The park takes its name from its origins as part of the Manor of
Ebury when at that time its address was One Hide.
Hyde Park is one of the Royal Parks (owned by the monarchy) and is
one of the most popular parks in London and covers an area of 350
acres. Wide open spaces, horse riding, bird sanctuary, snack bars,
education centre (the Lookout), tennis courts, Bowling green, a
gallery, boating (weather permitting March through October) and Kensington Place at its South West corner make
this a great place to spend some time. Kensington Place and its
grounds, Kensington gardens join seamlessly with Hyde Park and its
not obvious where one begins and the other ends. There are over 4000
trees in the park.
In its past Hyde Park was a place for hunting deer, used as such by
Henry VIII would took possession of the park in 1536 from the monks
of Westminster Abbey. It wasn't until 1637 that the park was opened
up to the public by Charles I. During the great plague of 1665
Londoners used the park as a temporary camp to isolate themselves
from the plague.
The Serpentine Lake at the heart of the park was constructed in the
1730's by Queen Caroline. Since 1814 when Prince Regent held a
fireworks exhibition as a celebration of the ending of the
Napoleonic wars the park has been a venue for events in the capital.
It was the original site for the Crystal Palace while Pop concerts
and rallies are often held here. There is talk that the Notting Hill
carnival may be extended or moved to the park. Roller blading has
become very popular in Hyde Park and along with cycling is allowed
on designated sections.
The North East corner is known as
Speakers Corner and has its own particular history.
Traffic is allowed to use the park as a through route but this is
limited. It is closed to all traffic between midnight and 5am and
commercial traffic cannot use the park at any time.
The public road through Hyde Park which goes North/South is West
Carriage Drive and it actually splits the park into two distinct
sectors. On the east side is Hyde Park itself while on the West side
is Kensington Gardens. If you were to walk through the park however
you wouldn't even be aware of the difference as in reality its one
large open space. Kensington Gardens is 275 acres in size.
Photo number 11: Serpentine Gallery:
The Serpentine Gallery, situated in the heart of
Kensington Gardens in a 1934 tea pavilion, was founded in 1970 by the
Arts Council of Great Britain. Today the Gallery attracts over 400,000
visitors a year and is one of London's most loved places for seeing
modern and contemporary art and architecture.
Opening Hours:
Daily 10 am - 6 pm,
closed: December 24, 25 26, 31, January 1,
Photo number 29: Kensington Palace:
The Kensington Palace used to be home for Diana the late Princess
of Wales. Housing the royal ceremonial dress collection it is surrounded by
Kensington gardens with it's sunken gardens and the Queen Anne orangery. Located
just off of Kensington High Street.
Opening Hours:
March to October 10.00 to 17.00,
November to February 10.00 to 16.00
see>>
All London Photos
Hyde Park view from North to South East
North East corner of the park
Beauty spot by Dell Bridge
The Holocaust memorial Garden
The Holocaust memorial
Stone
Queen Mother Gates, Hyde Park Corner
South carriage Drive, alongside Knightsbridge
Italian Gardens
Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park
View from the bridge over the Serpentine
Serpentine Gallery
Looking towards Kensington Palace from South West corner of
Hyde park
Joy of Life Fountain
Diana Memorial Fountain
The Round Pond.
Victoria Gate, nearly opposite Lancaster Gate
North Carriage Drive
Huntress Fountain in the Rose Garden
Albert memorial on south side of Hyde Park.
Bandstand
Cavalry Memorial
Statue of Achilles
Boy and Dolphin Fountainea.
Snack bar by the Serpentine Lake
Serpentine Bridge
Physical Energy Statue
John Hanning Speke Memorial
Queen Victoria Statue
Kensington Palace
The Orangery
Elfin Oak
Jenner Statue
Buckhill Lodge
Apsley Gate