See all the TALKING STATUES in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

LondonLondon SightseeingWhat to see in LondonTalking StatuesHyde Park

2 May

Written By WalkMeBlog

You can easily spend all day wandering around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

However, today I would like to invite you to follow a very particular trail.

A trail focused on 4 Talking Statues.

Let's see then where you can find these talking monuments and what they've got to say!

Distance to cover: 1.9 miles (3 km)

Map of this walk: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens Talking Statues Walk

Additional comments: To fully enjoy the benefits of this walk (the talks of the statues!) make sure that you have on you the phone (with the data available on it) and the headphones.

Quick preview of the content of this post

So how does it work?

Which sculptures are talking?

Talking Statues in Hyde Park:

Talking Statues in Kensington Gardens:

Links to audio clips of the Talking Statues in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

So how does it work?

Peter Pan Talking Statue information board (2022). Photography: Zuzanna/WalkMeBlog.

If you read my other posts about Talking Statues in London (see the links at the end of this post), you will already know the drill.

However, if you have never heard of them, let me explain a few things.

To hear from the monuments, you will need to use your phone.

With the use of the Talking Statues app (or by swiping your phone over the sticker placed near the statues), you will be able to receive a phone call from the sculptures.

Yep, that's right, they will call you*

*The connection uses your phone data (standard data usage rates apply).

You can read more about that in THE TALKING STATUES IN LONDON - WHAT ARE THEY? AND WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM?

Which sculptures are talking?

ISIS Talking Statue in Hyde Park, Serenity Talking Statue

There are currently 2 Talking Statues for you to see in Hyde Park and 2 more in Kensington Gardens.

During this walk, you can receive a phone call from the Greek hero, the English Queen, the boy who would not grow up, and the bird (and an Egyptian goddess at the same time!).

Feeling excited?

Let’s go to see them, then.

“Who are you? Mortal or god...?” The Talking Statue of Achilles

The Talking Statue of Achilles in Hyde Park, London (2022). Photography: Zuzanna/WalkMeBlog.

(link to the location)

One of my favorite things about Hyde Park is that it was the first place on the Earth to be ever recorded on a moving film*.

*The area near Apsley gate is pictured on the first known projected moving image taken and developed by William Friese-Greene, in 1888

And you will start this walk near the spot where it happened, at the Apsley Gate.

Apsley Gate is located only steps away from Hyde Park Corner Tube Station.

It is also very near the first Talking Statue you are going to see during this walk, the statue of Achilles.

A very interesting fact about this monument (apart from that it talks!) is that it was the very first nude statue in London.

But…

…the history of its nudity is long and complicated.

It turned out that in 1822 (the year the statue was erected) it was far too early for nudity to be simply displayed on the streets of London like that.

And a fig leaf needed to be applied immediately to calm down those not happy with the display.

There were, however, various attempts to remove it. At least two. In 1870 and 1961.

Today during the over-the-phone chat, the statue (sadly) skips this part of its history.

Achilles (animated by Dominic West) talks instead about how diesel and coffee fill his nostrils.

And about his strolls around London at night.

2. “Welcome Humans...” -The Talking Statue of ISIS (Serenity)

(link to the location)

The ISIS (Serenity) Talking Statue in Hyde Park (2022). Photography: Zuzanna/WalkMeBlog.

The next goal during this walk is to reach the statue of the Egyptian goddess of nature, ISIS.

To get there, I recommend you to walk through the Hyde Park Rose Garden and to follow the Serpentine lake.

You will find the ISIS (also called Serenity) statue near Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and the Serpentine Bridge.

The eye-catching and wonderfully shaped monument is overlooking the beautiful landscape of Hyde Park.

This very green Talking Statue (animated by Joely Richardson) will encourage you to dream, explore, and appreciate the nature around you.

3. “Can you fly…?” -The Talking Statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens

(link to the location)

Now is time to move towards the next Talking Statue.

Simply follow the lake, and go under the bridge until you see a very decorative statue of a boy who would never grow up, Peter Pan.

The depiction of this very famous (fictional) resident of Kensington Gardens is busy playing his pipe to animals and fairies. However, he will find the time for a chat.

During the phone conversation, Peter Pan will tell you about his greatest adventures, and he will offer you great advice on how to fly as well.

He will also ask you to go with him to Neverland.

Would you go?

**4. The Talking Statue of (young) Queen Victoria in Kensington Gardens**

(link to the location)

Talking Statue of young Queen Victoria near Kensington Palace — *Talking Statue* of young Queen Victoria near Kensington Palace (2022). Photography: Zuzanna/WalkMeBlog.

The last Talking Statue you will see visit during this walk is the depiction of young Queen Victoria near Kensington Palace.

Go through Kensington Gardens until you reach the Round Pond.

The white statue of the monarch is patiently waiting for you on the tall plinth surrounded by water.

The statue celebrates the Queen's Golden Jubilee (in 1887), and it was designed by her daughter Louise.

Queen was born and raised here, in Kensington Palace (you can see it behind the statue).

But first of all, this is here where she met (at the age of 17) her beloved husband, Albert.

In 3 min chat, the monarch will tell you (among other things) about her first memory as a child and which window of the Palace was hers.

And about her great love for Albert. He tragically died at the age of 42, leaving her mourning for the rest of her life.

The Albert Memorial in Hyde Park, London (2022). Photography: Zuzanna/WalkMeBlog.

His monument (commissioned by the Queen after his death) is located only steps away from the Queen's Talking Statue. But the monument does not speak (not as yet!).

The over-the-phone monologue by the Queen has been wonderfully animated by Patricia Hodge.

**Links to audio clips of the Talking Statues in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens**

Below you can find links to audio clips for all Talking Statues you can see during this walk.

I recommend you use these links only if the app is not recognizing your location (for instance, due to lack of reception) or if the stickers are missing or covered.

Have fun and enjoy the Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens walk!