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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.
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Alternative
Sights Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| St Christopher's Place |
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23
Barrett Street,
Marylebone,
London,
W1U
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11 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Wellington Arch |
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Hyde Park Corner,
Belgravia,
London,
W1J
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17 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Serpentine Boating Lake |
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The Boat House,
Serpentine Road,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
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10 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain |
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Hyde Park,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
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10 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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Local
Hotels Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Hotels |
| The Cumberland |
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Great Cumberland Place,
London,
W1H7DL
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3 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| With artworks dotted around the hotel and a huge, bright, modern reception filled with sculptures and stark, overhead pools of lighting, first impressions are more ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Thistle Marble Arch |
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Bryanston Street,
London,
W1A
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3 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Located at one end of Oxford Street, one of London's most famous shopping districts, with Bond Street not far and Hyde Park opposite, this Art ...More...
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Local
Event Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Event |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland |
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Hyde Park,
Rangers Lodge,
W2
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11 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Throughout December a section of Hyde Park near Hyde Park Corner is transformed into a Winter Wonderland, complete with fairground rides, giant wheel, circus, Christmas ...More...
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| London Event |
| Oxford Street Christmas Lights |
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Oxford Street,
W1C
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11 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Jim Carrey has the honour of turning on the Christmas Lights on Oxford Street this year, part of the city-wide celebrations to mark the premier ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Shopping |
| Bliss Chemist |
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5
Marble Arch,
Bayswater,
London,
W1H
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2 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Sandwiched between Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s in Marble Arch, the Bliss Chemist is open till late seven days a week, to satisfy all your pharmaceutical needs. ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic |
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54
Green Street,
Mayfair,
London,
W1K
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5 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Philip Kingsley has an international reputation and is a pioneer in the field of trichology. Consultations cost approximately £175 upwards and treatments to suit are ...More...
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Local
Restaurants Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Restaurants |
| Rhodes W1 Brasserie |
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The Cumberland Hotel,
Great Cumberland Place,
Marylebone,
London,
W1H7AL
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3 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| TV Chef Gary Rhodes, he of the spiky hair and fierce pride in British cooking, has teamed up with this top-of-the-line hotel to showcase his ...More...
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| London Restaurants |
| Locanda Locatelli |
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Hyatt Regency Hotel - The Churchill,
8
Seymour Street,
Marylebone,
London,
W1H
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4 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| This superb restaurant opened in 2002, a the first venture of Giorgio Locatelli (formerly Head Chef at Zafferano) and has since won praise from virtually ...More...
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Local
Education Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Education |
| La Cucina Caldesi |
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118
Marylebone Lane,
Marylebone,
London,
W1U
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13 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| The Caldesi family first set up a cooking school in Giancarlo's native Tuscany. His 'Return to Tuscany' was captured by BBC cameras and dished up ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Leisure |
| Brown Hart Gardens |
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Duke Street,
Mayfair,
London,
W1K
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9 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| This beautiful garden just off Oxford Street and close to Selfridges occupies an unlikely position - above an electricity sub-station. Brown Hart Gardens were re-opened ...More...
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| London Leisure |
| Hyde Park |
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Rangers Lodge,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
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9 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Technically two different parks, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are in practical terms one huge, merging expanse. The 'split' dates back to 1728 when Queen ...More...
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Local
Pubs Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Pubs |
| Punch Bowl |
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41
Farm Street,
Mayfair,
London,
W1J
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11 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Famous for its famous owner, the Punch Bowl became a celebrity hang-out when Guy Ritchie split up with Madonna. The director of 'Lock, Stock' could ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| Victoria |
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10a
Strathearn Place,
Bayswater,
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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Local
Nightlife Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Nightlife |
| Molton House |
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43
South Molton Street,
Mayfair,
London,
W1K
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12 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| Molton House is a stylish restaurant, cocktail bar and club on South Molton Street directly opposite Browns, Joan Burstein's well-known designer clothes store. Brought to ...More...
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Local
Business Near Speakers' Corner |
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| London Business |
| London Marriott Hotel Park Lane |
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140
Park Lane,
Mayfair,
London,
W1K
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3 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| ...More...
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| London Business |
| MWB Business Exchange Marble Arch Tower |
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Marble Arch Tower,
55
Bryanston Street,
Marylebone,
London,
W1H
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3 minutes distance from Speakers' Corner
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| ...More...
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