Spring walking route through Kensington Gardens
Take a seasonal stroll through the distinctive gardens, landmarks and historic spaces of Kensington Gardens.
Spring brings a fresh energy to Kensington Gardens, with busy birdlife and new growth shaping the landscape. This self-guided route leads you through ornamental water features, historic landmarks and quieter green corners. Use the map below to find each stop as you go, along with practical details on gates, toilets and cafés.
Route information
While the full route is shown on the map below, the key points are also listed here for your convenience. You can begin at whichever stop is closest to where you enter Kensington Gardens, and you can take the circuit in either direction at your own pace.
-
Italian Gardens Café: a convenient spot beside the ornamental water gardens
-
Italian Gardens (Two Bears Fountain): Victorian water features framed by formal planting and lakeside views
-
Peter Pan Statue: J.M. Barrie’s famous sculpture set among mature trees and playful wildlife
-
View to the Henry Moore Arch: a striking perspective across the Long Water towards this modernist landmark
-
Queen Caroline’s Temple: an elegant 18th century garden pavilion offering a quiet moment of shelter
-
Albert Memorial: a richly detailed monument celebrating Prince Albert, overlooking the southern edge of the gardens
-
South Flower Walk: a colourful pathway lined with seasonal planting and vibrant spring displays
-
Queen Victoria’s Statue: a commanding sculpture with a clear sightline towards Kensington Palace
-
Elfin Oak (near the Diana Memorial Playground): a whimsical carved oak stump filled with tiny figures and folklore charm
-
North Flower Walk: a peaceful route bordered by spring bulbs, shrubs and ornamental trees
-
Queen Caroline’s Alcove: a historic curved shelter offering views across the Broad Walk.
| Distance | Duration | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| 2.6 miles | 50 mins at a relaxed pace | A mostly flat route with some shallow slopes in the south and east of the park |
This map only shows information relevant to the spring walking route. You can find the full Kensington Gardens map here.
Some of the sights along the way
-
Italian Gardens Café -
The ornamental Italian Gardens date back to the 1860s -
Two Bears fountain -
Peter Pan statue -
The Arch sculpture by Henry Moore -
Queen Caroline's Temple -
Gold statue of Prince Albert -
The tree-lined avenue of South Flower Walk -
Statue of Queen Victoria in front of Kensington Palace -
Carved characters on The Elfin Oak -
North Flower Walk -
Queen Anne's Alcove
-
Italian Gardens Café Kensington Gardens -
The ornamental Italian Gardens date back to the 1860s -
Two Bears fountain Kensington Gardens -
Peter Pan statue Kensington Gardens -
The Arch sculpture by Henry Moore Kensington Gardens -
Queen Caroline's Temple Kensington Gardens -
Gold statue of Prince Albert Kensington Gardens -
The tree-lined avenue of South Flower Walk Kensington Gardens -
Statue of Queen Victoria in front of Kensington Palace Kensington Gardens -
Carved characters on The Elfin Oak Kensington Gardens -
North Flower Walk Kensington Gardens -
Queen Anne's Alcove Kensington Gardens
Seasonal highlights
-
Spring Blooms in the Royal Parks
As the days grow longer and the air fills with birdsong, the first blooms of spring begin to emerge in the Royal Parks.
-
Top things to do in the Royal Parks this spring
It’s time to turn down your thermostat – spring in London is here and there’s plenty to do and enjoy in the Royal Parks.
-
Spring walkthrough: Kensington Gardens
Take a quick tour through Kensington Gardens in spring with this mapped walking route, showing some of the park's highlights including the Italian Gardens.
