Located near the heart of central London, Hyde Park is one of the most famous parks in the world. With a history that stretches back for centuries in a space that enables everything from boating to tennis to peaceful walks across nature, the park has become more than a simple green space for both residents and tourists. Efforts to create further engagement with these audiences with temporary events like the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and permanent monuments like the Wellington Monument have further enabled Hyde Park to become one of the most notable attractions in London and the most popular of all the Royal Parks.
First Established by Henry VIII in 1536
Covering an area of over 350 acres, Henry VIII established Hyde Park when he took the land from Westminster Abbey in 1536. It was not opened to the public until 1637, but quickly became a popular spot for residents to escape the city and for special events like May Day parades. The full history of the park has seen numerous changes that include a large section of the west side of the park being split off to form Kensington Gardens, the creation of a large lake called the Serpentine and a major makeover in the 1820s.
In addition to attracting residents and visitors for centuries, Hyde Park has also become a habitat for a diverse variety of species of plants and animals. The trees, shrub beds and herbaceous plantings provide rich habitats for song birds including robins and dunnocks. Additionally, a large number of wildfowl reside in the park while animals like a black swan, a buzzard and Egyptian geese have also been spotted in the park.
This diversity extends to the different ways that people have interacted with the space as well. Since the 1800s, Speakers’ Corner has been known as a site for public speeches and debates. Even today, on a Sunday morning, it’s not unusual to find crowds gathering at Speakers’ Corner to listen to enthusiasts expounding their views. Anyone can turn up unannounced to speak on any subject, as long as the police consider their speeches lawful. In recent times, it was the focus of a rally against military action in Iraq.
The many monuments that Hyde Park contains further bolster this variety of activity. These pieces provide visitors with additional attractions that have compelled their visit and enable further engagement.
The Many Monuments and Sculptures of Hyde Park
One of the most notable features of Hyde Park is the grand entrance at Hyde Park Corner that was designed by Decimus Burton in the 1820s makeover of the park. It originally had a statue of the Duke of Wellington on top, and sits near the Wellington Arch located just outside Hyde Park and in between Green Park.
Near the gate is the Wellington Monument, which depicts Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington as the mythical hero Achilles. The head is said to be modeled on the Duke’s and was cast from captured French cannons. It was claimed to be the first public nude statue in London since antiquity.
More recent monuments include the Diana Memorial Fountain that was opened in 2004. The design aims to reflect Diana’s life as water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. As an additional means of engagement, the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a seven-mile-long walk, charted by 90 plaques set in the ground, that takes visits within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life. Plaques of the Walk are located around and through Hyde Park.
Other monuments like Serenity, the Animals in War Memorial, the Memorial to the Cavalry of the Empire and the Huntress Fountain further showcase the variety of sculptures, fountains, plaques and commemorative stones that make up the many monuments of Hyde Park. These pieces have helped the space form an identity that has created powerful economic opportunities that directly and indirectly reflect the culture of London.
Events and Activities in Hyde Park
Hyde Park offers a range of leisure activities from informal games of frisbee through to swimming on The Serpentine and horse riding. Cycling in the park is allowed on all roads and specially designated cycle tracks. This also includes roller-blading, skateboarding, etc. The paths and grass areas in Hyde Park are also used extensively for walking, jogging and running.
Hyde Park features numerous events throughout the year, ranging from walking tours to discovery days to showcases of bushcraft skills. These ongoing community events are in addition to major ones like the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which offers an array of attractions, activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages. Over the years, Hyde Park has also hosted some iconic concerts with musicians that range from The Rolling Stones to Pink Floyd to Pavarotti.
As an additional means of steady economic activity for the park, The Serpentine and the Lido Café and Bar provides the ideal setting to drink and dine. A variety of options including a hearty full English breakfast, freshly filled baguettes or traditional fish and chips are all available for purchase. Additionally, the Lido Café and Bar is licensed for alcohol and serves a selection of specialty coffees and freshly baked cakes.
These permanent and temporary activities have attracted audiences from all across London and compelled the inclusion of Hyde Park on maps and guides to the city of all types. This notoriety has ensured that the legacy of Hyde Park is one that will continue to have a major impact on the present and future of London.
Synonymous with the Legacy of London
Hyde Park is the largest of the Royal Parks and is in many ways the most notable of them. It offers unique events and concerts together along with plenty of quiet places to relax and unwind amidst culturally significant monuments and landmarks. Like other parks that have come to define a city, Hyde Park has become synonymous with London but has done so for many eras of the city to create a legacy that is as much about the past as it is the future.
