Kensington Gardens

The Two Bears Fountain

Ice Cream and snacks from a vintage car!

Statue of Edward Jenner

The Old Pump Building

Queen Anne's Alcove

Victoria and Albert's initials

a little dog with a branch bigger than him!!!

Queen Victoria

Prince Albert

The Parakeets!

Henry Moore's Arch

Peter Pan Statue

Queen Caroline's Temple

'Physical Energy'

The Statue of Queen Victoria, sculpted by her daughter Princess Louise

The Statue of Diana, Princess of Wales in the Sunken Garden

The Kings Cypher in the grass outside Kensington Palace

All the times I have visited Kensington Palace, I have never seen the Italian gardens!

On my recent weekend break to London I looked in advance on the Royal Parks website and discovered this hidden gem!

Getting off at Lancaster Gate Underground station, you cross the road and there it is! and its LOVELY.

Originally designed by HRH Prince Albert for his wife HM Queen Victoria in 1860 (even more poignant as he died the following year) It is a stunning garden. 

Like Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, its Italian style is beautiful.

Sculptures, and fountains adorn the sunken garden.

One statue of Edward Jenner (who discovered the smallpox vaccine) is prominent. Originally unveiled in 1858 by Prince Albert in Trafalgar Square, it was moved there some years later.

Walking through the gardens you hear the Parakeets. 

These birds are quite tame, and despite regular signs saying do not feed them, visitors do!! But they like having their photo taken!

As you walk further down you find a temple, Queen Caroline's Temple. The wife of George II.

Heading towards the Round Lake, you see Kensington Palace. 

In the lake are many swans and geese, many chancing an encounter for food from the many tourists,. 

Its such a shame they feed them bread! Its so bad for them.

Walking around the lake you get closer to the Palace, and its Sunken Garden. A few years ago a statue was unveiled of Diana, Princess of Wales. Not in my opinion the best statue for a likeness, but for what it represents it is nice.

My favourite statue has to be the one of Queen Victoria. Sculpted by her daughter, Princess Louise. Sadly it has been vandalised in past years and looks to be missing the Sceptre she held in her right hand.

Kensington gardens are lovely, and a must see for a walk around.