Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the most famous park in central London with an area of 1.4 square kilometers. Not far from Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park is adjacent to Kensington Gardens (separated by the lake of The Serpentine).
Hyde Park was named after the old English measurement unit “hide” and began to emerge in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VIII, who used it as a game park. Today it is the official gateway to the Hyde Park Corner in the southeast corner with a number of attractions like the Australian War Memorial or the Wellington Arch. In the northern part, at the Marble Arch, there is the popular Speakers’ Corner, where it is allowed to speak on any subject. The park is not only used for relaxation, but also for hosting concerts. The place featured bands like the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Queen. Once a year, the music festival British Summer Time Hyde Park takes place in here.From Novemberto early January, Hyde Park hosts the winter events Wonderland with an ice skating rink, an ice palace and carousels. Later on, Christmas markets with handicrafts and traditional festive snacks take place in the park.
Useful information for visitors
Public transport connections
The nearest public transport stop at Hyde Park is:
- underground station Lancaster Gate (Central Line)
- underground station and bus stop Marble Arch (Central Line)
- underground station and bus stop Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
- underground station Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line)
- bus stop Park Lane
- bus stop Hyde Park Street
Opening hours and admission
Up-to-date information on opening hours to Hyde Park is available on the official website. Admission is free. More information about the events here.
Interesting facts about Hyde Park
The entire southern edge of Hyde Park is made up of the so-called Rotten Row, a wide road where the nobility used to ride horses and is now used for jogging. Several sports fields and tennis courts are nearby. To the south of the lake of The Serpentine, there is the oval, circular Fountain of Diana, Princess of Wales. At the end of Oxford Street, one can see the Marble Arch, which is also one of the entrances to the park. In the northwest tip at the end of The Serpentine are Italian gardens and fountains.