On the Water

The Serpentine lake is central to many of Hyde Park's best activities. During summer, the Serpentine Lido offers open-water swimming in a roped-off section of the lake, one of the few places in central London where you can swim outdoors. Pedalo and rowing boat hire is available from the boathouse on the northern shore, giving a relaxed way to spend a warm afternoon on the water.

The Serpentine Swimming Club, active since 1864, uses the lake year-round, including their famous Christmas Day race. For less hardy visitors, the summer swimming season typically runs from June to September.

On Land

Cycling and Running

Hyde Park has a network of cycle paths that connect with routes through Kensington Gardens and beyond. The Broad Walk and South Carriage Drive are popular cycling routes, and Santander Cycles docking stations around the park's perimeter make it easy to pick up a bike. Runners favour the loop around the Serpentine, which covers roughly 4 kilometres and is flat, well-surfaced, and scenic.

Horse Riding

Rotten Row, the sandy bridleway that runs east to west across the southern part of the park, has been used for horse riding since the 17th century. Hyde Park Stables offers lessons and accompanied rides along the row. Riding through the centre of London on a route that has been in use for over 300 years is a genuinely unusual experience.

Walking and Gardens

The park rewards simple walking. The Diana Memorial Walk is a seven-mile route through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens that passes many of the key landmarks. The Rose Garden, tucked into the southeastern corner near Hyde Park Corner, is at its best from June to August and is a peaceful spot that many visitors overlook.

Landmarks and Memorials

Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

Opened in 2004, this circular stone water feature in the southern part of the park was designed to reflect Diana's life. Water flows in two directions from the highest point, meeting at a calm pool at the bottom. It is designed for people to sit beside and paddle in during warmer months, making it popular with families.

Speakers' Corner

Near Marble Arch in the northeast corner, this traditional free speech area has hosted public debate since 1872. Sunday mornings are the best time to visit, when speakers address crowds on every imaginable topic.

The 7 July Memorial

In the eastern section of the park, 52 stainless steel pillars stand grouped by the four locations of the 2005 London bombings. Each pillar represents one of the 52 people who lost their lives. It is a quiet, contemplative space.

Art and Culture

The Serpentine Gallery and Serpentine North Gallery host rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, free to enter. Each summer, the Serpentine commissions a temporary pavilion designed by a leading international architect, which becomes an attraction in its own right.

By Season

Spring brings daffodils, blossom, and nesting birds along the Serpentine. Summer is the peak season for swimming, boating, and outdoor events, with long evenings perfect for picnics. Autumn turns the park's mature trees to rich copper and gold, making it one of the best places in London for seasonal colour. Winter brings the Christmas season with Winter Wonderland, frosty morning walks, and the hardy swimmers of the Serpentine Swimming Club.