London’s Royal Parks

Exit from Westminster underground station using Exit 4 to emerge opposite ‘Big Ben’ clocktower. Turn R towards Parliament Square and very soon cross L and follow pavement beside Houses of Parliament. Approaching Victoria Tower at far end of building, fork slightly R across College Green, passing Jewel Tower and Henry Moore sculpture.

Turn R along Great College Street. When road bends L, turn R through gateway into Dean’s Yard (if locked walk round by road). Follow pavement straight and L around edge and turn R through archway to emerge near west façade of Westminster Abbey. Cross and keep straight along Storey’s Gate and L into Birdcage Walk. Take first path R into St James’s Park and head towards lake.

Turn L beside lake with water on R. Cross footbridge and continue with water now on L. At end of park, follow path R up slope. Cross The Mall and continue on curving gravel path with wall on R and view of Buckingham Palace L. Level with palace, turn R into Green Park.

Keep straight, keeping Canada monument on R. Turn L along next avenue to reach corner of park near Commonwealth memorial gates. Cross road and walk through Wellington Arch in middle of huge roundabout. Head R and cross roads. Go through gates into Hyde Park.

Cross drive and sandy track. Follow tarmac path L through rose garden, passing fountain with Boy and Dolphin sculpture. Keep straight through gardens and parkland beyond. Turn L beside fence of garden with waterfall. Follow fence R and R again to reach shore of Serpentine Lake.

Turn L with water on R. Continue past Lido and Diana memorial fountain. Keep on under five-arched bridge into Kensington Gardens. Continue beside reedbeds and water, past view of Henry Moore’s Arch across lake and Peter Pan sculpture on L. Reaching ornamental Italian Gardens, turn sharp L across park to reach Round Pond. Skirt R around pond and turn R along Broad walk with Kensington palace on L.

Shortly before gates out of park, turn L and then R, past neat cubes of hedge, to exit opposite Orme Square. Cross Bayswater Road, turn L and very soon R along St Petersburgh Place. At crossroads by domed Greek orthodox church, turn R along Moscow Road. Turn R again on Queensway past Bayswater Arms to find tube.