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London Hyde Park chill

Let’s visit London’s largest green spot in the city, London Hyde Park. It is one to spend a chill day out in one of the most happening cities in the world. An exploration we will do.

The green spaces and flower beds in the summer at the London Hyde Park grounds
The green spaces and flower beds in the summer at the London Hyde Park grounds.

Notably, the city park situated in the heart of downtown London is a nice green refuge from the buzzing cosmopolitan city. Furthermore, park was established by Henry VIII in 1536. This was when he took the land from Westminster Abbey and purposed it as a green area for a hunting ground. Today, it sits in approximately 140 hectares on prime London city real estate.

Park fountains in the nicely manicured gardens
Park fountains in the nicely manicured gardens.

Additionally, Hyde park is open all day long and is an open concept park. You enter the park via one of the many gated entrances. Though the gates are more symbolic than a barrier.

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Park map
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Admin building
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Mature trees

Getting to Hyde park

Furthermore, Hyde Park is well served by public tube underground transportation. Additionally, being a sizeable green area, the park is served by a number underground stations like Baywater and Noting hill gate Station on the north west entrances.

Wellington arch entrance at the eastern entrance of the park towards Buckingham Palace by Hyde Park corner
Wellington arch entrance at the eastern entrance of the park towards Buckingham Palace by Hyde Park corner.

Also, Marble Arch tube station and Oxford Street are alternatives if you can coming in from the North Eastern clumberland gate from the Oxford Street shopping alley.

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Marble arch entrance
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Open lawns
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Flowers

Hyde Park Green spaces

The park has it green spaces linked by a number of long flat paved roads comprising of concrete and asphalt. Also, the park is relatively flat, with minimal incline and gradients. Also, it is popular with runners joggers, families and dog walkers.

A long walk across some of Hyde Park vast green spaces
A long walk across some of Hyde Park vast green spaces.

Furthermore, the Serpentine lake is the main water body in Hyde Park. The lake is home to a number of boathouses where you can rent boats and paddle swan boats by the hour. Also, there are also a number of broadside cafes which you can grab a coffee and pastry while enjoying the shining lake views.

The vast Serpentine lake, one of the large inland water bodies in central London
The vast Serpentine lake, one of the large inland water bodies in central London.
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Serpentine lake
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Pier side
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Shady

You could have go at feeding the resident white swans here in Hyde park. You cna find them on the greens with migrating mandarin ducks or, most of the time in the lake. The swans can get aggressive when provoked. Interestingly, it is an untold fact that all the swans here are property and belong to the Queen of England.

Ugly ducklings and mother on the Hyde Park Serpentine lake
Ugly ducklings and mother on the Hyde Park Serpentine lake.

Also, a walk around the park takes about over and hour tops. It allows you to take a breather of fresh air away from the buzzing traffic and underground subways.

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Ducks at lake
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A horde
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By the pier

Moreover, the park is a popular spot for events, art galleries and art exhibition. During my visits it is not uncommon to see artists painting the various green landscape as well as art displays showcasing their works. Speaking of Serpentine lake, the Serpentine gallery is one such art gallery. You can find roaming art displays here in this little hut. Entry is free.

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Serpentine gallery
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Hall
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Chess board

Festive event grounds

Additionally, Performances and live music are mainstay events happening daily in Hyde Park. Also, it is not uncommon to see a packed band schedule with artist performing for park goers in the park lawns.

The park serves a central transport node through the north Kensington and popular with commuters for the lack of cars
The park serves a central transport node through the north Kensington and popular with commuters for the lack of cars.

Additionally, the park is also home to two large fairground greens. Namely the Kensington gardens and the Hyde park parade square. Also, parade ground popular with fairs. Notable large events which happens on the green spaces here annually include the Winter wonderland and Christmas market.

With the latter being a crowd favorite with Christmas food markets, ice skating and traveling European amusement rides. In the summer months, the spot is popular with locals for picnics and a spot to soak up the summer sun during the summer solstice.

The exterior of the Royal Albert Performance Hall
The exterior of the Royal Albert Performance Hall from Hyde Park.

Moving south bound will bring you to the Albert Memorial at the park’s South lawn area. You can also check out the Royal Albert Hall beyond across the road too.

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Peculiar tree
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Albert Memorial
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Royal Albert Hall

Things out of Hyde park

Moreover, when you are done for the day in Hyde Park, the park is situated near several notable attractions in the city. Notably, Hyde Park is also situated within a kilometer to its sister park, Regent park. Also, it is a short kilometer walk away from the Wallace collection museum and Buckingham palace.

Also, if you are a shopping buff, there is Oxford shopping street located on the North Eastern cumberland entrance by Marble Arch. You can find several shopping bargains at Oxford Street, and cheaper than everyday shop price those offered in London high street. Do check for off season sales too.

All in all, London itself is a city ozzing with history and culture. Hyde Park is a good city greenspace and retreat during your adventures in cosmopolitan London, and possibly and adventure itself.

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