London area of W2 guide

What to do and where to stay in London's W2 neighbourhood

The 350-acre Hyde Park dominates the W2 district of London, not to mention the giant Paddington Station and Bayswater. Hyde Park is technically divided into two parts by the Serpentine Lake: the original Hyde Park area and Kensington Gardens. The park has become a traditional location for mass demonstrations. The Chartists, the Reform League, the Suffragettes and the Stop The War Coalition have all held protests here through the ages, and many protestors on the Liberty and Livelihood March in 2002 began their route from Hyde Park. It's also been the venue for some famous rock concerts, including the world famous Live 8 concert series, and every summer some of the biggest bands take part in Hard Rock Calling, a weekend festival in June. The park will play its part in the London Olympics in 2012, hosting the triathlon and the 10 km open water swimming events. The W2 area is also notable for the Paddington Railway Station, a mammoth terminus for train services to the west of England, including the Heathrow Express.

See our recommended nearby W2 Hotels, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, and Meeting Venues.