London Guide
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Seized from the Church by Henry VIII to satisfy his desire for yet more hunting grounds, Hyde Park was first opened to the public by James I, and soon became a fashionable gathering place for the beau monde. Hangings, muggings and duels, the Great Exhibition of 1851 and numerous public events have all taken place in Hyde Park – and it's still a popular gathering point for political demonstrations. Most of the time, however, the park is simply a leisure ground – a wonderful open space which allows you to lose all sight of the city beyond a few persistent tower blocks.
The more tranquil half of the park is known as Kensington Gardens and is, strictly speaking, a separate entity from Hyde Park, though the only difference is that Kensington Gardens is locked at night. More exclusive because of the proximity of royalty at Kensington Palace, the gardens were first opened to the public in George II's reign, but only on Sundays and only to those in formal dress, not including sailors, soldiers or liveried servants. Unrestricted access was only granted in Victoria's reign, by which time, in the view of the Russian ambassador's wife, the park had already been "annexed as a middle-class rendezvous. Good society no longer [went] there except to drown itself.".
Read more ▼
- Sight(s) ▼
- Sports and Outdoor ▼