Kensington Palace, Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

A mini guide to

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

Two Royal Parks, a palace and the Serpentine

Welcome to the neighborhood

Two Royal Parks, a palace and the Serpentine

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are two of London's great Royal Parks, side by side. You can row on the Serpentine, visit Kensington Palace, see the Albert Memorial and find the Diana Memorial Fountain, all in one long walk.

In winter, Hyde Park hosts the Winter Wonderland fair, and on Sundays Speakers' Corner draws crowds.

Highlights

Start here

If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.

Speakers' Corner
Attraction

Speakers' Corner

By Marble Arch, anyone can climb on a soapbox and speak. It is traditionally liveliest on Sundays.

Step-free (reported)

According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.

Harrods
Attraction

Harrods

The Knightsbridge department store with a terracotta façade, famous food halls and the Egyptian Hall.

Step-free (reported)

According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.

Royal Albert Hall
Attraction

Royal Albert Hall

The round, red-brick concert hall with a glass dome and terracotta frieze, home to the summer Proms.

Step-free (reported)

According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.

See all 14 things to do

Find your way

On the map

The map shows Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists the nearest stations and how to reach the area.

View a larger map →

Insider tips

Before you go

1

Row a boat

Boats and pedalos run on the Serpentine in warmer months.

2

Kensington Palace

Book Kensington Palace tickets online for the State Apartments.

3

Free galleries

The Serpentine Galleries are free to enter.

4

Pack a picnic

There are plenty of lawns and benches, with cafés dotted around.

Tips from the Britlens editors