Another of my lovely little summer days out was tied in to a work trip, as again I had to be in London with work for a few days. I always love summer in England as there are hours of daylight pre and post work to explore some little corners of the city. This time, I knew I wanted to take a morning stroll around Hyde Park before starting work, so I got up early and was at the Park gates for 6am. It was surprisingly busy and almost 3 hours later and I’d fallen completely in love with this wonderful place; an oasis in the middle of London.
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Hyde Park Visitor Information
Hyde Park covers 350 acres and is one of London’s Royal Parks. It’s a perfect mix of natural beauty, historical landmarks, recreational activities, and cultural spots. So let me show you around!
Overview
- Location: Central London.
- Opening Hours: 5:00 AM – Midnight, year-round.
- Entry: Free.
- Visit: Early morning or late afternoon on dry days are best for peaceful strolls.
- Tips: Bring a blanket for lounging in the grass, and watch out for cyclists!
- Toilets: Available at several locations, but may charge a small fee (20p).
- Food and Drink: Available in the Park at Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, and The Lodge Café.
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
Getting There
- Tube Stations:
- Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
- Lancaster Gate (Central Line)
- Marble Arch (Central Line)
- Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line)
- Bus Routes: Multiple buses stop around the perimeter.
Things to See in Hyde Park
Getting lost in Hyde Park is a wonderful thing to do. It’s so peaceful and full of relaxing spaces that you really can’t go too wrong – but if you do want to follow a set route, then make sure you take in at least some of the main sights in the Park!
Serpentine Lake
Serpentine lake is a large, picturesque lake in the centre of the park. I always love being close to water, and this was my first stop of the day to just sat here gazing out with a morning juice – there are worse ways to start a day that’s for sure!
You could also choose to rent a pedal boat or rowboat (seasonal, costing around £12/person), swim in the designated Serpentine Lido (seasonal, costing £7.50/person), or take the more relaxing option and sit in the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen with waterside views as I did.
The Rose Garden
The rose garden is one of my favourite spots in the park, located right near Hyde Park Corner. It’s beautifully landscaped, featuring fountains, formal flowerbeds, and sculptures. The smell from the roses in June was just beautiful.
Top Tip: If roses are your thing then visit in June for peak bloom. I timed my visit perfectly and really enjoyed the garden – totally my favourite part of the day!
Italian Gardens
Possibly the best place for stunning photos in Hyde Park, the ornamental Victorian gardens are full of fountains, sculptures, and urns. These gardens are located at the north end of the Long Water (a western extension of the Serpentine).
I really lucked out as when I visited some beautiful baby coot ducklings were swimming in the pools, and I loved the little steps the Park had put in to enable them to climb out.
Speaker’s Corner
Speaker’s corner is a famous spot which has held public debates and speeches since the 1800s. It’s located at the northeast corner near Marble Arch, and is best on Sundays when speakers gather to voice their opinions on anything and everything.
Memorials
There are lots of memorials dotted about the park which are worth finding if you have the time.
- Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain: A unique oval stream fountain designed to reflect Diana’s life.
- Albert Memorial: Commemorates Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.
- The 7 July Memorial: Pays tribute to the 52 lives lost in the 7 July 2005 London bombings. Unveiled on the fourth anniversary of the attacks, 7 July 2009, the memorial stands as a poignant tribute to the victims.
- Holocaust Memorial Garden: Peaceful spot to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
The Serpentine Galleries
There are also two contemporary art galleries on either side of the lake (Serpentine South and Serpentine North). Admission is free and rotating exhibits from world-renowned and emerging artists.
I’m not really an art person and given I was visiting so early in the morning, they weren’t open. I would like to go back and have a little nosey though.
Kensington Palace
One of my favourite spots in the entire park is Kensington Palace, right in the western corner of Hyde Park. This beautiful Royal Palace was the birth place of Queen Victoria, and makes for a great couple of hours to explore.
Entrance cost is expensive at around £20, but it’s interesting to explore the Palace and learn about Victoria’s childhood, as well as see the state apartments and gardens. I have visited twice before, so didn’t go inside this time (and I was probably too early again anyway!)
Serpentine Stephen Waterfall
A little hidden gem spot in Hyde Park is the Serpentine Stephen Waterfall. It sits in the middle of the park, surrounded by meandering waterways and paths. There are also lots of rock sculptures and landscaped gardens to enjoy. I was a bit disappointed that it was locked when I visited so I could only take a peep across the railings!
Top Tip: Combine a visit to Hyde Park with the nearby War Memorials, Green Park and Buckingham Palace to make a full day trip of your visit!
Things to Do in Hyde Park
- Jogging & Walking: Scenic paths, including Rotten Row (a former horse-riding track).
- Cycling: Designated cycle routes across the Park.
- Horse Riding: Book through Hyde Park Stables for a ride along the bridle paths that circle the edge of the Park.
- Swimming and Boating: On the Serpentine Lake.
- Picnicking: Large open meadows perfect for a picnic, especially the area around The Dell and Reformers’ Tree.
- Sports: Tennis courts, a sports field, and even a small pitch for informal football are available!
- Events: Hyde Park often hosts seasonal events, such as:
- Winter Wonderland (Nov–Jan): Massive Christmas Market with food, entertainment, and ice skating. Given the crowds, I personally find it a little less wonderland and more nightmare before Christmas – but each to their own.
- BST Hyde Park (Summer): Major music festival with world-famous performers.
- Open-air yoga, charity walks, and marathons are also common.
And that’s a wrap on beautiful Hyde Park; perfect for a 2.5 hour stroll before work to relax and get some fresh air before a long day behind a computer screen. What do you think of Hyde Park? Would you visit if you were in London? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Stay safe and happy travelling!
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