Hyde Park

Henry VIII declared the area between Kensington, Knightsbridge, Bayswater and Westminster Abbey as a hunting ground in 1536. At first, the area was used as a hunting forest, but finally, in 1637, the then King James I opened the area to the entire public to increase its popularity with the population.

Duels, executions and carriage rides

The popularity with the population grew rapidly and so the Londoners used the park for promenading, carriage rides or picnics. Duels were fought in secluded corners. In the north-east of Hyde Park, executions took place at the gallows of Tyburn Tree.

Entertainment at the Serpentine

Today, Hyde Park remains a popular destination, with numerous paths accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists. The Rotten Row, is the most famous street that connects the park between east and west. The road had once been laid out as the "Route du Roi", meaning the route of the King. Due to the ignorance of the English towards foreign languages, the population quickly turned the pompous name into "Rotten Row", the name has remained until today.

North of the road is the "Serpentine", the man-made 11 acre lake. At the "Serpentine Lido" guests can take a refreshing bath. If desired, even in winter, because the "Serpentine Club", an institution supporting open-air swimming, also allows swimming between ice floes. The entertainment program near the lake is rounded off by a miniature golf course, a soccer field and a bowling alley.

Speeches at the "Speaker's Corner

Across from Marble Arch, a marble triumphal arch in the north corner of the park, is "Speaker's Corner." The speech place was already established in 1872, and everyone who has something to say can express his opinion here. Lenin and Friedrich Nitzsche are also said to have made themselves heard here.

Numerous sculptures and monuments within the park invite visitors to take a look. Visitors interested in art will find changing exhibitions in the Serpentine Gallery.

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