Description
The Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground opened on the 30th June 2000, in memory of the late Princess Diana. Located next to her Kensington Palace home, the playground is a fitting tribute for a princess who loved the innocence of childhood.
Over 1,000,000 visitors enjoy this free playground every year. Kids love to play, explore, dash about, and let their imaginations soar. The playground's centrepiece is a wooden pirate ship, and it also includes a sensory trail, teepees, a beach around the pirate ship and various play sculptures; all set against a lush backdrop of trees and plants. There's plenty of seating so the grownups can relax too.
The playground was specially designed to create an area where less able and able-bodied children can play together and seeks to provide for their physical, creative, social and educational development. Inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, being in such a magical environment encourages children to explore and follow their imaginations, learning whilst they play.
Memorials, fountains and statues
The Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens commemorates the death of Prince Albert in 1861 and is one of London’s most ornate monuments. The Peter Pan statue is a bronze sculpture of J. M. Barrie’s character, Peter Pan, that can be found to the west of the Long Water in Kensington GardensThe Arch is a six-metre high Roman travertine sculpture positioned on the north bank of the Long Water presented by the artist Henry Moore to the nation for siting in Kensington Gardens in 1980.This marble statue of Queen Victoria overlooks the Broad Walk outside Kensington Palace Gardens.
Gardens and landscapes
The Italian Gardens are a beautiful ornamental water garden on the north side of Kensington Gardens, featuring an elaborate mix of four main basins. You can wander in anytime to enjoy and relax at the allotment, as well as pick up some useful tips for growing your own fruit and vegetables.
Serpentine
Now two galleries, Serpentine responds to the unique location of Kensington Gardens by presenting an expanded programme of contemporary art and architecture that follows the seasons of the year, with exhibitions timed to take place in autumn, winter, spring and summer.The wider programme, including the Pavilion, the multi-disciplinary Marathon, the Bridge Commission Audio Walks and an ongoing outdoor commission with The Royal Parks,is augmented by a range of public events designed to give visitors of all ages the opportunity to engage with the work on show in greater depth.
The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a seven-mile-long walk, charted by 90 plaques set in the ground, that takes you within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life.You will pass through four of the eight Royal Parks on this walk: St James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Kensington Palace
Currently, the palace is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Other residents include Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Duke and Duchess of Kent and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.Areas of Kensington Palace are open to the public. Visitors can walk through the King's State Apartments, the Queen's State Apartments and the Gardens. There are also exhibitions plus a shop and The Orangery cafe.
0.22 miles
