London International Exhibition.—Not far beyond Prince’s Gate, Hyde Park, is the London International Exhibition of 1873, which opened on the 1st May, and will continue open till the 30th September of this year. The ground plan and the view of the building which we give will save unnecessary expenditure of our space, which is obviously limited.
Kensington Gardens.—At the western extremity of Hyde Park lie Kensington Gardens, a large piece of ground laid out in the ornamental park style, interspersed with walks, and ornamented with rows and clumps of noble trees. Besides entrances from Hyde Park, there are others from the Knightsbridge and Bayswater Roads. Near the west end of the grounds stands Kensington Palace. The gardens have been more than once considerably extended, so that they now measure about two and a-half miles in circumference. There are some beautiful gates on the south side, which were contributed by the Coalbrook Dale Company to the Great Exhibition of 1851. These grounds form a most delightful public promenade during fine weather; especially on summer evenings, when one of the Guards’ bands frequently plays near the south-east corner.
Regent’s Park.—This beautiful park is situated considerably away from the other parks, in a northerly direction from the Marylebone Road. It consists of a nearly circular enclosure of about 470 acres, laid out on the approved principles of landscape gardening; its centre is enriched with lakes, plantations, shrubberies, and beds of flowers. Many of the Metropolitan Volunteer Rifle Corps exercise and drill in this park, in all except the winter months. The park is surrounded by extensive ranges of buildings, forming terraces, variously designated, and decorated with sculpture in agreement with their respective orders of architecture: producing an effect of much grandeur, though, in some instances, of questionable taste. Three or four isolated mansions occupy sites within the park. The outer drive is two miles in circuit; the inner drive is a perfect circle, with two outlets. At Mr. Bishop’s Observatory, near this inner circle, Mr. Hind made most of his important discoveries of asteroids and comets. Near the south-eastern corner of the park the Colosseum stands conspicuous. It is now closed. The Zoological and Botanical Gardens will be described presently. Some distance north of the Colosseum are St. Katharine’s Hospital and Chapel—a very luxurious provision for ‘six poor bachelors and six poor spinsters.’ Near the Colosseum was the once celebrated exhibition called the Diorama, which was some years ago converted into a Baptist chapel, at the cost of Sir Morton Peto.
Primrose Hill.—This spot now deserves to be ranked among the public parks of London. It is immediately north of the Regent’s Park. The Crown owned part of it, and obtained the rest by purchase from Eton College. The hill-top, the grassy slopes, and the gravelled paths are kept in excellent order; and a stranger should not lose an opportunity of viewing the ‘world of London’ from this spot in early morning. By permission of the authorities, a refreshment-room has been established for visitors; and a ‘Shakspeare Oak’ planted, April 23, 1864, which, however, “came to grief.”
Victoria Park.—This, the only park in the east or poorer division of London, consists of about 270 acres. Having been formed only a few years, the trees have not yet grown to a full size; but it is gradually becoming a pleasant spot, with flower-beds, lakes, walks, and shady avenues. This park is especially distinguished by possessing the most magnificent Public Fountain yet constructed in the metropolis; it was provided by the munificence of Miss Burdett Coutts, at a cost of £5,000; the design, due to Mr. Darbyshire, is that of a Gothic structure, crowned by a cupola 60 feet high. Being near the densely populated districts of Bethnal Green and Mile End, the park is a great boon to the inhabitants. It lies between those districts and Hackney, and easy access to it can be obtained from two stations on the North London Railway—those of Hackney and Hackney Wick, or Victoria Park. The fountain just mentioned is near the Hackney entrance. Improved access is also opened from Whitechapel, from Mile End, and from Bow.
Battersea Park.—This park, of about 180 acres, on which £300,000 has been spent, lies between Vauxhall and Battersea, and is the only public park which comes down to the Thames. Nothing can exceed the change exhibited on this spot. Until recently it was a miserable swamp, called Battersea Fields; now it is a fine park, interesting to look at, and healthful to walk in. A beautiful suspension bridge, from the designs of Mr. Page, connects this park with Chelsea, on the other side of the river; and near it is another bridge for railway traffic.
Kennington Park.—A few years ago there was an open common at Kennington, dirty and neglected, and mostly held in favour by such classes as those which held the Chartist meeting in 1848. It is now a prettily laid-out public park—small, but well kept.