London Parks Walk

Saturday 3 January 2026 – this walk has become an annual outing at this time of the year and despite the rather ‘brrrr’ temperature (only 3 degrees were forecast) fifteen of us braved the cold. On the positive side, we had wall-to-wall blue sky and bright sunshine all the way. From Lambeth North we made our way to the Archbishop’s Park, then past the Garden Museum, across Lambeth Bridge through Victoria Garden and from there via the back streets and Westminster Abbey Deans Yard into St. James’s Park where the lake displayed thin layers of ice. No surprise then to see the pelicans out on dry ground preening themselves in the sunshine.

Onwards to Green Park where iced-over puddles were still evident, going past the Canadian War Memorial we made our way to Hyde Park, hosting the seasonal Winter Wonderland Fair which we by-passed by walking through the Rose gardens. By the Serpentine people were feeding pigeons and water fowl despite notices instructing not to do so. When we had arrived at the Kensington Garden fountains, the end of the morning section of this walk, we noticed that one of our walkers was missing from the group – perhaps got side-tracked watching all the activities. Luckily, he found us later in the Mitre pub where some of us had stopped for lunch.

After lunch, with several walkers having decided to drop out and do their own thing, seven of us continued through the Kensington and Palace gardens. On reaching Kensington Church Street one more walker opted to catch a bus from there, which left six of us to complete the walk to Holland Park. We spotted only one peacock, who did not oblige us with fanning his tail feathers into a splendid display.

After walking through the Kyoto Garden, we exited the park close to Holland Park station where we enjoyed some refreshments in a nearby café.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2026 and don’t forget…keep walking; and with thanks to Mary-Jane for additional picture