London Squarea and Parks in 1900: Kensington Gardens

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Imperial London, by Arthur H. Beavan, first published in 1901, had the following to say about Kensington Gardens:

Separated from Hyde Park by a ha-ha, or sunken wall, are Kensington Gardens, formerly the private grounds belonging to Kensington Palace; a beautiful place with vistas of trees; with a noble double avenue called the Broad Walk, and several other avenues; a botanical walk of the rarer kind of shrubs, in spring one mass of colour; secluded glades and quiet nooks; a Round pond beloved of children to sail their boats upon; and the lawn and flower-bordered Serpentine (a continuation of the Long Water), with its fountain and miniature cascade at the northern end, and the picturesque Park-keeper's Lodge set in the midst of foliage on the slope of its western bank.

A few years later, Queen Anne added 30 acres, and Queen Caroline, the enlightened and large-hearted wife of George II, added a considerably larger area taken from Hyde Park.

The gardens long retained their rural character, for so late as the year 1798 foxes were found on the edge of what is now the Bayswater Road.

Queen Caroline's Gardens, as they were called, were opened to the public on Saturdays only, when all visitors were required to appear in full dress, and printed notices forbade gentlemen to smoke in the vicinity of the music platform and refreshment room.

Next: London's Squares and Parks in 1900: Battersea Park