Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: A green refuge in the heart of London

May 14, 2023

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Hyde Park is one of London’s eight Royal parks, covering an area of 350 acres, and Kensington Gardens, which lies next to and was once part of Hyde Park, covers an area of 265 acres. Both serve as a green refuge in the hustle and bustle of central London and are often in a tourist’s bucket list of places to visit. The nearest London Underground stations are Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are great places to get in some activity; running, jogging or getting some steps in, it’s an ideal place for exercise and fresh air. Cycle lanes are in operation and there are many organised sporting and exercise activities taking place from bootcamp workouts to roller skating classes. You’ll often see people horse riding, playing football and smashing tennis balls in the various courts available to book. You can even hire a paddle boat and from time-to-time, participate in temporary workshops such as circus acrobatics classes.

Clear blue skies in Hyde Park, London — Clear blue skies in Hyde Park

Paddle boating on The Serpentine River, Hyde Park, London — Paddle boating on The Serpentine River

Cycle tour in Hyde Park, London — A cycle tour in Hyde Park

Tennis courts in Hyde Park, London — Tennis courts in Hyde Park

People playing tennis in Hyde Park, London — Tennis in Hyde Park

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are also ideal places to take dogs for a walk and there’s a diverse range of wildlife to see such as swans, squirrels and butterflies. A lot of the wildlife includes beetles and insects, which go unnoticed by many visitors, but form an integral part of the parks’ ecosystems.

A sign depicting the wildlife found in Kensington Gardens, London — A ‘wealth of wildlife’ in Kensington Gardens

Swans in Hyde Park, London — Swans in The Serpentine

Wildlife in Hyde Park, London — Wildlife around The Serpentine River

A duck in Hyde Park, London — Quack quack!

A bird in Hyde Park, London — A bird taking in some sun on a sunny day in Hyde Park

A duck sleeping in Hyde Park, London — Taking a nap next to The Serpentine

A ladybug in Hyde Park, London — A ladybug in Hyde Park

A ladybug in Hyde Park — A ladybug; an important part of Hyde Park’s ecosystem

Ducks swimming in The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London — Swimming together…

A duck walking next to The Serpentine, Hyde Park — Walking alongside The Serpentine

A swan in The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London — Radiant in the sun

Wildlife in The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London — Wildlife in The Serpentine

Although Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens can be a hive of activity, they’re also great places to unwind and relax. The Italian Gardens, along with being aesthetically pleasing, has the added benefit of soothing fountain water sounds to help one switch off for a while.

Italian Gardens, Kensington Gardens, London — A fountain in the Italian Gardens

Water fountain, Italian Gardens, Kensington Gardens, London — A fountain on The Serpentine

Bench tribute, Italian Gardens, Kensington Gardens, London — A bench tribute at the Italian Gardens. Never tired of London.

Tiffany & Co. Foundation bench tribute, Italian Gardens, Kensington Gardens, London — “For design, conservation and beauty” – The Tiffany & Co. Foundation

Throughout the parks are monuments of varying sizes, some subtle and others on a grander scale, conveying a story, message or interpretation.

The Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens

A view of The Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, London — The Albert Memorial in the distance

Royal Albert Hall, London — A view of the Royal Albert Hall from Kensington Gardens

The Arch by Henry Moore, Kensington Gardens — The Arch by Henry Moore, with a view of Kensington Palace in the distance

If you’re in need of refreshments, there are numerous outlets to get food and drink such as The Italian Gardens Cafe, The Serpentine Lido Cafe and Serpentine North.

Serpentine North, Kensington Gardens, London — Serpentine North

Serpentine North, Kensington Gardens — Serpentine North – A gallery and restaurant

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens have a diverse collection of flora. No filter required when taking photos of the colourful array of trees, plants, flowers and bushes.

Cherry blossom in Hyde Park, London — Cherry blossom

Kensington Gardens, London — Exquisite gardening at Kensington Gardens

Bright leaves at Hyde Park, London — Thriving in the sun

Cherry blossom, Hyde Park, London — More cherry blossom…

The Allotment in Kensington Gardens — Learn how to grow your own fruit and vegetables in an urban environment

And while the sun is appreciated by many, both parks can be enjoyed in colder weather.

Hyde Park during the winter — Hyde Park during winter

The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London — The Serpentine on a cold day

Round Pond, Kensington Gardens, London — Round Pond, Kensington Gardens during a cold winter’s day

Wildlife on The Serpentine, Hyde Park — Wildlife at The Serpentine

Wildlife at The Serpentine, Hyde Park — Lots of activity on The Serpentine

The day doesn’t have to be bright and sunny to make the most of the parks. They have their charm both in the early mornings and evenings too.

Frozen lake at The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London — The sun breaking through the clouds onto a frozen Serpentine River

Hyde Park at sunrise. Winter Wonderland in the distance. — Hyde Park at sunrise, Winter Wonderland in the distance

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens offer some of the most stunning views in London, some of which are dotted with other London landmarks in the background.