Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

Nothing too exciting. Was expecting a large tall fountain but this one is a low waterfall (not higher than your knees) a lot of kids and some adults were barefoot in it. (Not sure if it’s meant for that or not). I appreciated the scenery by the lake beside it more.

Ein Gedenkbrunnen für Lady Diana — von der Queen am 6. July 2004 eingeweiht — soll an das turbulente Leben mit seinen emotionalen Höhen und Tiefen der Princess of Wales erinnern. Als ich mich diesem etwas ringförmigen Granitbrunnen im westlichen Teil des Hyde Parks gleich beim See, The Serpentine, gelegen zum ersten Mal näherte, war ich sehr enttäuscht. Womit wird hier Diana gedacht? Mit einem Schlauch? Einer Go-​Kart-​Bahn? Was zum Himmel soll das darstellen?
Noch immer kann ich mich nicht wirklich mit dem Konzept anfreunden, aber erkenne zumindest die Beweggründe, die dahinterstecken: auf einer abschüssigen Grundfläche kann das Wasser aus 100 Metern Tiefe kontinuierlich hochgepumpt werden und von der höchsten Stelle in zwei Bahnen hinab in ein tieferliegendes Sammelbecken fließen. Auf der einen Seite strömt es schneller hinab, als auf der anderen und an mehreren Stellen finden sich Öffnungen, aus denen das Wasser herausschießt, sprudelt und blubbert. Verschiedene Erhebungen verwirbeln an mehreren Stellen den Fluss des Wassers zusätzlich … die Turbulenzen in Dianas Leben versinnbildlichend … bevor alles im Sammelbecken zur Ruhe kommt …
Über drei Brücken gelangt man ins Innere, dem «Herzstück» des Brunnes, als Symbol für Dianas offene und den Menschen zugewandte Persönlichkeit, für die sie bewundert und geliebt wurde und der Britischen Monarchie ein für mich nicht ausreichend gewürdigtes Geschenk gemacht hat. Dieser Gedenkbrunnen spiegelt eine gute Absicht wieder, aber erstickt spätestens dann jeden Funken Respekt, wenn die Leute ihre Füße ins Wasser stecken, was auf Tafeln ausdrücklich erlaubt ist. Für was soll das ein Symbol sein? Dianas Volksnähe? Ich finde dies geschmacklos und Lady Diana absolut unwürdig. Nur ihr zuliebe vergebe ich 4 Sterne!!!
Wann kommt eine würdige Gedenkstätte für Diana, die nicht immer auf Affären, Leid und Schmerz abzielt? Warum werden vor dem Kensington-​Palast keine Kränze mehr abgelegt? Und warum gibt es im Souvenir-​Shop des Palastes nicht mehr einen einzigen Bildband von ihr zu kaufen? Eine Frau, die von der «Firma», wie sich das Königshaus selbst bezeichnet, ursprünglich nur als ungeliebte Ehefrau-​Marionette eingesetzt wurde, hat zumindest etwas mehr postume Wertschätzung verdient!

I was here in London in April 2004 and this area was under construction. I really wanted to get back to see the finished product and finally did. It’s lovely and peaceful. Walk all around. At the top water flows out in opposite directions. The water travels over different stone textures making a peaceful bubbling sound. It goes around the circle coming together into a wading pool. You are allowed to sit and cool your hands and feet in the water. If I’d more time I would have enjoyed sitting for a bit, perhaps read a book. A really lovely spot– serene.

Princess Diana’s memorial fountain was pretty and very serene. Nothing fancy, just modest. I guess that’s perfect for Princess Diana — keeping it simple yet there’s an elegance.
The fountain is located in the Hyde Park, just follow the signs and you’ll find it. It’s actually really close to the Serpentine
I don’t think it’s worth to purposely make your way out here to look at the memorial. But if you happened to be at the Hyde Park, you might as well visit the memorial fountain.
I think it’s a great place for a picnic area if the weather is nice.

srzly this is one of my favorite places! The fountain is so beautiful! and perfect! If I would have lived here in london I would hang around there everyday on this wonderful fountain!
although I must admit its a weird idea of a memorial but not a bad one. this fountain has personality and I am sure she would love to see the joy this fountain brings.

I just remember the huge level of disapointment that I felt seeing this boring trough of water that was supposed to represent the memory of such an iconic woman who gave so much. How much better to have had something more elegant and beautiful as Diana was-​this to me is in an insult to her memory. Im certain Diana would have preferred to have had even a wishing well for folks to throw in coins in her memory-​that could be collected towards the many charities she patronised.

Très bien pour les enfants: il y a une cascade artificielle où l’on peut mettre les pieds dedans et faire des bêtises quand il fait beau

The most amazing playground in London… With a life-​size pirate ship!

Ich mag es sehr viel. Es so so wunderschön und so groß, genau wie Diana selbst. Ich habe es in April besucht ohne die Sonne aber Bekante meinen, dass im Sommer mit Sonne sieht es komplett anders. Trotzdem fand ich es sehr schon.
Es ist riesen groß und rund und befindet ich im Hyde Park. Das Wasser läuft anders an verschiedene Stellen. Ab und zu ist es schnell und dann ist es ruhig, dann tief Ich mag wie sich das Wasser anhört. Es ist sehr beruhigend.

It seems to have finally settled out all the earlier problems, a lovely idea to walk around the circle — various parts of the fountain are supposed to represent parts of Princess Diana’s life — sometimes the water runs smoothly, sometimes it’s deep and in other places rushes turbulent over cobbles. I’m pleased that it now seems that you are encouraged to paddle, lovely place to rest in summer after a hard day being a tourist. Afternoonsies at the Lido café by the Serpentine.

A very relaxing sight on a summer’s day! =D

We regularly take our kids to London for the sole intention of going to this park!
Its fantastic! Its based on Peter Pan and has a water tap so the children can splash and a crocodile made out of stones waiting by Captain Hooks ship to get his other hand!
A teepee area with carved totem poles signifys the indians in the story. A few big sand areas including inside Captain Hooks very large ship including a crows nest and a few smaller boats dotted around.
There are lots of loghouses and a Musical area with wooden xylophones a Grid of squares which when stepped on makes various notes. And so many more play things and tree carvings etc and its all unbelievably free too.
Adults are not allowed in without a child and children are not allowed out without an adult, so from the angle of safety its very cool! I think Adults without children can visit the park half an hour before it opens to children.
There are toilets and a very pricey café which sells, teas, coffees, icecream, juice and food.
Dont forget to Donate!!! The park is run off donations.

If you are looking for water being shot into the air and falling in curves over a sculpted stone base (what most people think of as a fountain), then forget it. In fact, in terms of looks, I don’t think this fountain has much going for it. It’s basically a round trough with water flowing through it, set in a smooth and boring lawn.
For me the level it really works on is sound. The ‘trough’ is textured so the water ripples and rills and in some places rushes. Walk around and you hear ever-​changing water music. Suddenly the ‘dull’ look isn’t just dull, it’s peaceful.
I like it.

I must admit that I didn’t have great expectations of the fountain after all the bad publicity it received, and I have always had some difficulty with the slightly hysterical ‘cult’ that developed around Princess Diana.
So — it’s only right that I should say that I rather took to the fountain when I visited it. It helps to go on a warm sunny day, when everything looks at its best. The fountain and the lawn around (and inside it) are beautifully maintained, and they have well and truly ironed out all the teething troubles. So now, it’s simply a very nice, rather informal water feature, which visitors are encouraged to sit on, and dip their toes and feet into. And plenty of people (of all ages) were doing just that, and enjoying themselves.
The shape of the channel, made from smooth Cornish granite changes its profile as it goes around, with different patterns on the bed of the ‘stream’, designed to make the water form different patterns and make soft, gentle noises. It’s all very pleasant, understated, and relaxing. The lawns and gardens around set it off beautifully, and from the higher level there’s a lovely view of the Serpentine.

I’m always bumping into things around Hyde Park that I’ve heard of but never seen. The Diana Memorial was one of them. I also was lucky to go on a nice hot day and watch the little children enjoying themselves in the water, and their parents dipping their feet in.
It was built with Cornish granite, and flows from the highest point in opposite directions and meets calmly at the bottom, with several bridges that allow you to walk to the heart.
Like Diana, this is a memorial that you can get enjoyment from, it is a thing of simple beauty, smooth but not overpowering. It is about the impression that can be made from the look, touch and feel. It is a memorial that actually ensures memories are kept and memories are made.

Kensington gardens in London are a popular spot for the tourists as it is a child friendly and a relaxing experience, but, what is more entertaining than that experience is the Princess Diana’s memorial park just before the Kensington palace it is such a delightful experience with children. The park is full of themes and has all kinds of different experiences to take on. There is a pirate ship, which is surrounded with sand so that the little ones who cant get on to the ship can play around it plus it has a jungle look to it which makes the tree-​house section look even better, this is not it there are a lot of other sections so the whole day is sorted if on an outing with the little ones. It is a great place to visit with friends aswell, the park has a nice comfortable café outside which over looks the palace and the lake. I personally, enjoy going there with children and at times just by myself, for a relaxing cup of tea.

The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain received a lot of Press– good and bad and I went expecting to be disappointed I guess. However personally I really love this place. I visited in summer and there were lots of children and families enjoying the pools and there is a real atmosphere of calm. It is good that people can actually ‘use’ this memorial being something you can actually touch. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Hyde Park.