Italian Gardens — Attraction in London

I cannot believe the amount of single use plastics being sold within the confines of Hyde Park, sponsored by the Royal Parks itself.

By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. And over 95% of the plastic we produce and consume, does not actually get recycled, despite our best intentions. Rather, it ends up in landfills, incinerators, oceans, in our bodies as micro plastics, and of course, littered across our parks.

It feels absolutely unacceptable to me to see plastics being peddled and profited off of within this beautiful park. The cognitive dissonance required to do so is astounding.

With over 13 million visitors each year, and an annual budget of 65 million, surely Royal Parks and the concessionaires its selects can do better by this ecosystem and those coming to enjoy it. There are plenty of better options. First, functioning water fountains in the park. Second, aluminum canned water, or glass bottled water. You could also put signage up in the park that actually communicates the harms of plastic in a way that doesn’t greenwash by pointing to recycling as a get out of jail free pass.

And while I truly appreciate that you offer reusable mugs to be used for folks who are enjoying their meal to stay, this option was barely communicated. And most people dining at the cafe itself were drinking from disposable, trashy cups. Look inside the trashcan to see. Perhaps clear signage about the importance of reusables could help mitigate this. Or perhaps the barista could explicitly ask each customer if they would like to help the park by using a mug to stay.

Plastics do not belong in parks. And it is a shame to see them so normalized on behalf of the organization caring for them.

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My love to Italian gardens in Hyde Park is never ending story.

I would not recommend any other place to start the journey of understanding this magical place (Hyde Park) where once dragons 🐉 were having a rest than Italian gardens itself.

Here is A brief history of the Italian Gardens ♥️ The layout of the Italian Gardens can be traced to Osborne House on The Isle of Wight, where the royal family spent its holidays.

Prince Albert was a keen gardener and took charge of the gardens at Osborne House, where he introduced an Italian garden with large raised terraces, fountains, urns and geometric flower beds.

In 1860 he brought the idea to Kensington Gardens. The design by James Pennethorne includes many features of the Osborne garden.

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.

And here is mine short and sweet 🍬

Beautiful loans for a sunbathing time with friends, collegues or family:

Nice and cosiest coffee ☕️ shop for a breakfast 🧇 under the sunshine ☀️

Perfect location for a dogs 🐶 lovers

Child 🧒🏻 friendly

Sometimes hosting dance 💃🏻 Foro Foundation

Ice cream 🍦 van 🚐 in the corner is the must 😅 I think 💭 it is Rolls Roys

Mmmm.. Chery blossoming trees, flowers 🌸 squirrels 🐿 parakeets 🦜 calanals benches for a calm talk with honourable ladies and gentlemen...

When I got my first SLR, I was 15 & I decided to get to know my London. My dad had a book that was printed in 1939 & I used it to find historical landmarks that survived the bombings from the 2nd world war. Lots had disappeared & I assumed this one had too.

I arrived at Lancaster Gate Tube Station & the gate was opposite. Right, I had my first gate - Lancaster Gate & I had to find Marlborough Gate (Kensington Gardens), because it had a nice statue & a lake behind it. It was also the scene of the Italian Gardens.

So I set off, walking around the outside of the park, taking note of each name of the gates that I passed. I didn’t realise then, that there was a road that separated Kensington Gardens from Hyde Park. To go around all of the 2 parks took me around 4 hours. I was walking slower after 3 hrs. I then arrived at the final gate, the one before the tube station. At this point, I had given up. No more walking for me! The sign of the gate read, “Lancaster Gate”. I was confused. I walked with utter contempt for the person who had named the tube station, with the idea that Marlborough Gate was the first gate. Yes, it was.

I didn’t see anything like you can now, because there was a gigantic weeping willow between the gate & my prize. In 1987, that tree was uprooted by a hurricane - yes, I kid you not, we had a hurricane in London.

Anyway, that place became one of my favourite places to visit & when I was 21, I met the love of my life there. The happy ending for you romantics - we are still...