The land surrounding Kensington Gardens was predominantly rural and remained largely undeveloped until the Great Exhibition in 1851.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground (erected on the site of the existing Peter Pan children's playground) is inspired by Peter Pan. Kensington Gardens were opened to the public in 1841. At the foot of the Italian Gardens is a parish boundary marker, delineating the boundary between Paddington and St George Hanover Square parishes, on the exact centre of the Westbourne river.

At its north-western end (originally the inflow of the River Westbourne), in an area known as 'The Italian Garden', there are four fountains and a number of classical sculptures. The part of the Serpentine that lies within Kensington Gardens is known as 'The Long Water'. īridgeman created the Serpentine between 17 by damming the eastern outflow of the River Westbourne from Hyde Park. It was separated from the remainder of Hyde Park in 1728 at the request of Queen Caroline. Beginning under Queen Anne, it was designed by Henry Wise and Charles Bridgeman in order to form a landscape garden, with fashionable features including the Round Pond, formal avenues and a sunken Dutch garden. Kensington Gardens was originally the western section of Hyde Park, which had been created by Henry VIII in 1536 to use as a hunting ground.

However, in the late 19th century, Hyde Park was considered more 'fashionable', because of its location nearer to Park Lane and Knightsbridge. Kensington Gardens has been long regarded as 'smart' because of its more private character around Kensington Palace. Kensington Gardens are open only during the hours of daylight, whereas Hyde Park is open from 5 am until midnight all year round. The Gardens are fenced and more formal than Hyde Park. Kensington Gardens are generally regarded as being the western extent of the neighbouring Hyde Park from which they were originally taken, with West Carriage Drive (The Ring) and the Serpentine Bridge forming the boundary between them.

Peter in kensington gardens