Kensington Palace

As one of central London’s royal residences, Kensington Palace has been a home and refuge to the royal family since the 17th century. Now, it is the official residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Built in 1605, it has roots in Jacobean architecture and was first known as Nottingham House. William III and Mary II were crowned jointly in 1689, and were instrumental in transforming Nottingham House into Kensington Palaces.

When Queen Mary died from smallpox in 1694, William was overcome with grief. Despite this he finished the building with a grand gallery at the south of the Palace, enlarging Sir Christopher Wren’s original plan. Now it is one of London’s most exquisite palaces and comes with acres of manicured gardens and the world-famous Orangery.

Kensington Palace history

Home to the British Royal Family since the 17th century, Kensington Palace was once an unassuming villa known as Nottingham House. The Stuart and Georgian monarchs who lived there, however, transformed Nottingham House into the Kensington Palace visitors can enjoy today. The newly-crowned monarchs William III and Mary II (1689-1702) first sought out Kensington as a much-needed retreat from the smoke and damp of the city; their first home was Whitehall Palace, in the heart of London. In 1689, the King and Queen commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to draw up the plans for transforming Nottingham House into Kensington Palace. Queen Mary project managed the renewal of the building herself. 

While the Palace was in progress, the royals spurred on an era of magnificent balls, showcasing their new ornate rooms, opulent staircases and impressive halls. Once or twice a week, the King and Queen also held Drawing Rooms, which became the focal point of court life. In all their finery, the King and Queen would meet and mingle with ambassadors and foreign princes. However, when Queen Mary died from smallpox in 1694, William ceased these decadent evenings in favour of more sedate concerts and gatherings. Despite his grief, William finished the building with a grand gallery at the south of the Palace, enlarging Sir Christopher Wren’s original plan.
 

The Swan Lake at Kensington Garden

A popular London attraction is the Swan Lake at Kensington Gardens. It's like a scene straight out of a fairy tale. You'll find elegant swans gracefully cruising on the water, while ducks waddle around near the banks. If you're lucky, you might even catch a swan stretching its wings in the sunlight which make for quite the photo opportunity. A lot of visitors simply sit on a bench and watch the world go by. Very peaceful.

The Peter Pan Statue

If you've ever been a fan of Peter Pan, you can't miss the statue dedicated to him in Kensington Garden. It can be found near the Long Water, this bronze statue is a fun surprise among the trees and pathways. Kids and adults alike love it. Some people even hang little trinkets or notes on it, making it feel like a community treasure chest of sorts.