Diana Memorial Playground
Pirate-ship playground in Kensington Gardens, for children up to 12 and their grown-ups.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
Photo: Mark Ahsmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
- Type
- Park
- Area
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Opening hours
- Daily from 10:00; closes 16:45 in late October, 15:45 from November to January
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 60 min
What to expect
The Diana Memorial Playground is in the north-west corner of Kensington Gardens, near Kensington Palace. It opened in 2000, replacing an older Peter Pan playground from J. M. Barrie's time, and was designed by Land Use Consultants with the story of Peter Pan in mind. The Royal Parks rebuilt it in a major refurbishment, so the layout you see today is newer than the one in older guides.
Its centrepiece is a large wooden pirate ship set in sand, around which are slides, swings, a water play area, a treehouse and quiet spots for the youngest children. There is also space and equipment for children with disabilities, including fragrant plants and sounds for those with visual impairments. Children tend to stay for an hour or two.
Don't miss
- The wooden pirate ship
- Sand and water play areas
- Treehouse and slides
- Sensory gardens for children with disabilities
- Peter Pan-themed play areas
Tips for your visit
- Arrive early in summer, because it is a popular stop for families.
- It is a good break between Kensington Palace and a walk through Kensington Gardens.
- Bring a snack and a change of clothes for water play.
- Check The Royal Parks' website before you go for opening times and access rules.
Getting there from Trafalgar Square
🚇 15 min by Tube (line District / Circle: Westminster → South Kensington) · 5.1 km · 64 min walk
Where to eat nearby
- The Churchill Arms (Asian · £ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 9 min walk
- Maggie Jones's (British · £££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 12 min walk
- Alounak (World · £ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 12 min walk
- Dishoom Kensington (Indian · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 14 min walk
Breakfast nearby
- Farm Girl, Notting Hill (Café · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 15 min walk
Other sights nearby
- Kensington Palace · Landmark · 🚶 0.6 km · 8 min walk
- Melt Chocolates (Notting Hill) · Shopping · 🚶 1.2 km · 15 min walk
- Design Museum · Museum · 🚶 1.7 km · 21 min walk
Add Diana Memorial Playground to your plan → Build a day around it with walking times and restaurants.