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 Caroline, wife of George II, took almost 300 acres from Hyde Park to form Kensington Gardens. The 350 acres that remained has become one of London's best-loved parks. Almost every kind of outdoor pursuit takes place within its lush green landscape. Horse riding, rollerblading, bowls, putting and tennis are all catered for while informal games of cricket, rounders and frizbee spring up on the area to the south of the park known as The Sports Field. A number of famous London attractions are also housed within this central space. Hyde Park boasts Speakers' Corner, the Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain and the Serpentine Boating Lake - another feature owed to Queen Caroline who started a new landscaping trend by designing this natural-looking lake. Today the water is a hive of activity in the summer months, doubling up as a lido and boating lake with its very own solar powered boat plus two cafes - The Lido Cafe and Serpentine Bar & Kitchen - on the water's edge. Hyde Park's central location means it attracts a diverse crowd, making it one of the most buzzing, fun green spaces in London. A full diary of events including free guided walks, concerts and children's entertainment complete the picture.
Best for: Sunbathing and swimming, horse-riding and rollerblading, ducks, deckchairs and monuments.
(Image: Hyde Park)
What's on at
Hyde Park
Rollerstroll 24th May 2009 - 20th December 2009 Every Sunday, meet on the east side of Serpentine Road...
Price: FREE
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 21st November 2009 - 3rd January 2010 Throughout December a section of Hyde Park near Hyde Park...
Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL
It'll be packed and full of tourists but, if you can cope with this, Harrods has its finger on... More
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, W2 2UH
21st November 2009 - 3rd January 2010
Throughout December a section of Hyde Park near Hyde Park Corner... More
Royal Park
3 Westbourne Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, W2 3UL
You'll be welcomed with a drink and mince pies on arrival at the Royal Park over... More
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, W2 2UH
21st November 2009 - 3rd January 2010
Throughout December a section of Hyde Park near Hyde Park Corner... More
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, W2 2UH
22nd November 2008 - 4th January 2009
Throughout December and into early January a section of Hyde Park... More
The Park Manager,
The Ranger's Lodge,Mayfair,
London,
W2Map
1 minutes walk from Hyde Park
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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Every Sunday, meet on the east side of Serpentine Road in Hyde Park for Rollerstroll, London's largest mass skating event. This big, very chilled skating ...More
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
Head to Hyde Park this winter for a storytelling session with Christmas Stories told by Spoken Ink, a Wandsworth-based company which specialises in short stories ...More
LondonTown.com has special discounts every week. The amount of discount will vary depending on the dates you are coming and how far in advance you book. All discounts are subject to availability.
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