Start your day in one of London’s most iconic green spaces. Hyde Park, with its serene Serpentine Lake and historic monuments, is a peaceful spot to clear your head. Stroll past the Diana Memorial Fountain or feed the ducks near the Serpentine Bridge. If you're lucky, you might catch the winter sunlight filtering through the trees- a perfectly picturesque moment.
From Hyde Park, continue to Kensington Gardens. The Italian Gardens are a tranquil place to reflect on the year ahead. Don’t miss the stunning Albert Memorial, a tribute to Prince Albert’s legacy, and the playful Peter Pan statue nestled by the Long Water.
The Serpentine's two galleries are on either side of the Serpentine Bridge in Kensington Gardens and are free to visit. At Serpentine North, you can see Holly Herndon & Matt Dryhurst: The Call - a collaboration between the artists and Serpentine Arts Technologies taking inspiration from choral singing and exploring what new ritual we might want to nurture for the age of AI. At Serpentine South gallery, the Lauren Halsey: emajendat exhibition has transformed the gallery into a colorful immersive environment that responds to the Serpentine's location in Kensington Gardens.
Once you’ve soaked up the serenity of the parks, head down Exhibition Road, home to world-renowned cultural institutions like the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A South Kensington. Though many venues may be closed on New Year’s Day, their striking architecture makes this a walk to remember.
End your walk at one of South Kensington’s charming cafés. It’s the perfect way to reward yourself for getting outdoors and embracing the new year. Take a look at some of the great places to eat in South Ken.
Take a walk in South Kensington as a perfect start to a new year, and let this iconic London neighborhood inspire your resolutions and set the tone for a fantastic year ahead.
