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Kensington Palace Gardens

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I’ve been feeling properly down in the dumps for the last couple of days. I returned to London on Friday after my week off, full of cold and dreading going back to work. I spent Saturday in the flat catching up on naff TV, feeling sorry for myself, and comfort-eating. Despite feeling under the weather, I dragged myself out of the flat yesterday and headed to Kensington Palace Gardens.

I hadn’t been before, and it wasn’t somewhere that had reached my London bucket list. Not wanting to travel far, but fancying some fresh autumn air, I jumped on the bus and headed for Kensington.

A Glimpse into Royal History

Kensington Palace Gardens is one of eight Royal Parks in London. Kensington Palace has been home to Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry & Meghan Markle. However, It’s most famous for being the birthplace of Queen Victoria. A statue of Queen Victoria stands in front of the Palace.

Hungry when I arrived, I wanted to find somewhere to eat before I explored the gardens. Kensington Palace Cafe and The Orangery were options but weren’t serving the type of food I was looking for. Kensington Palace Cafe has little choice unless you’re happy with a pre-packed sandwich or a slice of cake. The Orangery had a lovely menu, with a selection of light lunches as well as afternoon tea. However, dressed in jeans, boots and a woolly jumper, I felt a bit under-dressed for such a lovely restaurant.

A Hearty Meal to Fight the Cold

So, I headed out onto Kensington High Street in search of somewhere a bit more ‘me’. Just over the road from the Palace Gardens, I stumbled across The Goat, the oldest pub in Kensington.

They had a great range of pub food to choose from, including a good old Sunday roast. I went all out with the Roast Sirloin of Beef Roast (£13.99) and a Guinness. After all, they do say that you have to feed a cold, right? It was great value for money, service was quick, and the staff were friendly. I left the pub full and ready to walk off all that food with a stroll around the gardens.

Plate of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, gravy, roasted potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and parsnips. The photo was taken in The Goat pub, across the road from Kensington Palace Gardens.

Exploring the Beauty of Kensington Palace Gardens

With autumn only just starting to show in London, there would be no crunching through the leaves. But the trees looked beautiful, with their colours starting to change. Flowers were still in bloom, whilst others were fading, and the grasses were coming into their own.

The Sunken Garden, which was a favourite with Princess Diana, looked absolutely stunning. I could’ve stood taking photos of the garden for hours trying to get the perfect shot. These are just some of the photos I took today.

The beautiful sunken garden in Kensington Palace Garden with stone walkways, potted plants, a large reflecting pool, and a variety of flowers in bloom. A large tree and trimmed hedges form the backdrop.
The sunken garden in Kensington Palace Gardens featuring a large fountain in the center of a reflecting pool, surrounded by potted plants and neatly manicured shrubs. A historic building with a sloped roof is visible in the background.
A lush garden featuring tall, vibrant yellow flowers in the foreground and a palm tree standing on the right. The background shows a serene, symmetrical landscape with a fountain, manicured flower beds, and a classic building with a dark roof under a clear blue sky. The scene is bathed in soft sunlight, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.
A decorative wrought-iron gate opens to reveal a serene garden with a central fountain surrounded by well-kept flower beds and potted plants. The fountain sits in the middle of a reflective pool, while a formal building in the background. The garden is bathed in soft daylight under a partly cloudy sky, with lush greenery and trees framing the scene
A beautifully landscaped garden with manicured lawns and paved walkways surrounds a rectangular reflective pond adorned with potted plants. Flower beds filled with vibrant seasonal blooms, including red and pink flowers, line the pond's edges. Tall, mature trees, some with autumnal foliage, stand in the background, while a white pavilion covered in ivy is partially visible to the left. The sky is lightly clouded, casting soft sunlight over the peaceful scene.

Other highlights included The Pond which looked beautiful in the autumn light, The Flower Walk, and the Albert Memorial.

A statue of Prince Albert stands prominently in the center of Kensington Palace Gardens, surrounded by trees and pathways.
A beautiful cottage garden border in Kensington Palace Gardens showcasing a variety of plants, featuring colorful flowers and rich green foliage in a peaceful setting.
A statue of three figures seated on a camel, part of the Prince Albert Memorial, showcasing intricate craftsmanship.
A serene lake scene featuring geese and ducks gracefully swimming together in calm waters.
A striking statue of a man and elephant forming part of the Prince Albert Memorial
A vibrant garden filled with a variety of colorful flowers and lush green plants, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere.
A vibrant flower bed in Kensington Palace Gardens filled with blooming red flowers surrounded by lush green grass under a clear blue sky.
A serene scene of swans gracefully gliding across a tranquil lake in a beautiful park setting.

A Surprise at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

I have always been fascinated by the Royal Family. Perhaps, because I grew up down the road from Althorp House, the home of Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother. I was therefore quite keen to visit the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain while I was in that part of town. Technically, the fountain sits in Hyde Park and not Kensington Park, but only just! I spent ages looking for what I expected to be a beautiful fountain. The fountain isn’t actually a fountain, but a circular stream like water feature. Although not what I had expected, the concept is lovely, and it is very ‘Princess Diana’. You can read more about the fountain here.

Despite feeling rough, it was lovely to get out and see another part of London I hadn’t explored before. I loved wandering around the gardens, and would like to go back in the Spring. Maybe I’ll wear something smarter next time and check out The Orangery and visit the Palace too.

I would love to know where your favourite green spaces in London are. Let me know in the comments below.

A tranquil park path meandering through trees, with fallen leaves creating a beautiful natural carpet.
A tranquil park during fall, filled with trees displaying warm autumn colors and a soft expanse of green grass beneath.

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