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Probably the most famous of all the stunning parks in London is Hyde Park - and with the adjoining Kensington Gardens, this luscious green space running from Speakers“ Corner and Marble Arch in the north-east to Kensington Palace in the south west, stretches for, what seems like, forever. Whether you fancy rollerblading, roller-skating, jogging, or horse riding along “Rotten Row“, checking out historical monuments such as Wellington Arch and Aspley House in Hyde Park Corner, paddling or rowing down the Serpentine, playing cricket, tennis or throwing a frisbee in the “Sports Field“ or just want to simply loll about reading the newspaper; the oasis of Hyde Park is the perfect escape from the nearby chaos of central London.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are separated by the artificial lake “The Serpentine“. This snake-like body of water is home to stunning wildlife including swans, ducks and geese as well as being, for those that are game, a popular place for swimming. A really nice way to relax on a sunny day in London is to rent a rowing or paddle boat from the boathouse, located on the north bank, and spend the afternoon bobbing up and down the lake. The upper, narrow and most beautiful end of the lake is the “Long Water“. This section houses a group of five fountains called the Italian Garden and the parks“ better known monument “Peter Pan“ - the fictional fairytale character who first arrived in London floating along the Serpentine.
In the northern corner of Hyde Park, opposite Marble Arch tube station, is “Speakers Corner“, an area of the park that has been used as a public soap box since the right of free assembly was acknowledged in 1872. Crowds congregate to listen to, heckle or debate with anyone who has a desire to publicly express their opinion on any particular topic. It can be very entertaining any day of the week but Sunday is definitely the best day to go.
At the other end of the park, located within Kensington Gardens, is “Kensington Palace“. The Palace is best known today as the residence of the late Princess Diana, where she called home up until her death in August 1997. “The Diana Memorial Fountain“, which was opened by the Queen in July 2004, is located a little closer to the Serpentine on the other side of West Carriage Drive. In front of the Palace is the “Round Pond“, and it is around this area, in the north western corner of the park, that you will discover what locals call the “Elfin Tree“, an ancient tree that has been beautifully and delicately carved with elves, fairies and animals. Not far from here, by the Italian Garden is the famous Pet Cemetery where the 300 hundred graves belong to the upper-class dogs of society that were buried here between 1880 and 1915, when the cemetery closed.
From Kensington Palace, the gardens spill over into the wealthy district of Kensington where you will find mainstream, franchise shopping on Kensington High Street. After that you can make your way to South Kensington where three of London's finest, and free, museums are located; Victoria & Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Just north-east of here is Knightsbridge where the world famous department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols are located (with food halls to end any diet), along with fabulous designer label shopping on Sloane Street. Along the eastern side of the park between Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch is the incredibly chic and posh district of Mayfair and Park Lane - home to some of London's finest and most expensive hotels, designer shopping streets such as Bond Street and most of the city's best known auction houses and galleries. Around the corner to the west is Bayswater, where you can dine in the most delicious Lebanese restaurants that line Edgware Road, and the Bayswater Market art fair that runs along Bayswater Road is great to explore on Sundays.
Spring and Autumn are beautiful times to visit Hyde Park but Summertime is always the most fun and action packed, with the gardens being used as a venue for various events such as one of the Live 8 benefit concerts in 2004 that involved more than 1,000 musicians.
There is limited parking around Hyde Park so it really is best to use public transport, however there are Pay and Display car parks on either side of Serpentine Bridge. Underground stations surrounding the park are Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch, Lancaster Gate and High Street Kensington. There are also numerous buses coming into the area from every direction.
Hyde Park on New Years Eve where you can watch the London Eye Fireworks display from the Serpentine Bridge.
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