Hyde Park
350-acre royal park in central London with the Serpentine lake, Speakers' Corner, Diana Memorial Fountain and year-round open access
350-acre royal park in central London with the Serpentine lake, Speakers' Corner, Diana Memorial Fountain and year-round open access
Hyde Park is 350 acres of open parkland, ancient trees and lake water in the dead centre of London — one of the largest urban parks in Europe and a Royal Park since Henry VIII seized it from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536.
Expect rowing boats on the Serpentine, Sunday orators at Speakers' Corner, deckchairs on the Lido lawns, and enough space to lose the city noise entirely. The gates are open every single day of the year.
The Serpentine lake runs through the centre of Hyde Park, created in the 1730s when Queen Caroline ordered the damming of the Westbourne river. Rowing boats and pedalos are for hire from the boathouse on the north bank between April and October.
On the south side, the Serpentine Lido has been a swimming spot since 1930, open from June to mid-September with a sun deck and changing facilities. The water is unheated, so expect bracing temperatures even in summer. The Serpentine Swimming Club, founded in 1864, holds its famous Christmas Day Peter Pan Cup race regardless of conditions.
Speakers' Corner, at the northeast tip near Marble Arch, has been a site for open-air public speaking since 1866. Anyone can bring a stepladder and address the crowd — Karl Marx, George Orwell and Marcus Garvey all spoke here. Sunday mornings remain the liveliest time.
The Diana Memorial Fountain on the south side, designed by Kathryn Gustafson, is an oval stream of Cornish granite opened in 2004 and meant for wading in warm weather. Nearby, the 7 July Memorial commemorates the 52 victims of the 2005 London bombings with 52 stainless-steel pillars. The Serpentine Galleries host rotating contemporary art exhibitions, and each summer a leading architect designs a temporary pavilion on the lawn — a tradition running since 2000.
Hyde Park is one of the few places in London where you can ride a horse in the city centre. The bridleway along the south side, known as Rotten Row, has been in use since the 17th century, and several local stables offer guided rides through the park.
From mid-November to early January, the eastern corner transforms into Winter Wonderland — a Christmas event with ice skating, food stalls and a Bavarian beer hall that draws millions each season. The rest of the year, the open grassland suits everything from football to sunbathing. The park connects directly to Kensington Gardens to the west, doubling the green space to over 600 acres.
The park is free to enter year-round — charges apply only for boats, swimming and some seasonal events
Hyde Park has entrances on all four sides. Check which gate is nearest to what you want to see — Marble Arch for Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park Corner for the war memorials, Lancaster Gate for the Italian Gardens.
The Serpentine Lido gets crowded fast in summer. Arrive when it opens to secure a deckchair and avoid the longest queues at the entrance.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens share a boundary at the Serpentine Bridge. Cross over to see Kensington Palace, the Peter Pan statue and the Italian Gardens in a single walk.
There are cafes in the park but they can be pricey. Pick up a sandwich from a nearby supermarket and eat on the deckchairs or lawns by the Serpentine for free.
Winter Wonderland entry is free but ice skating, the circus and some attractions need advance tickets. Book online as soon as dates are released — popular slots sell out within days.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 28, 2026
