What is Hyde Park?
Hyde Park is one of London's largest and most famous royal parks, covering about 142 hectares in the center of the city. It is known for the Serpentine lake, Speakers' Corner and major concerts and events.
Henry VIII acquired the land in 1536 from Westminster Abbey to use as a hunting ground. King Charles I opened it to the public in 1637.
The Serpentine, a long lake created in the 1730s, divides Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens. Visitors can hire boats, swim in the Serpentine Lido in summer or walk along its banks.
Events and memorials
Hyde Park hosts large concerts, including British Summer Time Hyde Park, and Winter Wonderland, a Christmas fair with rides and markets.
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, opened in 2004, is a circular stream where visitors can paddle. The park also has a memorial to the victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings.
In 1851, Hyde Park hosted the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, a huge glass building showcasing inventions from around the world. Today, the park is popular for walking, cycling, horse riding and picnics.