Kensington Gardens are at their most famous in spring, when the cherry trees blossom and the tulip beds are at their most colourful. But there is something to be said for the gardens in every season — the frosted branches of January, the long evenings of June, the burnished copper of the horse chestnuts in October. Here is a guide to what you'll find in this remarkable royal park throughout the year.
Spring (March–May)
Spring is the most photographed season in Kensington Gardens, and with good reason. The transformation from the bare-branched austerity of February to the exuberance of April happens quickly and spectacularly.
What to see:
- The Italian Garden (north of the Serpentine, near the Long Water): the ornamental garden's formal beds are at their most beautiful in late April and May, with tulips and wallflowers preceding the summer bedding.
- The Broadwalk: the avenue running north-south through the park is lined with horse chestnut trees that are spectacular in May, when their 'candles' of white blossom are fully open.
- Cherry trees: the cluster of ornamental cherry trees near the Speke's Monument (north-west of the Serpentine) is the park's most photogenic spring spot, typically peaking in early-to-mid April.
- The Serpentine: spring brings returning waterbirds, including great crested grebes, coots, and herons. The Serpentine begins to feel alive again after winter.
Photography tips: The Italian Garden at golden hour on a weekday morning, when you'll often have it to yourself. The cherry trees from below, using a wide-angle lens to capture the blossom canopy against the sky.
Events: The Serpentine Galleries' winter show typically closes in March, and the new summer season begins in May. The new Serpentine Pavilion is usually unveiled in June.
Summer (June–August)
Summer brings the park's greatest variety of visitors — families with children, tourists from every country, joggers, dog walkers, and office workers on lunch breaks. The days are long (sunset isn't until after 9pm in June), the lawns are crowded, and the park feels entirely different from its winter self.
What to see:
- The Diana Memorial Playground (north-west corner, near Black Lion Gate): the best children's play area in London, centred on a life-size wooden pirate ship. Arrive early on weekday mornings to avoid the longest queues.
- The Serpentine Lido: London's only outdoor swimming lake (technically in Hyde Park, on the south side of the Serpentine) opens from June to September for open-water swimming. Early morning swims before the Lido opens to the public are available from 6am.
- Peter Pan statue: cast in 1912 by sculptor Sir George Frampton, the Peter Pan statue near the west bank of the Long Water is one of the most visited spots in the park. Come on a weekday morning to see it without crowds.
- The Serpentine Pavilion: the annual temporary architectural pavilion, erected each year from June to October, is one of the most anticipated architectural events in the world. Free to visit during café hours.
- Kensington Palace and the Sunken Garden: the palace's Sunken Garden (best in July and August) is a formal garden planted with around 3,000 plants in twelve sunken beds, replanted to create a garden of perpetual summer.
Photography tips: The Long Water looking south towards the park from near the boathouse, on a morning when the mist is still on the water. The Serpentine Pavilion, which changes every year, always presents new photographic possibilities.
Autumn (September–November)
Autumn is arguably the most beautiful season in Kensington Gardens — and the least celebrated. The light in October has a quality that doesn't exist at any other time of year, and the horse chestnuts, limes, and plane trees put on a spectacular show of colour without the crowds of spring.
What to see:
- The avenue of horse chestnuts: by mid-October the trees along the Broadwalk and the main avenue between the Round Pond and the Palace have turned a deep amber-gold. The fallen leaves, the low autumn light, and the relative quiet make this one of the most atmospheric walks in London.
- The Round Pond: the large circular pond near Kensington Palace is beautiful in autumn, reflecting the trees and sky, with fewer families with model boats than in summer.
- Mushrooms: the park's woodland areas (particularly around the Queen's Temple) produce interesting fungi in September and October. Look but don't touch.
- Migratory birds: the Serpentine and Long Water receive visiting wildfowl in autumn and winter — tufted ducks, pochards, and occasionally rarer visitors.
Photography tips: The Broadwalk avenue in late October, shooting along the tree-lined avenue with the low afternoon sun creating dappled light. The Italian Garden with autumn leaves reflected in the fountains.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: the Natural History Museum's annual exhibition (in the adjacent museum) typically runs from October, providing a reason to combine a park walk with an indoor gallery visit.
Winter (December–February)
Winter in Kensington Gardens has a stark beauty that is easy to appreciate if you dress for it. On a clear January morning with frost on the ground, the park is extraordinary — and almost entirely empty.
What to see:
- The park at dawn: in December and January, sunrise isn't until around 8am, which makes it feasible to be in the park at first light without an early start. The frosted grass, bare trees, and low winter sun create an atmosphere unavailable at any other time of year.
- The Albert Memorial: the gilded spire of the Albert Memorial in the southern part of the park is at its most dramatic in winter, when the bare trees no longer obscure the views.
- Kensington Palace Ice Rink (November to January): the palace grounds host one of London's most atmospheric ice rinks during the winter months, with the illuminated palace as backdrop.
- The Serpentine: in a cold winter, parts of the Serpentine freeze, attracting birds that crowd onto the ice.
Photography tips: The park just after snow — rare but spectacular when it happens. The Albert Memorial at dusk in winter, when the floodlights catch the gold of the spire.
Practical Information
Getting there:
- Queensway (Central line) for the north entrance (Black Lion Gate), best for the Italian Garden and Diana Playground
- High Street Kensington (Circle/District) for the south-east entrance, best for Kensington Palace
- Lancaster Gate (Central line) for the north-east corner and Serpentine
- South Kensington (Circle/District/Piccadilly) for the Albert Memorial and southern section
Opening hours: Daily from 6:00am until dusk year-round.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are permitted throughout the park. Some areas are dog-free, including the Diana Memorial Playground.
Cycling: A shared cycling route runs through the park. Cycling on footpaths is not permitted.
Kensington Gardens repays regular visits. Each season brings something different, and the park's ability to feel remote from the city — even at its busiest — is one of the great gifts of London's royal park system.