 |
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 of outdoor pursuit takes place within its 625 acres all year round. Horse-riding, rollerblading, swimming, boating, tennis, cycling, bowling and putting are just some of the formal activities catered for, while informal games of cricket, football, rugby and rounders regularly sprout up in the ‘Sports Field’ on the south side of the park. A number of famous London attractions are also housed within this central space. Hyde Park boasts the Speaker's Corner and the Serpentine lake, lido and art gallery, while Kensington Palace, the Italian Gardens, Peter Pan statue, Albert Memorial and Diana Memorial Playground characterise Kensington Gardens. Both spaces have strong royal associations. In 1536, as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII recalled Hyde Park back from the monks of Westminster Abbey, and began using it for hunting. In 1728, George II’s wife Queen Caroline engineered the introduction of water to the park by channelling a stream to create the Long Water and Serpentine. Public use of the park was banned in the 18th century and then only introduced years later to a contingent of “respectably dressed” folk. The situation now couldn’t be more different. From formally dressed horse-riders to scantily clad sunbathers, this area attracts and welcomes everyone. Its central location means it lures in folk from every walk of life and, as a result, is one of the most colourful, dynamic and fascinating green spaces in London. A full complement of events including free guided walks, concerts, workshops and entertainments complete the picture.
Best for:
Sunbathing and swimming, horse-riding and rollerblading, ducks, deckchairs, monuments and galleries.
Did you know?
Kensington Gardens hold bird records that date back more than a hundred years. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Alternative
Parks and Gardens Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Leisure |
| Kensington Gardens |
|
Park Office,
Magazine Storeyard,
Magazine Gate,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
|
|
0 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| Technically two different parks, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are in practical and historical terms one huge, merging expanse. Almost every kind of outdoor pursuit ...More...
|
|
|
|
| London Leisure |
| Hyde Park |
|
Rangers Lodge,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
|
|
1 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Leisure Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Leisure |
| Hyde Park Stables |
|
63
Bathurst Mews,
Bayswater,
London,
W2
|
|
12 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| Hop on a steed and trot your way through one of London's most central parks, courtesy of those lovely equestrian types at Hyde Park Stables. ...More...
|
|
|
|
| London Leisure |
| The Serpentine Lido |
|
Hyde Park,
South Kensington,
London,
W2
|
|
10 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| A hugely popular swimming venue, every summer Hyde Park's lovely lake invites London folk to plunge into its watery depths. It's a great ...More...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Hotels Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Hotels |
| The Cumberland |
|
Great Cumberland Place,
London,
W1H7DL
|
|
12 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
| London Hotels |
| Thistle Marble Arch |
|
Bryanston Street,
London,
W1A
|
|
12 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Event Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Event |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland |
|
Hyde Park,
Rangers Lodge,
W2
|
|
10 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
| London Event |
| Jools Holland & His Rhythm And Blues Orchestra |
|
Royal Albert Hall,
Kensington Gore,
SW7
|
|
15 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| Keys legend Jools Holland returns to the Royal Albert Hall with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for two nights of boogie-woogie, swing and ska. Performing ...More...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Sights and Attractions Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Sights and Attractions |
| Serpentine Boating Lake |
|
The Boat House,
Serpentine Road,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
|
|
0 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| Fed by a pure underground spring, and set in the heart of London's gorgeous Hyde Park, the Serpentine Boating Lake is one of the most ...More...
|
|
|
|
| London Sights and Attractions |
| Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain |
|
Hyde Park,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
|
|
0 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Shopping Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Shopping |
| The Spa at Mandarin Oriental |
|
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park,
66
Knightsbridge,
Knightsbridge,
London,
SW1X
|
|
9 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
| London Shopping |
| Cutler and Gross |
|
16
Knightsbridge Green,
Knightsbridge,
London,
SW1X
|
|
10 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Dining Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Dining |
| Serpentine Bar & Kitchen |
|
Serpentine Road,
Hyde Park,
Mayfair,
London,
W2
|
|
1 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| Formerly the Dell Cafe, the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen on the eastern edge of the Serpentine in Hyde Park has been given a facelift and ...More...
|
|
|
|
| London Dining |
| The Park Terrace (Mandarin Oriental Hotel) |
|
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park,
66
Knightsbridge,
Knightsbridge,
London,
SW1X7LA
|
|
9 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| Quintessentially English, this pretty al fresco spot, attached to the Mandarin Oriental hotel and overlooking Hyde Park, offers a real summer treat. Enjoy a light ...More...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Pubs Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
| London Pubs |
| Victoria |
|
10a
Strathearn Place,
Bayswater,
London,
W2
|
|
12 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
| London Pubs |
| The Duke of Kendall |
|
38
Connaught Street,
Bayswater,
London,
W2
|
|
12 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| 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...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Local
Business Near Hyde Park |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| London Business |
| Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park |
|
66
Knightsbridge,
Knightsbridge,
London,
SW1X
|
|
9 minutes distance from Hyde Park
|
| ...More...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
