London with Baby – Hyde Park & Kensington Afternoon

Our London journey continued into the afternoon with a slower, more peaceful rhythm. After the museum-packed morning, we craved some open space — and where better than Hyde Park? With its calm paths, royal palaces, curious ducks, and unexpected art, this day turned into a beautiful blend of play and pause.

Sweetie loved every moment — from chasing pigeons to offering breadcrumbs to birds, to quietly resting under giant trees. Hyde Park really is London’s breathing space.

Main Journey
Events
Tips for Traveling with a Baby
Local Travel Tips
Travel Reflections

Main Journey

We headed toward Kensington Palace, knowing that Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are connected. The walk through the park gave us the kind of family breathing room we’d been craving after crowded museums and city streets.

Kensington Palace was as regal as expected, with its grand gates and elegant façade. It once housed Princess Diana, and today displays exhibits on royal life — including historical wardrobes of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana.

Unfortunately, we arrived just after 5 PM — the cut-off time for last entry. We missed going inside by a few minutes, so we admired the exterior, took photos, and accepted it as part of our world travel rhythm: not everything goes as planned.

Instead, we let Sweetie run wild through Hyde Park.

We followed the paths through wide open lawns, quiet tree-lined trails, and a beautiful artificial pond. That’s where we woke Sweetie from her nap — we knew she’d love it. The moment she opened her eyes and saw birds flapping and waddling, she lit up.

She sprinted full speed toward a group of ducks, arms wide like she wanted to hug them. The ducks, understandably, panicked and scrambled away. It was hilarious.

A kind woman nearby was feeding birds with a loaf of sliced bread. Seeing Sweetie’s excitement, she handed us a piece. Sweetie took it very seriously — breaking it into bits and gently tossing it to her new “friends.” Her proud little face said it all.

Walking further through the park, Sweetie burned off even more energy chasing squirrels. Somehow, she always spotted them before we did.

Eventually, her little legs gave up. We carried her the rest of the way to the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion — a destination I had secretly been excited about.

Each year, a different architect designs a temporary structure in front of the Serpentine Gallery. In 2017, it was Francis Kéré, an architect from Burkina Faso.

His wooden pavilion stood like a circle of woven trees — inspired by traditional African gathering spaces. It felt alive, organic, and warm. We sat there for a while, resting and reflecting.

As we turned back toward the exit, I spotted something striking — a patch of vibrant flowers in full bloom.

It turned out to be the Italian Gardens Café, a place that serves both coffee and beautifully arranged garden plants. The colors, the calm, the smell of espresso — it was a little slice of joy.

Later, we stopped by Boots to restock Sweetie’s multivitamins. They had a buy-2-get-1-free deal, so we grabbed some essentials before heading home.

We even squeezed in a quick stop at a clothing shop to prep for our upcoming Iceland leg — but then, Sweetie squatted unexpectedly.

Yep. Middle of the store. Number two.

One of those parenting moments you can only laugh about later.

Changing diapers in Europe can be tricky — many places don’t have changing tables, and public toilets are often paid or just… not great. Still, we managed. Somehow, we always do.

We ended the day walking through Tottenham Court Road Station’s long tunnel to the Central Line. There was a busker playing deep inside the tunnel — the kind of music that stays in your head long after the train leaves.

A long, full, beautiful day in London.

Events

Kensington Palace (Exterior Only)

Missed entry by 5 minutes
Admired the architecture and royal history
Reflected on how much there is to see in London — and how hard it is to see it all with a baby’s schedule

Duck & Bird Feeding at Hyde Park

Sweetie ran after ducks
A kind woman shared bread
Sweetie fed the birds with joy and purpose

Squirrel Spotting

Sweetie kept spotting squirrels before we did
She chased them gleefully through the trees

Serpentine Pavilion by Francis Kéré

Wooden structure inspired by African village spaces
Calming, artistic, perfect for a short family rest

Italian Gardens Café Discovery

Found a garden café with colorful flowers
Sweetie rested while we enjoyed the view

The Diaper Incident

Emergency potty moment in a clothing store
No facilities, but we handled it
One more memory added to the baby travel saga

Live Music in the Tube

Walked the tunnel at Tottenham Court Road Station
A lone musician played soulful music in the tunnel
A moment of unexpected calm

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Check Closing Times in Advance
Most palaces and museums stop entry at 5 PM — plan accordingly if you want to go inside.
Parks Are Perfect for Babies
Hyde Park is a haven for toddlers. Wide, car-free spaces and animals to spot — ideal for letting your little one burn off energy.
Carry Baby Essentials Always
From emergency diaper changes to snack time, London days are long — always be prepared.
Let Locals Help You
That woman with the bread? She made our day. Londoners are often warm and kind, especially to babies.
Mind Toilets & Changing Facilities
Public restrooms are rare or paid. Have a plan. Some pharmacies like Boots have better setups.

Local Travel Tips

Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park Connect Seamlessly
You can walk from Kensington Palace to the Serpentine Gallery without leaving the park.
Free Public Parks, Endless Experiences
London’s parks are well-designed and full of surprises — art, animals, cafés, and space to breathe.
Serpentine Pavilion Changes Yearly
If you’re visiting in summer, don’t miss the architectural installation. It’s always free and always worth it.
Use Boots for Baby Supplies
Boots is everywhere in London and sells diapers, formula, baby snacks, and vitamins.
Watch Out for Hidden Garden Cafés
The Italian Gardens Café was a surprise favorite — flower beds, good coffee, and shade make it perfect for parents.

Travel Reflections

1. Park Days Are Just as Valuable
We didn’t go inside the palace, but this day felt rich. Not because of where we went — but how we spent it.

2. Sweetie Made New Friends
Birds, squirrels, and strangers — our daughter somehow connects with all of them.

3. Slow Moments Are Golden
Sitting in the Serpentine Pavilion, watching Sweetie nap under the trees, we felt the rhythm of our world journey slow down — and settle into something beautiful.