Beautiful, stately and current home of Prince Harry and Megan Markle, as well as Price William and his wife Catherine, Kensington Palace is one of the most striking and historically storied buildings in London. Nestled in the beautiful Kensington Gardens, the palace has been home to royalty for hundreds of years.
If you’re interested in history, architecture and beautiful surroundings, there’s no better place to visit.
The Royal Apartments
Whilst the rooms of the royalty in residence are not open to the public – they need some privacy, after all – much of Kensington Palace is open for viewing, and it’s well worth the time. Even better, it’s less than 10-minutes from The Montcalm London Marble Arch.
During a visit, you can take in the many historical parts of the palace, all set in surroundings that have hosted the great and the good since the 17th century. The Kings State Apartments are a beautiful and luxurious grouping of rooms that underlines the living history that exists in every pore of the palace.
You can also visit the Queen’s State Apartments, which are much smaller than the king’s, and more removed from the busier areas of the palace. Queen Mary II was particularly fond on Kensington Palace and would spend much time in this part of the building. Less than ten-minutes from our Park Lane Hotel, there’s no reason not to visit the palace and immerse yourself in royal history.
Victoria Revealed
Another monarch that loved Kensington Palace was Queen Victoria and many of the pivotal moments of her life took place here.
Victoria spent much of her infancy and formative years playing and learning at Kensington Palace and, indeed, it was where she was crowned queen and left behind her title of princess. Kensington Palace is also where Victoria first met Albert, who was to become her lifelong love, even after his premature death. It’s the ideal place to visit one of the most important sites in Queen Victoria’s life, before retiring for some lunch at The Montcalm London Marble Arch.
Kensington Gardens
Equally as stunning and fit for royal consumption are the gardens surrounding the palace.
The space is littered with beautiful statues, memorials and fountains. There are statues of Albert, Queen Victoria and King William III, as well as various other hidden gems like Queen Anne’s Alcove, where the Queen would retire and reflect on her surroundings. It’s the ideal place to take a seat and absorb the history and tranquillity before heading back to your Park Lane Hotel.
Also on site are the Serpentine Galleries, featuring a roster of contemporary art and architectural designs. Princess Diana’s presence is also strong, with a structured memorial walk to follow or the Diana Memorial Playground for the young ones in your group.
Aside from all of this, the garden features a number of different landscapes and gardens with the garden to appreciate and admire. The Italian Gardens are a sight to behold, and typify the plush, royal surroundings. There’s even an allotment garden on site, growing fresh fruit and vegetables all year round that’s open to the public.
