Serpentine (lake) - The Long Water

The Long Water

At the northern end of The Long Water are five fountains surrounded by classical statuary and sculpture, the area is officially known as the Italian Gardens. A large bronze memorial to Edward Jenner, the developer of modern vaccination, dominates the area; it was originally located in Trafalgar Square in 1858, but four years later was moved to its present site. In recent years there has been an ongoing campaign for the memorial to be moved to the empty plinth in Trafalgar Square.

The Long Water is designated as a bird sanctuary. It has important populations of breeding waterfowls, and in winter there are many migratory visitors. A 2005 survey showed it as home to 90 species of moth alone. On the western bank of The Long Water, deliberately hidden in foliage, is a bronze sculpture of Peter Pan by George Frampton. The "real world" elements of the play and novel were set in the park and in the surrounding streets.