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Area in Hyde Park designated for public speaking.
Not strictly classed “entertainment”, this bastion of British free public speech and free assembly can prove one of the most absorbingly unique, theatrical activities the city has to offer. Located on the corner of Park Lane and Cumberland Gate, opposite Marble Arch tube, Speakers' Corner is the spiritual home of the British democratic tradition of soapbox oratory. Every Sunday since the right of free assembly was recognised in 1872 in the Royal Parks and Garden's Act, people from all walks of life have gathered to listen to speeches about anything and everything... and to heckle. From Socialism to Sunday trading, sausages to space invaders, the opinions aired here are varied and fascinating. While Karl Marx, Lenin, George Orwell, and William Morris have all used this spot to express their ideals and beliefs, your average speaker isn’t quite as high profile. The coherence of the speakers also varies greatly, but as a whole it makes for great street theatre. Come and watch, come and heckle, or, if you have a burning desire to share your opinions with the world, come and spout - take something to stand on and start pontificating. Although Sunday morning is the best time to visit, speakers can now be found on the corner throughout the week.
Best for:
Marxism, Socialism, Capitalism, public protestations and pontifications, rants and ramblings.
Did you know?
A number of other London parks have specially designated Speakers' Corners. |
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Alternative
Other Attractions Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Harrods |
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87-135
Brompton Road,
Knightsbridge,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW1X
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13 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| England's most famous department store.
Owned by eponymous Egyptian entrepreneur Mohamed Al-Fayed, Britain's most iconic shop features on many tourists’ “must-see” lists - and with good ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| London Central Mosque |
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146
Park Road,
Westminster,
London,
NW8
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35 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Vast Islamic mosque in Regent's Park.
With its huge, gold dome, the London Central Mosque gleams out above the dense green canopy of Regent’s Park. Designed ...More...
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Kensington Gardens |
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Park Office,
Magazine Storeyard,
Magazine Gate,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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0 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Central, sporty park.
Technically two different parks, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are in practical and historical terms one huge, merging expanse. Almost every kind ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Princess Diana Memorial Fountain |
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Hyde Park,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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0 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| A year in the construction, this £3.6 million attraction opened in a blaze of farcical incompetence, as the architects discovered two shocking things: kids play ...More...
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Local
Hotels Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Hotels |
| The Cumberland |
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Great Cumberland Place,
Westminster,
London,
W1H7DL
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12 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| This glamorous hotel resides in Park Lane and boasts a class of its own. Outstanding comfort and personal service combine to form a truly unique ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Thistle Marble Arch |
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Bryanston Street,
Westminster,
London,
W1A
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12 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Located in the heart of central London in London's famous shopping district of Oxford Street and Bond Street with Hyde Park opposite, this Art Deco ...More...
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Local
Event Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Event |
| London Skate |
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Hyde Park Bandstand,
Near Serpentine,
Westminster,
London,
W1J
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16 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Organised in association with Skatefresh, this free Wednesday night skate kicks off in Hyde Park and takes in all the major sights of London and ...More...
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| London Event |
| Magnetic Fields |
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Cadogan Hall,
5
Sloane Terrace,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW1X
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23 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Stephin Merritt's relentless ambition, huge popularity in the blogging community, and tendency to release triple-CD concept albums are the reasons why he is being allowed ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Shopping |
| The Spa at Mandarin Oriental |
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Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park,
66
Knightsbridge,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW1X
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9 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| The vitality plunge pool, amethyst crystal steam room and zen colour therapy relaxation area are all part of the experience at the Spa at the ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Cutler and Gross |
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16
Knightsbridge Green,
Westminster,
London,
SW1X
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10 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| If you're feeling flush and flashy then Cutler & Gross in Knightsbridge is a very exclusive place to invest in eyewear. They stock a selection ...More...
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Local
Dining Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Dining |
| Mocoto |
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145
Knightsbridge,
Westminster,
London,
SW1X
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9 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| This Brazilian bar and restaurant in the well-heeled district of Knightsbrige has finally opened after a year's delay. Where you used to find Isola, now ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Zuma |
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5
Raphael Street,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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10 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| The most stylish of London's upmarket Japanese restaurants, Zuma is all dimly lit lamps and sunken tables sectioned off by dark wood screens. The service ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Leisure |
| Hyde Park |
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The Park Manager,
The Ranger's Lodge,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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0 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Central, sporty park.
Technically two different parks, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are in practical and historical terms one huge, merging expanse. Almost every kind ...More...
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| London Leisure |
| Serpentine Boating Lake |
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The Boat House,
Serpentine Road,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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0 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Fed by a pure underground spring, and set in the heart of London's gorgeous Royal Parks, the Serpentine is one of the most pleasant places ...More...
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Local
Pubs Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Pubs |
| Victoria |
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10a
Strathearn Place,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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12 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| High up on a wall, behind the counter of this opulent, smart Victorian pub is a clock dated 1864. A framed copy of the Sun ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| The Duke of Kendall |
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38
Connaught Street,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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12 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Sunday nights at the Duke of Kendal are not for the shy or retiring. If you're planning on coming by for a quiet pint you'll ...More...
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Local
Business Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Business |
| The Dell, Hyde Park |
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Eastern side of the Serpentine,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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1 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| ...More...
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| London Business |
| Kent House Knightsbridge |
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Rutland Gardens,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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9 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| ...More...
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