of Queen Victoria.
Accessibility
Wide pathways, even surfaces, and accessible restrooms make Kensington Gardens accessible.
Age limits
None—kids will love the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.
What to pack
Picnics are permitted in Kensington Gardens, so load up on snacks and bring a blanket.
What to wear
The park is huge, so comfortable shoes and a jacket in case of rain are essential.
Not allowed
Swimming in lakes, ball games, barbecues
Amenities
Public restrooms (with a 20p charge), cafés, food kiosks, gift shop
Address
Just next to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is located in west London. There are plenty of bikeshare docks near the entrance of the gardens, and hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses also stop nearby.
Driving
From central London, head west on the A4 (Piccadilly), which becomes Knightsbridge and then Cromwell Road. Turn right onto Exhibition Road. Continue north on Exhibition Road until you reach Kensington Road. Then, turn left onto Kensington Road (A315). Kensington Gardens will be on your right.
Public transportation
Take the underground to Lancaster Gate on the Central Line or Bayswater on the District Line. Alternatively, take bus 148 from London Victoria to Victoria Gate.
Best times to visit
Go just after lunch, when tour groups have left and the food kiosks have smaller lines.
Best days to visit
Due to its size, Kensington Gardens rarely feels crowded, but it’s quieter on weekdays, and more popular on weekends.
Best months to visit
In the summer, Kensington Gardens hosts outdoor activities ranging from storytelling walks to botany workshops—check the website for more details.
Special events
The Royal Parks Half Marathon takes place in mid-October, so head to the park then to cheer on runners.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!