HYDE PARK
The largest and most famous of central London’s open spaces, Hyde Park covers 142ha (350 acres) and was once the royal hunting ground of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
At its northeast corner, at the very end of Oxford Street, is Marble Arch; it was originally erected in front of Buckingham Palace but was moved as a result of palace redevelopment. Nearby is Speakers’ Corner, London’s most famous ‘soapbox’ where anyone may air their views (within reason).
Flowing through the park is the Serpentine lake, created in 1730, and just west of here is the Serpentine Gallery, featuring revolving exhibitions of contemporary art. Across the road is the sculptural Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, which was opened in 2004 by the Queen.
Map Reference 5F 
020 7298 2100 (Park Office) 
Daily 5am–midnight 
Free 
Marble Arch, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner
Serpentine Gallery
020 7402 6075; www.serpentinegallery.org Daily 10–6 during exhibitions Free Lancaster Gate, South Kensington
KENSINGTON PALACE AND GARDENS
William III was the first monarch to set up home in Kensington Palace, in 1689, and it was here in 1819 that the future Queen Victoria was born. Royal patronage continues with several members of the present royal family having palace apartments. In September 1997 it was a focus of the country’s grief as the last home of the late Princess Diana, when thousands of floral tributes were piled up in front of the palace gates. There is no memorial within the palace to Diana but a memorial playground is close by in Kensington Gardens.
The fabric of the present palace, which actually resembles a country house in both style and size, dates largely from the early 18th century. One highlight is the display of Princess Diana’s gowns, including the dark blue silk velvet worn when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985. Another is the bedroom where 18-year-old Princess Victoria woke up in 1837 to learn that her uncle had died and that she was now Queen Victoria. Surrounding the palace are fine sunken gardens and an orangery, now a restaurant.
Outside the palace gates is Kensington Gardens, which runs east into Hyde Park. This pretty lawned expanse boasts two famous statues. To the east is Peter Pan, and to the southeast, near the Royal Albert Hall, is the amazingly intricate 53m-high (174ft) Albert Memorial, which is dedicated to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s consort.
Map Reference 3F 
Kensington Gardens 0844 482 7777 Daily Mar–Oct 10–6 (last admission 5); Nov–Feb 10–5 (last admission 4). Closed 24–26 Dec Expensive 
The Orangery (£–££) High Street Kensington, Queensway 
Audio guide included in ticket price
LEIGHTON HOUSE
The distinguished Victorian artist Frederic Lord Leighton (1830–96) created this beautiful romantic house between 1864 and 1866 and lived here until his death in 1896. The centrepiece is the Arab Hall, a glorious mini-Alhambra featuring a dome from Damascus, window screens from Cairo and Leighton’s rare collection of 15th- and 16th-century Islamic tiles from Cairo, Damascus and Rhodes. The other rooms are much more restrained but contain some fine works by Lord Leighton and his famous Pre-Raphaelite associates.
Map Reference 1D 12 Holland Park Road 020 7602 3316 Wed–Mon 11–5:30. Closed 25–26 Dec, 1 Jan Moderate Several on High Street Kensington (£–££) High Street Kensington
The first professional British Army was formed in 1485 and this museum, refurbished and upgraded, covers its history in the five centuries to date. Audiovisual presentations, dioramas and lifelike soldier mannequins bring to life the lot of the ordinary soldier in a manner that concentrates more on the daily hardships than on the glory of war.
Start in the basement with the Making of Britain, which moves from Agincourt to the American War of Independence. As well as admiring the fine display of swords you can try on a civil war helmet and feel the weight of a cannon shot. The Road to Waterloo follows the story of the soldiers in Wellington’s army and includes a huge, scale model of the battlefield (at the critical moment of 7.15pm on 18 June, 1815) and the skeleton of Napoleon’s beloved war horse, Marengo. Displays on the two World Wars and the modern British Army (1965 to date) bring the story up to date.
www.national-army-museum.ac.uk
Map Reference 6A Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea 020 7730 0717; 020 7881 2455 (info line) Daily 10–5:30. Closed 24–26 Dec, 1 Jan, Good Fri, May Day Free Café (£) Sloane Square Self-guiding tours available
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
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Glass and steel has transformed this 200-year-old former military building into arguably the most exciting cutting-edge art gallery in Britain. Expect to see works by avant-garde international artists or young artists that have yet to make an impact.
Map Reference 6B Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road 020 7823 2363 Daily 10–6 Free Mess café (£) Sloane Square
SCIENCE MUSEUM
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V&A
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