You probably know the Italian Gardens in Kensington Gardens but do you know about this building on the north end of the gardens?
It is the Pump House and I had assumed (“never assume” a client reprimanded me) it is an Italianate pavilion.
“Look out for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s initials on one of the walls of the Pump House, at the north of the gardens. This building once contained a steam engine which operated the fountains – the pillar on the roof is a cleverly-disguised chimney. A stoker kept the engine running on Saturday nights to pump water into the Round Pond, so on Sundays there was enough water pressure to run the fountains.” (royalparks.co.uk)
Had I known I would have looked for the royal graffiti but it’s an excuse for another ramble round the park. There’s only one structure by Christopher Wren in Kensington Gardens. You will recognise it but, like me, may have been unaware of the architect.
Now let’s stroll across the road to Hyde Park and look at the sward in the north-east corner.
You think you have seen it before but most likely you haven’t. Here is another view, taken in October 2021.
It is the site of the annual Winter Wonderland fair: “the world’s best destination for festive fun – in the heart of London”. Hmm, probably better than Santa’s grotto at Harrods. I have never been to either attraction.
WW is a big earner for the Royal Parks but every year fresh turf, brought from Leicestershire, has to be laid and watered. Just as it it is settling in it’s time for the next WW; a perverse annual cycle.
