Kensington Gardens is one of London’s Royal Parks, with tree-lined avenues, ornamental water gardens and landmarks such as Kensington Palace and the Albert Memorial. The gardens are open to the public and make a green route through this part of west London.
- Size: approximately 107 hectares (265 acres).
- From Kensington House Hotel: the gardens are about 0.3 miles from Kensington House Hotel.
- Opening pattern: Open daily
- Nearby connections: Kensington Gardens connects to Hyde Park across the park boundary.
Getting to Kensington Gardens from the hotel
The nearest mainline station listed for the gardens is London Paddington, about 500 metres north of West Carriage Drive; nearby Underground stations include Lancaster Gate, Queensway and Bayswater.
Entrances from nearby Underground stations offer different approaches. From Queensway, the Kensington Palace entrance is about a 10-minute walk via Black Lion Gate. From High Street Kensington, it is also about a 10-minute walk, with entry to the gardens via Dial Walk or Broad Walk. For a visit focused on the palace, read the guide to Kensington Palace.
What to see in the gardens
Kensington Gardens combines formal garden features, open parkland and notable monuments. Its central Round Pond is the starting point for a pattern of tree-lined avenues, while Kensington Palace stands among the park’s best-known landmarks.
The Italian Gardens, on the north side of the gardens, are an ornamental water garden arranged around four main basins. The South Flower Walk runs for 400 metres, with specimen trees and shrubs alongside seasonal planting through the year.
The North Flower Walk, the Peter Pan statue and the Albert Memorial are other features to look out for as you explore.
The gardens were originally part of Hyde Park. King William III and his wife set the land apart for Kensington Palace, and Queen Caroline shaped the gardens in the 18th century. The Albert Memorial sits near the southern edge of the gardens.
From Kensington House Hotel, Kensington Palace is about 10 minutes on foot or about 6 minutes by car, and the Albert Memorial is about 13 minutes on foot or about 7 minutes by car.
Walking routes and nearby park connections
Kensington Gardens connects directly to Hyde Park, so you can continue your walk across the boundary rather than treating the two parks as separate stops. The Royal Parks map marks both parks and features including Kensington Palace, the Long Water and the Serpentine.
The perimeter measures about 2.7 miles excluding the Long Water, or 3.3 miles including it. For a longer route, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk covers seven miles across four Royal Parks and is marked by 90 plaques. If you plan to continue into the adjoining park, read about routes and sights in Hyde Park.
Access, facilities and seasonal planning
Kensington Gardens generally opens at 06:00 and closes at dusk, with closing time varying through the year. The gardens have two main cafés, Italian Gardens Café and Broad Walk Café, as well as smaller refreshment kiosks.
Public toilets charge 20p and accept credit or debit cards, prepaid cards and mobile wallets, but not cash. Check the official site before you go for current hours, temporary closures and facility details; the operator is The Royal Parks.
Cycling is allowed only on signed routes, including Broad Walk, Mount Walk, Studio Walk and Albert Approach Road. Pedestrians have priority on these routes. Dogs are welcome except in the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, and must be on a lead around the Round Pond, Long Water, Italian Fountains and both Flower Walks.
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is free to enter. Adults are admitted only when supervising children up to age 12, and children must not enter or leave without an adult carer. Its opening hours vary by season, and last entry is 15 minutes before closing.
FAQs
How large is Kensington Gardens?
Kensington Gardens covers approximately 107 hectares (265 acres). Its perimeter is about 2.7 miles excluding the Long Water and 3.3 miles including it.
Can you walk from Kensington Gardens into Hyde Park?
Yes. The gardens connect to Hyde Park across the park boundary, allowing you to continue your walk between the two parks.
Are dogs allowed in Kensington Gardens?
Dogs are welcome, with an exception for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. They must be on a lead around the Round Pond, Long Water, Italian Fountains and the Flower Walks.
Is the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground free?
Yes. It is free, but adults may enter only while supervising children up to age 12, and children must remain with an adult carer when entering and leaving.