Albert Memorial
Kensington Gardens 27 Princes Square London W2 4NJ
Opposite the Albert Hall and just inside Kensington Gardens, this fabulously ornate Gothic revival memorial celebrates the life of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's much-loved husband who died in 1861. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and officially opened by Queen Victoria in July 1872, it's a love-letter in stone, huge and ornate, and intricate enough to gaze at for hours. See if you can identify any of the 169 individual architects, sculptors, artists and poets that are represented on the elaborate frieze, and enjoy the photo opportunities presented by the allegorical sculptures at the corners – each of the four represents a continent and includes an appropriate animal (a camel for Africa, etc). The steps that surround the monument also make a perfect picnic spot, overlooking South Carriage Drive, which is popular with skaters, and also the best place for a view of the Albert Hall, which was built after the memorial was erected.