Hyde Park

A royal hunting ground turned people's park

Henry VIII took the land from Westminster Abbey in 1536 for hunting, and it opened to the public in 1637. The Serpentine was created by damming the River Westbourne, finished in 1733, and the park hosted the Great Exhibition of 1851, when the Crystal Palace stood on its south side.

What to see

Walk the Serpentine's banks for herons and waterside cafés, or swim at the Lido, home to Britain's oldest swimming club. South of the lake, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain opened in 2004. In the north-east corner near Marble Arch, Speakers' Corner has been a place for open debate since 1872, with Marx and Orwell among past speakers. Rotten Row, the historic riding track, and the rose garden are good for a quieter walk.

Planning your visit

Pedestrian gates open early and close at midnight. Arrive by Tube at Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch or Lancaster Gate depending on which side you want. In summer, BST Hyde Park concerts close parts of the park, and in winter Winter Wonderland fills the south-east corner, so check events before you go. Sports pitches for football, tennis and padel sit on the former Crystal Palace site.

Highlights

• The Serpentine lake and Lido
• Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
• Speakers' Corner
• Rotten Row and the rose garden
• Winter Wonderland and BST Hyde Park concerts

Good to know

• Pedestrian gates are open from 5am to midnight.
• Nearest Tube stations include Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch and Lancaster Gate.
• Large events can close sections of the park.

Frequently asked questions