Two London Gardens

My five days in London began with a cheerful display of sunflowers at The Bailey’s Hotel and progressed to the wonders of Kensington, Chelsea Physic, and later, Kew Gardens. Kensington Gardens, formerly for Royals only, was a short walk from Bailey’s Hotel on my first day, a perfect antidote to jet lag. My main objective was the Serpentine Pavilion designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), that my friend Robert Ames had suggested, but I discovered many other delights. Take a look.

ISIS, Egyptian Goddess, not Islamic State — **Isis**, a 2009 bronze sculpture by Simon Gudgeon, shares its name with the ancient Egyptian Goddess of nature and motherhood, not the Islamic State.

Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, very large, many children — Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is very large and attracted many children, as well as one tired American who needed a foot soak.

Prince Albert Memorial, close-up. He was Queen Victoria’s husband.

Chelsea Physic Garden, suggested by my Arlington friend Dawn Bellinger, was a delight for my English friend Anne Rennie and me to see on August 2. Established by apothecaries in 1673, its size is now only three and a half acres. Under the leadership of Sir Hans Sloane, a physician who also helped establish the British Museum, this garden was a pioneer in the scientific study of plant-based medicines. Here are glimpses of the beauty we saw and the ideas we encountered.

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