The Ultimate Hyde Park Guide

Hyde Park in London

One of London’s most renowned park, the Hyde Park, is almost on every traveler’s itinerary. As deserving as it is, many do not know about its history and how it formed. Let’s begin with a little background story

You can also read: Find Your Zen at Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden

About Hyde Park  

Initially, Hyde Park was a hunting ground owned by King Henry VIII. It was made open to the public in 1637 by King Charles I. After his reign, the park was completely renovated by Queen Caroline in the 1730s, some of its ground works still stand still today. The Queen also constructed The Serpentine, that marks the boundaries of the Kensington gardens and Hyde Park today.

The park is also a favorite spot for picnics as it has vast lush green lands and blooming flora that refreshes the mind, body, and spirit. In-fact Londoners often visit Hyde Park and stay in budget hotels in Kensington for affordable long stays in London. Hyde Park is full of adventure and a nice outing spot for your all-day.

Highlights of the Park

Hyde Park is a place for all. Whether a group of friends, a whole family or a solo soul, everyone can find their sweet spot here.It is also a great picnic place if bring a good company with refreshing snacks!With that being said, the park is packed full of events and activities all year around. Some of them are mentioned below:

Speaker’s Corner

This area catches the attention of almost every single person passing by. This is a traditional spot for speeches and debates since the 1800s. As this is a public park, this spot is open to anyone who may wish to express their thoughts out aloud. Many notable personalities such as George Orwell, Vladimir Lenin, and Karl Marx have shared this space.

The Queen Elizabeth Gate

Taken as the pride of the Hyde Park, the Queen Elizabeth Gate was installed to commemorate the Queen’s 90^th birthday. The gate was designed by Giuseppe Lund who laid out the design of the forged steel in manner that reflected Queen Mother’s admiration for flowers. These gates were officially opened in 1993 by Queen Elizabeth II. If you feel like visiting the royal palace after admiring this beautiful structure, head towards the Westminster end of the park and visit the Buckingham Palace.

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden was opened to the public in 1994, and was designed by architects Moggridge and Colvin. This charming spot of Hyde Park not only has blooming roses but also a variety of other floral species. Visit this spot in the mid-summer to witness the true beauty of the roses. Bring along a picnic basket and enjoy your peaceful time amidst these beautiful creations.

How to Get to Hyde Park

Due to its location, Hyde Park is high accessible by all public transports. You can either travel by train, bus or tubes, getting here is extremely easy. You can get an easy access to Hyde Park from Park City Grand Plaza Kensington via London Tube

By train: London Paddington (10 minutes’ walk-away)

By bus: Almost all buses have a stop here and would cost you a flat rate of £15.5

By tube: One of the fastest ways to get here is the tube. If you’re near the Piccadilly, then hop on to the (blue) line that will drop you off at Knightsbridge or the Hyde Park Corner. Another tube that goes around here is the red line that moves from Central London to Marble Arch Station or Lancaster Gate.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve listed ways to get here, and also pointed out some of the park’s best spots; this place is perfect to visit with your friends and family for a quick getaway.  

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London on a Budget

Visit London on Budget

On a tight budget but want to see London in all its glory? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered! You really don’t have to spend a fortune to have fun in UK’s metropolis with our top ten picks around the city.

You can also read: Find Your Zen at Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden

1.    In the air with Fighter Jets

Flying a fighter jet may be a dream for many but for you, it can actually turn into reality. London's Science Museum provides an opportunity to fly a fighter jet without a license. Experience the thrill of riding a fighter jet from the impressive imitated cockpit and descending from 40,000 feet from the ground. The Typhoon Force simulator takes you on an action-packed flight, demonstrating the aircraft’s skills through UK’s scenic views. Visitors relish the Science Museum due to the immersive experience of technology and science all in one place and often stay in budget hotels near Kensington to save a lot of bucks in transportation and accommodation.

Total spend: £4

2.    Dive into the Renaissance with Shakespeare Globe

Relive the olden time by visiting the Shakespeare Globe located on the bank of the River Thames. The famous site is known for its larger-than-life theatre where the Father of Modern Literature wrote many of his masterpieces. The globe today stands as a monument to Shakespeare and continues his legacy through his plays. Witness the live plays and make memories for life!

Spend: £5

3.    Fly over the Thames

Aerial views make everything prettier? Doesn’t it?Look at London from a different yet breathtaking perspective with this airline cable car. It covers the city's classic tourist spots and is located just 15 minutes from Central London. The mesmerizing view of the golden sun setting and the city turning its lights on for the night is magical and truly a lifetime experience! 

Total spend: £3.50

4.    Experience the Ceremony of Keys

Be part of the 700-Year-Old Ancient ceremony. The Tower of London’s Ceremony of Keys is amongst the oldest surviving enactments. Although the royals may not reside in the towers, the act still holds importance and is carried out daily. And the best part is that this is absolutely free!

Total spend: £0

5.    Adventures of a Big Screen on a Small Budget

South London's PeckhamPlex is a must-visit site if you're up for a movie. This old cinema house has maintained its legacy by keeping intact its original interior and ticket prices. It screens the latest as well as classic old movies for viewers to watch and enjoy at a reasonable price. PeckhamPlex is just few stops away from Park City Grand Plaza Kensington via London tube.

Total spend: £4.99

6.    Glide with Aquatics

Discover the magical underwater world at Horniman Museum's Aquarium. The aquarium showcases aquatics fauna from around the globe. You will not only see the majestic creatures living and moving but will also be able to learn about their interesting lives and fascinating transformation over the years.

Total spend: £2.50 – £4.50

7.    Cozy Up with Indian Food

After an eventful day moving around London, enjoy a hearty meal at the India Club, one of London's first and original curry institutions. Launched in the 1950s the restaurant has maintained its vintage vibe. You can start with warm triangular samosas filled with vegetables and then move on to their most-loved Bhuna Lamb with freshly made naan bread. 

Total spend: £5 - £10

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It’s That Time of the Year Again for London - Wait, Isn’t It Too Early?

December has yet to roll in, but London had already brought in the big guns to celebrate an early festive season! If you feel like advancing your clocks a month ahead as well, the British capital is the perfect place to enjoy the Christmas spirit. Just book a stay at Park Grand Kensington Hotel and peek at the huge variety of attractions they have in store for you.

If you want that pinch of fantasy in your festive season, go to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. From circuses, ice castles, giant forests, medieval villages--even Santa Land!--this storybook-like setting lets you enjoy a world away from the bustling cities. There are also attractions such as UK’s largest ice rink, a rollercoaster, and rides to keep you active and entertained. Open from November 23 to January 6.

Within walking distance of Hyde Park is London’s most famous shop, Harrods, and this mall never cease to go all out when Christmas is coming. Admire the wonderful Christmas decorations while shopping for presents to give to your loved ones. There are also restaurants to stop by if you feel like taking a bite.

Once Christmastime gets near, the area of 7 Dials starts to bloom in lights. Stand in the middle of Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street and absorb all of the beautiful Christmas lights they have put in display. The area of Carnaby also offers a themed display to give the usual decor a bit of spice. Open until January 4.

After all those dynamic attractions, you might want some peace and quiet. Head over to Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland, where they open a captivating winter woodland in the rounds of the Duke of Northumberland’s London home. Take a stroll along the garden paths, where the trees are adorned in lustrous, colorful light, and the crystal-clear lake that reflects the night sky. After that, hunker down and enjoy some barbecue and mulled wine at the Refectory in the Garden Centre. Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 9 to 25.

You can also read: Where to Have Afternoon Tea in London?

The Kew Gardens--which is actually just nearby--also has some colorful sights of its own. The Laser Garden and the Fire Garden provide a unique experience to spice up your holiday experience. They also have a special winter trail filled with thousands of lights to truly make your evening magical. Open from November 22 to January 5.

Even after Christmas, there’s still more events to celebrate the post-holiday season. Lumiere London is a light festival that runs in January where artists both in and out the country revamp the city into a wonderful art exhibition. Watch how creativity turns light into such beautiful works of art in this free event.

Christmas is still far from our reach, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have our fun. London offers many attractions to keep us entertained over the holiday season. To ensure that you will be able to make the most out of your visit, you should consider renting hotels in Central London as this will place you right in the center of the city.

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