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Out & About in South Kensington

South Kensington has plenty of great attractions for you to visit outside from boating on the Serpentine, walking tours around Albertopolis, Queen Caroline's temple, the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, ice cream in Kensington Gardens, a trip to Princess Diana's Memorial Playground and so much more....

Albert Memorial

Daily
Kensington Gardens
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Located in Kensington Gardens, it is one of London's most ornate ornaments. Unveiled in 1872, The Albert Memorial commemorates the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who died of typhoid fever at the age of 42. Public tours are available.

Boating on the Serpentine

Daily except Nov- March (Wed - Sun)
From 10am (closing times vary)
Hyde Park
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Head to the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen to hire a boat over the summer. Recognised as one of the most famous boating spots in London, Hyde Park is the perfect place to take in the scenery, enjoy an ice cream and float down the Serpentine in the middle of the park.

Kensington Garden cafes

Daily
Kensington Gardens
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The Broadwalk Cafe and Playcafe serves a great range of pizza, salads, wraps and sweet treats as well as a children's menu.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Daily
During winter/spring 6am-7:45pm
Kensington Gardens
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Explore and have a great adventure in the playground with a huge wooden pirate ship which is the centrepiece of the Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground.

Discovering Britain: Albertopolis Walk

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
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Take a self-guided tour and explore how London’s quarter for the arts and sciences was created. Discover more about it's great institutions and magnificent buildings.

Queen Carolines Temple

Daily
Kensington Gardens
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Explore Queen Caroline's Temple which is a classical style summer house overlooking the Long Water, east of Lancaster Walk, Hyde Park.

Princess Diana Memorial walk

Daily
Hyde Park
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The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk takes visitors through four of the most beautiful parks in the world, including Hyde Park and Kensington Palace.

Princess Diana Memorial fountain

Daily
Hyde Park
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A unique fountain memorial to Princess Diana designed to reflect her spirit of life and love of children.

The Italian Gardens

Daily
Kensington Gardens
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The Italian Gardens is a 150-year-old ornamental water garden located on the north side of Kensington Gardens near Lancaster Gate. It is believed to have been created as a gift from Prince Albert to his beloved Queen Victoria.

Kensington Palace Sunken Garden

Wed - Sun
10am - 6pm
Kensington Palace
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Walk in the footsteps of royalty in the beautiful gardens of Kensington Palace. The historic Sunken Garden is resplendent with white and pastel flowers to provide a picturesque setting for a new statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, unveiled to commemorate her 60th birthday.

Hyde Park Self Guided Walks

All Year Round
Hyde Park
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Discover the magic of Hyde Park and head on a self-guided walk. All of the activities are guaranteed to get you walking and discovering interesting things about the history, wildlife and horticulture around you.

Get active: Take a stroll around 'Albertopolis'

Online
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
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Explore this cultural district and discover the history of the area with this free walking tour from Go Jauntly, curated by the Royal Geographical Society as part of the programme for Kensington + Chelsea Art Week.

Get active: New cycle route and walking tour

Online
Footways
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Footways London map highlights quiet and characterful walking routes so you can explore Kensington at a different pace. The paper maps are available at some Central Network Rail stations or plan your quiet route via the new interactive map with geolocation

Hop on a Santander bike

Santander Bikes
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Why not hop on a Santander bike and explore South Kensington - take a ride through the Parks, pass Kensington Palace, around the Serpentine and arrive at the Museums.

Summer Family Activities

27 July – 1 Sept
11am - 4.30pm
Natural History Museum
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Throughout the Summer holidays discover the Natural History Museum's new gardens and enjoy a whole bunch of free family activities from pond dipping to nature-themed arts and crafts.

Westminster's Inside Out Festival

Various Dates
Various Times
City of Westminster
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Celebrate open-air arts and culture across Westminster this August with the Inside Out festival. There will be inspiring guided walks, dance and drama performances, family workshops, live music and so much more.

Yayoi Kusama: Pumpkin

9th July - 3rd Nov
All day
Serpentine
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Serpentine and The Royal Parks are hosting a new large-scale sculpture by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Since 1946 Kusama’s pumpkins have taken many forms, colours and shapes, but they are always covered in the artist’s signature polka dot pattern. Located by the Round Pond in Kensington Garden.

Gardens Tour: Journey Through Time and Nature

1st - 30th August
Dates vary
Natural History Museum
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Join a tour exploring the Museum's new gardens and innovative Urban Nature Project. Journey through the Evolution Garden and marvel at ancient rocks in the timeline wall. Gaze at the bronze dinosaurs and relax on chalk benches, where tales of London clay and a tropical city await you.

Kensington and Chelsea Art Week public Art Trail

20th June - 30th August
All Day
Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
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An unmissable highlight on London’s summer culture calendar, the Art Trail features world-class sculpture, installations, and murals throughout the borough inspired by thisyear’s curatorial theme Changing Landscapes.

Wild Life Drawing Workshop

26th July & 30th August
6.45pm – 9.30om
Natural History Museum
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From Jurassic botanicals to urban wildlife, capture the natural beauty of the Natural History Musuem gardens in this special botanical drawing workshop perfect for beginners and seasoned artists.

Image credit: Historic Royal Palaces / Alex Rory Jacobs

The Orangery Restaurant re-opens

Daily
10am - 6pm
Kensington Palace
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After major conservation work, the 18th-century Orangery at Kensington Palace has reopened its doors. Visit the iconic restaurant in a stunning setting for an elegant lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea.

Serpentine Pavilion 2024

7th June - 27th Oct
Serpentine
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Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his firm Mass Studies have been selected to design the 23rd Pavilion which opens at Serpentine South on 7 June.

Natural History Museum Gardens Opening Soon!

Daily
10am - 5.50pm
Natural History Museum
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It's official on July 18th will unveil its new gardens! Discover a haven for wildlife sights and sounds this summer season.

Judy Chicago: Revelations

23rd May - 1st Sept
10am - 6pm
Serpentine
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This exhibition is the artist’s largest solo presentation in a London institution. It focuses on drawing – a medium Chicago has explored for over six decades and traces the arc of the artist’s career, bringing together archival and never-before-seen artworks.