HYDE PARK ULTIMATE GUIDE
Open: Everyday: 5:00AM to 12:00AM
Time Needed: 2,5 hours
Price: Free
Whether you’re hoping for a relaxing stroll around one of London’s most stunning parks, or an exciting adventure for every member of your family to enjoy, Hyde Park offers the best of both worlds. From football, swimming and boat-rowing, to snapping photos or even just having a quiet afternoon reading a book, Hyde Park has it all.
Henry VIII first acquired the area now known as Hyde Park in 1536, and if it wasn’t for him, Hyde Park as we know it wouldn’t exist today. Henry VIII was the first member of the royal family to take interest in the area, and he was often spotted hunting for deer with members of his court during his reign. As a matter of fact, Henry VIII loved the area so much, he eventually built a fence around it so visitors wouldn’t be allowed to enter the area, and created drinking ponds for the deer. He also used the park to organize royal hunts and entertain various ambassadors and dignitaries as well.
It wasn’t until James I came into power when visitors were finally allowed “limited access” to the area, and in 1637 Charles I eventually opened the park to the general public (although the park was still kept private for some occasions up until 1949). Today, both locals and tourists enjoy these grounds, that are perfect to chill out after a free walking tour around London.
Hyde Park Highlights
Hyde Park remains to be one of the most popular outdoor attractions in London, and with so many festivals, events, exhibits and concerts being held in Hyde Park throughout the year, it’s easy to see why. The park also boasts more than 360 acres of land and contains attractions, gardens, monuments, memorials and even palaces.
At the north-eastern section of the park, visitors will see important attractions like the Marble Arch, the Animals in War monument and Speaker’s Corner – the most famous location in the world for free speech which has been used by the likes of Winston Churchill, Karl Marx and George Orwell.
At the north-western section of Hyde Park lies the Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Palace, the Kensington Gardens and the Queen Victoria and King William III statues.
Attractions located in the south-western corner include The Albert Memorial (which is a stone’s throw away from the Royal Albert Hall), the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain (where visitors are free to paddle their feet in the water), and the Serpentine Gallery.
Attractions located in the south-eastern section of the park include the Hyde Park Bandstand (also the oldest bandstand in Britain), Achilles Statue, and the Holocaust Memorial Gardens. If you have some time, try and venture south of South Carriage Drive to see One Hyde Park House – one of the most expensive apartment blocks in the world; (one flat was recently sold for as much as £140 million!)
The center of Hyde Park boasts a 40-acre lake (The Serpentine) which shouldn’t be missed by any visitor. At the northern tip of the lake are the stunning Italian Gardens with the ever-popular Pan statue just south of them.
There is also a seven-mile long Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk which leads visitors to all the famous buildings and locations associated with Princess Diana during her lifetime. To take part in the walk, simply follow the plaques which are located on the ground throughout Hyde Park.
If you happen to be visiting Hyde Park during the winter, the park is transformed into the highly-popular Winter Wonderland attraction, which boasts Bavarian-style food stalls, a massive skating rink, roller coasters, and much more.
Special Tips
Make sure you check Hyde Park's official website beforehand in case there are any scheduled events or celebrations during your visit to London.
Keep an eye out for celebrities when walking by One Hyde Park.
If you want to swim in The Serpentine pool, there are cheaper admission costs if you arrive after 4 p.m.
Keep an eye out for the royal guards and horses who might be randomly marching in the park during your visit.
Take some nuts with you so you can feed the friendly squirrels living in the park!
Getting There
Address: Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY, United Kingdom.
By Tube: If you are travelling by tube, the nearest stations are Lancaster Gate (located to the north of the park), Hyde Park Corner (at the south-eastern point of Hyde Park, Marble Arch (to the north-east) and Knightsbridge to the south.)
By Bus: If travelling by bus, Hyde Park can be reached from the north by routes C2, 6, 7, 10, 16, 19, 23, 36, 52, 52, 73, 82, 98, 113, 274, 390 and 414, and from the south by routes 2, 36, 137, 148, 159 and 436, to the west by routes 9, 10, 14, 19, 22, 52, 74, 94, 148 and 414 or from the east by routes 8, 15, 23, 30, 38 and 274.
By Car: If you are travelling by car, parking is available on West Carriage Drive, as well as in the car parks at both ends of the Serpentine Bridge from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Visiting Hyde Park
There’s more to Hyde Park than just taking a pleasant stroll around it. The park also offers a ton of different recreational activities such as open water swimming, a putting green, cricket playing areas, football pitches, boating, tennis and even horseback riding.
At the southern bank of The Serpentine, visitors can swim in a rectangular swimming area during the summer months. Also at The Serpentine, visitors can take a ride on the UK’s first Solarshuttle (a vessel only powered by solar power), which can carry up to 40 passengers at a time. There are also fleets of rowing and pedal boats available for hire, as well as cycle hire docking stations located throughout the park.
If you are in need of refreshments during your visit, there are several refreshment kiosks and café huts scattered all throughout the park, some of which provide seating. There is also The Lido Cafe and Serpentine Bar & Kitchen which offers meals, not to mention a ton of different areas where visitors are allowed to sit down and have a picnic.
When to Visit
Hyde Park is free to enter between the hours of 5 a.m. and midnight every day, all-year round. It's wonderful all year round, specially after a day of sightseeing or taking a free tour.
Boating on The Serpentine is open from April until October 31st, from 10 a.m. to around 4 p.m. (during the winter) and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (during the summer). Boating on The Serpentine costs:
- £12 for one hour, or £10 for 30 minutes (for adults)
- £5 for one hour, or £4 for 30 minutes (for children under the ages of 15)
- £29 for one hour, or £24 for 30 minutes (for families consisting of two adults and two children).
Children under the ages of 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and children under the ages of four can get on the boats for free. If they are under the age of 12 months they will not be permitted on the hire boats or Solarshuttle).
The Serpentine pool is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer months and costs:
- £4.80 for adults
- £3.80 for seniors and students
- £1.80 for children
- £12 for families (consisting of two adults and up to two children).
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
If you want to hire a deck chair during your visit, the chairs are available between March to October during the daylight hours (weather permitting). The deck chairs cost:
- £1.60 up to one hour
- £2.60 up to two hours
- £3.60 up to three hours
- £4.60 up to four hours
- £8 for all-day usage
If you wish to visit Hyde Park, you might be interested in joining some of the many free tours in London that depart daily.
