Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of several royal parks in London connected to each other, forming one large green lung in the center of the city. The other parks are the neighbouring Kensington Gardens, Green Park and St. James's Park. The park is contiguous with Kensington Gardens, which is widely assumed to be part of Hyde Park, but is technically separate. The boundary between the two is West Carriage Drive. Hyde Park is 350 acres (1.4 km²) and Kensington Gardens is 260 acres (1.05 km²) giving an overall area of 615 acres (2.45 km²). Hyde Park is divided in two by the Serpentine Lake.
In 1536 King Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey. It was used primarily for hunting. King Charles I created the ring that separate Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens at the north side and opened the park to the public in 1637.
Hyde Park provides facilities for many different leisure activities like jogging, picnicking and horse riding, and sports such as swimming and rowing. It is also the focal point for public events of all sizes. Hyde park hosts many large events, including celebrations and concerts.
Just outside Hyde Park, at the north-east corner, is the Marble Arch. It was originally built in 1827 as a gateway to Buckingham Palace, but it was too narrow for the state coach and was moved to its present location in 1851. The design by John Nash was based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome.
Another arch, the Wellington Arch, can be found on the south-east corner of the park, connecting Hyde Park with Green Park. The arch was built in 1826 by Decimus Burton. A statue of the Duke of Wellington was added later, in 1846. The statue was replaced by the Quadriga of War in 1912. Inside the arch are exhibitions and galleries open to visitors.
Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens covers 260 acres and was originally part of Hyde Park. The Gardens with their magnificent trees are the setting for Kensington Palace, the choice of William III and Mary II for their London home. Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace and lived there until she became queen in 1837.
The Kensington Gardens is very popular for walking and jogging. It is a more relaxing park than the adjacent Hyde Park.
Its most famous attraction is the Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana. Other features of the park include a bronze statue of Peter Pan and the 180ft high Albert Memorial. It was built between 1864 and 1876 to commemorate Prince Albert I, husband of Queen Victoria.
Another attraction in the park is the Serpentine Gallery, a modern art gallery housed in a former tea pavilion. One of the latest features added to the park is the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. The modern playground, one of three playgrounds in the Kensington Gardens, is themed around Peter Pan.
Also popular are the Long Water, a large lake, the Round Pond (a favorite with remote controlled boat enthusiasts) and the sunken garden, a beautiful garden created in 1909 and based on a Tudor garden in Hampton Court.
| How to get there from Holiday Villa London... | |
Walk From Holiday Villa London to Speakers Corner, Hyde Park |
29 minutes |