As one of the largest parks in London, Hyde Park is popular with both locals and tourists – boasting access to a wide range of accommodation near Hyde Park alongside attractions, public transport links, and endless places to eat and drink.
Once a private hunting ground until the 1630s, Hyde Park is packed full of historical and modern influences, with footpaths connecting the sports fields with the wild flower meadows, patches of lawn, and the central Serpentine lake right in the heart of the park.
The beauty of Hyde Park lies not only in the setting itself but in its direct connection with a range of annual events hosted throughout the year – from the Winter Wonderland festival at Christmas to a collection of music events which run through the summer months and see the hotels near Paddington Station and beyond booked to capacity months in advance.
With all that in mind, here’s our guide to all the best things to do in Hyde Park.
Sports events
There are a number of events which take place in or work their way around the outskirts of Hyde Park – one of the most notable being the Serpentine Swimming event which occurs in the summer and sees swimmers of all abilities jumping into the lake to complete a course laid out by large buoys.
For those looking to get active but in a less intense way, Hyde Park is also a popular spot for runners – with the Park hotel restaurant on the outside of the park a great spot to pick up a well deserved drink after a morning or evening jog.
Book a pitch
Hyde Park is segmented into a number of different outside spaces and areas, some of which are bookable sports pitches including rounders and cricket pitches, football pitches, and more. Visitors can book these for their own private games with family and friends, making the park an interactive spot for celebrations.
Spend time on the lake
The Serpentine isn’t just great for swimming – it also boasts a number of pedalo’s and rowing boasts which can be hired and used to explore the lake’s surface and surrounding banks in the summer months.
Wander the galleries and gardens
For something a little more cultural, why not head from Marble Arch at the North East of Hyde Park, past Speaker’s Corner which is famous for hosting a multitude of speeches overlooked by the Park Avenue Hyde Park hotels, all the way down to the Serpentine Gallery and Kensington Gardens beyond.
One of the reasons why Hyde Park is so popular with visitors and locals is its direct connection to Kensington Gardens, with the Diana memorial fountain and children’s playground interwoven with the ornate green spaces and the memorable rose garden which really comes to life in the summer. Other notable spots to visit include the Holocaust Memorial, Queen Elizabeth gate, the reformers tree, and of course the multitude of surrounding hotspots which include Oxford Street and the Royal Albert Hall to name just two.
Where will your next trip to central London take you? Are you team explore-on-foot or are you drawn towards the convenience of a Boris bike?
