Kensington Gardens

While staying at a hotel across Bayswater Road from Kensington Gardens, I had no intention of spending much time in the park..... too much to see of the city.

On a cold January day in 2006 I decided to spend a few minutes there, take a few pictures, then move on to "the sights" of London. Five hours later I emerged from the park only because I had filled my camera's memory card and couldn't take more pictures. It was cold, windy and that didn't make a bit of difference! Almost all of my best London pictures were taken that day.

A circuit north to south along the Long Pond, past the Italian Fountains, Two Bears Fountain and Peter Pan, across the Flower Walk to the Serpentine Gallery, west to the Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall, Queen's Gate, Kensington Palace and the Round Pond, then the Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Elfin Oak, and Time Flies Clock-Fountain gives a better historical perspective of London than you can get in the same distance on the sidewalks.

The park was anything but busy that day due to the weather, but many Londoners seemed to have a need to be there -children in school uniforms with their minders, men feeding swans, dog walkers, nannies and strollers - and it was my great privilege to catch glimpses of them. I remember people from that day long after I've forgotten the buildings I passed on the sidewalks (and I love London architecture!).

Go, spend some time there.

The park is extremely clean with sprawling lawns, trees and paths dotted with statues and monuments. It was significantly less busy and noisy than Hyde Park so it's perfect for a serene picnic or jog on the paths. The absolutely fun "Round Pound" is home to a variety of birds and fowl owned by the Queen. Bring a camera so you can get pictures of yourself or friends amidst a gaggle of geese and swans!