Exploring Kensington Palace Gardens: A Londoner’s Guide

by | Dec 22, 2024 | London, Naked Feature

Kensington Palace Gardens is one of those spots in London that always feels like a breath of fresh air. Tucked away from the city buzz, it’s the perfect mix of regal charm and natural beauty. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a treat! This is a walking tour around my favourite garden in London. I’ve lived in Kensington for over five years so I feel like an expert now! You can walk around the gardens in about an hour but I’d give yourself two or three to take your time.

This article was originally published in 2017, updated in 2024 with new tips and insights!

Kensington Palace Gardens Walking Tour

About Kensington Palace Gardens

When I first moved to London, I couldn’t quite work out where Kensington Palace Gardens ended and Hyde Park started. Google informs me they are separated by water which starting at the Italian Gardens through The Long Water and opening up into The Serpentine which snakes around into a beautiful lake where you can go sailing in a little pedal boat.

Kensington Palace is home to the Royal family, famously home to Princess Diana for 15 years where the black gates became a shrine after her death 20 years ago and was somewhat recreated each year with balloons and flowers marking the anniversary.

In Summer, there are open air cinema evenings where you sit outside the front of the palace. If you visit in Summer, please also take a look at the Wild Flower Garden which is at the front of the palace,

Kensington_Palace

Kensington Palace

Diana Gate - Kensington Palace Gardens

Gate to Kensington Palace Gardens

Start Your Walking Tour at Kensington Palace

The palace is the best place to start exploring which is easy to find if you come in from the South via High Street Kensington tube or north via Notting Hill Gate (it’s halfway between them). Kensington Palace Take a tour inside Kensington Palace and see one of the many special exhibitions. If it’s a beautiful day, there’s plenty to do that’s free so start with a stroll around the grounds.

Kensington Palace Gardens

View from The Sunken Garden

Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace Gardens

The Sunken Garden which is just raised up at the side of the palace (you can reach this via a mini maze) and the gardeners must work all hours to keep it in tip top shape!

Sunken garden at Kensington Palace Gardens

Sunken garden at Kensington Palace Gardens

It changes every year, for example in 2017 they created a White Garden in memory of the Princess of Wales who it is said admired the changing floral displays throughout the year.

The garden has a leafy archway which is in bloom from summer. It gets busy here so take your time going around and enjoy it. Afterwards you can have lunch or a coffee at the Palace coffee shop or something a little fancier at The Orangery.

Sunken Garden Kensington Palace Gardens

Sunken Garden Kensington Palace Gardens

Princess Diana Statue

Unfortunately you can’t go IN this The Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. I’ve only ever seen gardeners in here. Although you will remember Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement with a shoot in this garden.

Speaking of royalty, in recent years a lovely statue of Princess Diana was unveiled by Prince William and Prince Harry. I love this statue but it is annoyingly far away from where you can see her properly and I wished they had put her in the middle of the garden instead of on the edge. You can take the best pictures of the Princess Diana statue from the opposite end, or use the flowers to create a frame for your photo.

Best Places to Take Photos at the Sunken Garden in Kensington

This is a really glorious garden so there are plenty of beautiful benches and walls to perch on to look cute! My favourite angle is this natural circular photo frame overlooking the Round Pond which you can shoot straight on. I also love shooting a little video – standing still you can film people walking and cycling across. It is best in Spring and Summer when bursts of colour arrive in the garden.

most_instagrammable_places_london_kensington_palace_sunken_garden

Sunken Gardens Kensington Palace

kensington_palace_sunken_garden

The Sunken Garden

Next Stop Queen Victoria & Prince Albert

Flower Walk in Kensington Palace Gardens

After that you can stroll past the Queen Victoria statue and take a right down towards the bottom of the park to pick up the Flower Walk (no feeding squirrels here lols). This little path is a tranquil corner with benches so you can sit and read a book as you head towards Prince Albert memorial. I really love this angel from the Flower Walk for a gorgeous photo! I took this on my phone with a GorillaPod attached to the railings!

Albert Memorial Kensington Palace Garden

Flower Walk and Albert Memorial Kensington Palace Garden

Kensington Palace Gardens

Flower Walk at Kensington Palace Gardens

Albert Memorial & The Royal Albert Hall in Kensington Palace Gardens

The Albert Memorial is kind of the omnipresent Godfather of Kensington Palace Gardens, you feel like he is always watching you from his throne. It is an extravagant memorial (I mean, who wants a small one right?) and he towers high up above the park, glinting with gold with intricate paintings and carvings making this a work of art.

There’s not tooooo much information to hand, so if there is a tour, it might be worth it….for example it is only Wikipedia that informs me this is 54m tall (yikes), took ten years to complete, cost £120k and it has allegorical sculptures around the base.

Albert Memorial

Albert Memorial

The Royal Albert Hall is just across the road so worth popping over to see. It is a beautiful and unique building. Go to the other side of the building to take photos of this one! Look for the Great Exhibition Memorial.

taylor_swift_london_red_era_royal_albert_hall

Red vibes at Royal Albert Hall

It’s worth noting that Diana’s official memorial – the ill fated slide thingy is close by (just across the road) if you want to pop over and take a look but officially sits in Hyde Park. Taylor Swift once went to see it, so may be worth it, but honestly, there’s better things to see!

Blossom in Kensington Palace Gardens

If you’re visiting in Spring, I want you to know about a beautiful pink blossom covered walkway just next to the East Albert Lawn. There’s a collection of cherry blossom trees here which bloom around April each year (it varies depending on the weather). It can get busy but much quieter than other Royal Parks. Whether it is blooming or not, take this walkway to our next stop.

cherry_blossom_albert_memorial_flowers_kensington_palace_garden

Cherry Blossom in Kensington Palace Gardens

Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Palace Gardens

After that you’ll pick up the edge of the river and Hyde Park and then you’ll spot the Serpentine Gallery. I popped in (for free) to see the Grayson Perry exhibition so it’s highly recommended and small enough to be a quick look round rather than a half day adventure. Grab a snack at the cool bar there.

Serpentine Gallery Kensington Palace Gardens

Serpentine Gallery Kensington Palace Gardens

The Bridge – West Carriage Drive

From there stay on this side of the river but cross the bridge where if you stand at a certain point for can SEE all the way to Westminster Abbey. You’ll see the main Serpentine Gallery on the corner here (if you’re thirsty for more art) or if not, head into the next entrance on the left.

Bridge Kensington Palace Gardens

Henry Moore Statue & Italian Gardens

Walk along the river until you see the Henry Moore statue because if you look you can see all the way to Kensington Palace. Carry on to my second favourite places, the Italian Gardens which is usually very busy but tranquil and they’ve recently added an extra cafe there too so you can spend an hour by the fountains overlooking the Serpentine. The Italian Gardens famously featured in the Bridget Jones film where Hugh Grant and Colin Firth had a scuffle.

Henry Moore Kensington Palace Gardens

Peter Pan Statue and Parakeets at Kensington Palace Gardens

From here, walk along the other side of the river and you’ll come across the Peter Pan statue which is so magical with Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys all in a spiral. Carry on walking and if you’re lucky, you might spot the Parakeets which hang out here and tourists encourage with snacks!

Peter Pan Statue kensington palace

Peter Pan Statue

Parakeets Kensington Palace Gardens

Round the Pond and Back Again

Horse Statue & Pretty Walkways

From here you can head right via tree filled paths and the magnificent statue of the Hot Guy on his Horse (not actual name – it is called Physical Energy Statue). Lancaster Walk was featured in the Finding Neverland film with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet.

Round Pond

The Round Pond is a little pond in the middle of the grounds with ducks and swans (sometimes a Black Swan!) The Round Pond will also look familiar as it is often used in TV and film too. It is very tranquil and has a lovely view of Kensington Palace.

taylor_swift_1989_london_kensington

Round Pond in Kensington Palace Gardens

Et voila! You will be back at the house. I did this walk and took snaps in about two hours (I reckon it’s around a 5k walk) but there are deckchairs and plenty of places to eat and drink so on a lovely day, take your time! Make it longer and pop to Hyde Park too.

FAQs

1. Is Kensington Gardens free to visit?
Yes, the gardens are free, but there’s a fee if you want to enter Kensington Palace itself.

2. Can I visit the Sunken Garden?
Absolutely, though you can only view it from the pathways. It’s worth the detour!

3. What are the best months to visit?
Spring and summer are especially stunning, but autumn brings its own charm with golden leaves everywhere.

4. Is the Albert Memorial near the palace?
Yes, it’s just across the road in Hyde Park – you can’t miss its golden spire.

5. Is there somewhere nearby for a quick coffee?
Definitely. Try the Palace Café or head to The Orangery for something a bit more indulgent.

Read next – Instagrammable Gardens & Flowers:

Instagrammable Flowers Collage 1

Kensington Palace also features in my Taylor Swift London Walking Tour here:

Taylor Swift Walking Tour London Kensington Palace Gardens Copy

Step 3 Taylor Swift Walking Tour London Kensington Palace Gardens

Instagram Ebook Header

How to Instagram Like a Pro – full guide

Get to know the secrets of social media with my guide to Instagram featuring tips and tricks from influencer Lorna Luxe. This is real, actionable advice from my seven intense years working in social media. Download now and get started today.

0 Comments

Newsletter

Subscribe to my newsletter

Sign up to receive monthly PR tips, interviews and modern marketing updates.

You have Successfully Subscribed!