Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

A Royal Park Of About 350 Acres Opened To The Public In 1637, With The Serpentine Lake For Swimming And Boating, Speakers' Corner, The Diana Memorial Fountain And The Albert Memorial, Joined To Kensington Gardens And Kensington Palace. Free To Enter. · London, England

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens together make a green block of about 350 acres in the middle of London, joined by the Serpentine lake and separated only by a road. Hyde Park was opened to the public in 1637, and today it is free to enter, mostly flat and used by joggers, cyclists, boaters and office workers. Highlights include the Serpentine lido, the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Albert Memorial and Speakers' Corner near Marble Arch, where anyone can argue on a Sunday. Kensington Gardens, to the west, is calmer and sits beside Kensington Palace. It suits first-time visitors who want a break from the museums, families, and anyone staying nearby. It is not wilderness: roads, crowds and events are part of the deal. Allow 1-3 hours for a walk, longer if you add the lake or a gallery. Winter Wonderland takes over a large part of the park in winter and is crowded and paid. Pickpockets work the busy corners, so keep bags zipped.

Central London's largest park, between Park Lane and Kensington Palace, with the Serpentine lake, Speakers' Corner at Marble Arch, the Diana Memorial Fountain and Kensington Gardens to the west, London, England, United Kingdom

The park is free and in practice open for pedestrians from very early morning until late at night, but exact gate times vary by season and can differ for vehicles, so confirm with the Royal Parks. Kensington Gardens usually closes at dusk, earlier than Hyde Park in winter. The Serpentine Lido runs a short summer season, commonly May to September, with a charge and set swim sessions - confirm dates and prices. Boat hire, cafes and the Diana Memorial Fountain follow daytime hours. Concerts, festivals and Winter Wonderland (roughly late November to early January) close or fence off parts of the park, so check event dates before you go.

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