When in London, if you want to take a break from the museums and urban street life, Hyde Park is a great place to visit for a spot of nature and the outdoors. We will share six interesting things to know about Hyde Park before you make your way there.
Located in the heart of London, Hyde Park offers a quiet respite from the city and with 350 acres of space, you can find your own secret spot to escape at the park.
Hyde Park: A Royal Park
There are a total of eight royal parks in London and Hyde Park is one of them. Royal Parks were once land that were used by the royal family for their own recreational purposes like hunting. They are now handed managed by the government and open to all.
However, when you pay a visit to a Royal Park such as Hyde Park, you will still be able to see vestiges of their royal association.
Hyde Park became a Royal Park when Henry VIII took it from the monks of Westminster Abbey ins 1536. It was turned into a hunting ground for deer. Though James I allowed limited access, it was Charles I who opened Hyde Park to the public in 1637.
Kensington Gardens is located to the west of Hyde Park and the two parks merge seamlessly with each other.
William III moved his court to Kensington Palace, which is located at the western end of Kensington Gardens at the end of the 17th century. Kensington Palace is now the official London residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Kensington Palace is closely associated with Princess Diana.
Hyde Park: Tips & Things to Know Before Visiting
If you are planning a visit to Hyde Park, we’ve put together six useful things for you to know and look out for at the park. We hope this helps you get the most out of your visit to Hyde Park.
1. The Serpentine
One of the most iconic spots at Hyde Park is The Serpentine. This is a 40-acre recreational lake at the heart of Hyde Park. It is an artificial lake and was created in 1730 at the request of Queen Caroline, the wife of George II.
Even though it only has one bend, the lake gets its name from its sinuous form.
Originally, the water for The Serpentine came from the River Westbourne and Tyburn Brook. Then it was pumped from the Thames and most recently it is now pumped from three boreholes within Hyde Park.
Pedantically speaking, only the water body to the east of the Serpentine Bridge is known as The Serpentine. The water to the west of the bridge is known as The Long Water and is technically in Kensington Gardens.
To really experience The Serpentine, there is nothing like getting either in or on it.
On the south bank of The Serpentine is the Serpentine Lido, an outdoor, open water swimming location.
The oldest swimming club in Britain, the Serpentine Swimming Club swims each day at the Lido Area and famously on Christmas Day as well.
But you don’t need to be a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club to enjoy the water. The Lido is open for public swimming on weekend from mid-May till mid-September. Entry is via the manned entrance gate next to the the pavilion.
Get more details on how to go swimming at the Lido at The Serpentine.
Maybe you don’t want to jump into the water but still want to experience some sort of water activity. Good news, you can hired a pedal boat and go out for a leisurely boat ride on The Serpentine. The boat hires come in either 30 minute or 60 minute blocks of time.
The Hyde Park boat hire is located on the northern side of The Serpentine. While it is open year round, the operating times defer.
Get the latest details and timings on boat hire at The Serpentine.
2. Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is located a short distance away from The Serpentine Lido.
Opened in 2004, it is made out of 545 pieces of Cornish granite. The design of the fountain is inspired by Diana’s life and flows in two directions from the top before meeting again at calm pool at the bottom. The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is said to represent Diana’s openness.
Three bridges allow visitors to cross into the heart of the memorial.
The fountain’s water is drawn up from ground water.
What you may not know is that visitors are allowed to sit at the edge of the Memorial and to dip their feet into the water.
3. Other Memorials and Statues
There are many other memorials and statues around Hyde Park. Amongst the famous ones at Hyde Park include the Animals in War Memorial, a tribute to the animals that suffered and died during the wars of the 20th century.
When you stroll into Hyde Park’s Rose Garden, you will come across the Boy and Dolphin fountain. Made in 1862, it was moved around several times before ending up at Hyde Park.
The Reformers Tree is a mosaic that commemorates an oak tree that became the focus of protests in 1866 by a group, the Reform League, that was campaigning for all adult men to have the right to vote. It became a rallying point for people’s right to assemble and finally a corner of Hyde Park became set aside for people to speak.
4. Speakers Corner
The world famous Speakers Corner was established in 1872 by an act of parliament. It was a spot where people could say anything as long as they didn’t use indecent or obscene language.
Visit on a Sunday if you wish to catch people speaking at Speakers Corner. On other days, you can patronise the concession store there.
5. Playground
For those visiting Hyde Park with kids, it is useful to know that there is a children’s playground at South Carriage Drive. This is found at the southern edge of Hyde Park.
There is another popular playground at the adjacent Kensington Gardens – the Diana Memorial Playground.
6. Events
Hyde Park is always hosting events throughout the year. The most famous of these would be the ice skating rink at the end of the year and the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Whenever you are going to be in London, you can check to see if there will be an event going on at the Hyde Park events page.
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