Kensington Palace.

This was the first home for Prince Charles and his young bride Diana, (a 25 room apartment, including four reception rooms, a dining room, three bedrooms, and a nursery), and Diana's home after her divorce until her death in 1997. Prince William is reported to be considering moving here with his bride Kate Middleton after their wedding at Westminster Abbey.

As you walk through the formal gardens towards the entrance, reflect that it was asthmatic William III's (reigned 1689-1702), dislike of the rat infested dampness of the Palace of Whitehall by the Thames that led him to purchase Nottingham House and commission Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St. Paul's Cathedral, to enlarge and convert it into a residence fit for a Monarch. The charming red brick edifice manifestly reflects his Dutch tastes.

George I, (reigned 1714-27), had the State Rooms remodelled in the more opulent style of his era by Vanbrugh and William Kent, whose magnificent tromp d'oeil ceiling in the Cupola Room should not be missed. The King and architect Vanbrugh had grandiose ideas for a complete rebuilding of the residence but were constrained by lack of money.

You will enter at the back from Kensington Gardens, once the private Palace gardens. The Palace's informal architecture in brick has intimate warmth from this aspect, a striking contrast to the 1850 East Front of Buckingham Palace conceived in later, grandiose times of Imperial splendour.

Originally extensively laid out in formal Italianate style popular during the Stuart era, the gardens were opened to the public in 1790 when the Hanoverian Court moved to Kew. They are now a treasured public amenity, safe from the highwaymen and footpads who once roamed Hyde Park and the Gardens during the 18th century, mugging even George II on one occasion.

Diana's memory lives on at Kensington Palace and in its gardens. Visit the imposing black and gold wrought iron gates on the south side on 27 August, anniversary of her death. They are a poignant place of pilgrimage and a repository for the floral tributes from her countless admirers who pay their respects here each August on the anniversary of her death and funeral.

Pause on your way to contemplate the Palace's quietly serene Sunken Garden and lily pond laid out by Edward VII in 1907; a haunt of shimmering dragonflies on a summer's day. Turn left then to visit the Diana Memorial Playground, opened in 2000. On a sunny day this imaginative adventure playground is packed with children and you can hear the squeals of delight from youngsters in the Peter Pan-themed play area long before you reach it.

Kensington Palace sunken gardens.

If you intend to visit other Royal residences as well as Kensington Palace, consider joining Historic Royal Palaces as a member for 41, (Concessions). Your membership gains you unlimited free entrance to Kensington Palace, Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Palace and Banqueting Hall for one year.

Give yourself time to visit the gift shop after your tour of the Palace. Exit into Kensington Gardens and pause to admire the Sunken Garden before taking a light lunch or sampling from a range of 10 teas offered for English Afternoon Tea in the Orangery, (designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor in 1702 for Queen Anne who liked to take tea there).

If you have time and energy, walk north from the Orangery to the Diana Memorial Children's Playground; a part of the Nation's Memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. It is built on the original playground donated by Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie. Pause here to remember Diana and her love of children. Enjoy watching them playing in Captain Hook's pirate ship, the Wigwam village, the Tree House, and around the Mermaid Fountain.

Continue northward to Black Lion Gate, (exit for Queensway Underground Station, Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater Road). Turn right and walk 15 minutes beside the Kensington Garden flowerbeds to the Marlborough Gate, (exit for Lancaster Gate Underground Station, Royal Lancaster Hotel and Bayswater Road). Here is the beautiful Italian Garden with its marble Fountains and neo-classical temple overlooking the Long Water. Commissioned by Queen Victoria, this has been a star location for a number of films, notably Bridget Jones. From here you can see the famous Peter Pan statue on the edge of the lake. There are many who come to this fountain garden oasis of peace each day on their way to or from work to enjoy a moment of tranquillity and chill out amid the bustle of a great city.

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