Kensington Palace is a feast for the eyes, and an attraction that no visitor to the nation’s capital should miss. The historical home of many of the monarchs of the British Isles, Kensington Palace is the current residence of Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, as well as newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
With so much history and beauty to see here, we’ve put together a little guide on what the last of the summer weeks in Kensington Palace have to offer for those staying at our hotels near Earls Court Tube station and beyond.
The Kings’ Playground
The gardens and surrounding land of Kensington Palace were home to many of Britain’s most well-known royals. Perhaps the most famous (or infamous as the case may be) of them all is King Henry VIII, who spent his youth riding around the ground which then included Hyde Park, leading his famous deer hunts. The separate park was created in 1689, during the reign of William and Mary, which led to the first cultivation of the gardens as they can be seen today.
The late summer sun allows visitors to wander these gardens, enjoying the shade offered by trees of the Orangery. Queen Anne curated this space with its graceful architecture to act as a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of town. After a sumptuous lunch at the Park Grand Restaurant we recommend taking a blanket and a novel or perhaps a sketchbook and enjoying the tranquillity that the late summer has to offer here.
Late Summer Flowers
The Sunken Garden, planted 110 years ago, is carpeted with flowers and offers the perfect place to explore in peace. With its ornamental pond and fountains, the Garden feels like a part of another world; it’s hard to imagine it’s just a short walk away from your room at the Park Grand Kensington Hotel.
The garden is open throughout spring and summer, but the delights from one season to the next are always new and varied, as the garden continues the tradition of rotational flower displays. While delicate flowers such as tulips and pansies bloom in the spring, the late summer months boast geraniums, cannas and begonias for a bright and vibrant array of colour.
Finding Victoria
Kensington Palace always has a large variety of attractions for visitors of all ages, from small children and large families to those exploring London on a solo trip. A convenient distance from all hotels near Earls Court Tube station, the palace itself is as much a hive of treasures as its gardens.
The most prominent exhibition on at Kensington Palace during the late summer weeks explores intimately the life of one of our most celebrated monarchs, Queen Victoria. Encouraging the public to ‘Discover the woman behind the crown’ the display takes inspiration from Victoria’s own journals, which she kept throughout most of her life. Full of tragedy and delight, the exhibition explores the young queen’s lonely childhood years spent at Kensington Palace and the happiness she felt in meeting the love of her life, Prince Albert.
