If you’ve visited some of London’s Royal Parks, you might have noticed a small plaque on the ground. You may have even spotted more than one of them. These plaques, which feature a blooming rose, comprise a special memorial walk in London: The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk.
Altogether, there are 90 of these plaques winding their way around central London. If you follow them, you’ll be taken on a 7-mile walk that explores “famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life.”
Along the way, you’ll explore St. James’s Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. You’ll also be taken past “three palaces and two mansions which played a role in the life of the Princess”. These are Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St James’s Palace, and Spencer House.
Other sights on the tour include:
- The Italian Gardens
- Queen Anne’s Alcove
- The Four Winds Fountain
- The Broad Walk in Green Park
- The Queen Victoria Memorial
- The Albert Memorial
- St Govor’s Well
The walk is easily marked out and easy to follow, thanks to the numerous plaques. Just keep an eye out for them, and head on your way!
The Diana Memorial Playground.
The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk was officially opened on June 30, 2020, the day before the Princess’ 39th birthday. But it wasn’t the only memorial for Diana that opened that day. June 30 was also the day that the Diana Memorial Playground officially opened in Kensington Gardens. The two memorials “celebrate the Princess’s affection for the open spaces around her home in Kensington Palace, and her love of children.”
The playground drew inspiration from the beloved children’s classic, Peter Pan, with an impressive pirate ship centrepiece. The playground has been closed since last year, though, for a ‘major renewal’. Having lasted 25 years of children playing all over it, the playground is now undergoing a £3 million renovation.
The new playground will feature “more accessible and inclusive play, as well as challenging physical play, so that children of all abilities can enjoy creative and imaginative play together.” It’s expected to reopen this summer.
You can find out more about The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, and download a leaflet with a map, here.