Together with Kensington Gardens to the west, the park forms a large continuous green area in the centre of London. Hyde Park hosts major events throughout the year, including the BST Hyde Park summer concert series and Winter Wonderland during the festive season. The park is free to enter and open daily.
Things to Do in Hyde Park
Hyde Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors. The main things to do include walking or cycling along the paths around the Serpentine, boating on the lake in summer, visiting the Diana Memorial Fountain, swimming at the Serpentine Lido, seeing exhibitions at the Serpentine Galleries, and relaxing on the open lawns.
The park has several cafés and restaurants, a children's playground, and designated areas for sports and horse riding along the historic Rotten Row. Speakers' Corner near Marble Arch is still used for public speeches and debate, particularly at weekends.
Hyde Park is also a major events venue. BST Hyde Park brings international artists to the park each summer, and Winter Wonderland takes over the eastern section from November to early January.
The Serpentine
The Serpentine is Hyde Park's central lake, created in the 1730s when Queen Caroline ordered the damming of the River Westbourne. The lake divides Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens, and its banks are lined with walking paths popular with joggers, walkers and cyclists.
Serpentine Bridge connects the walking routes of the two parks and offers views in both directions along the water. Pedal boats and rowing boats can be hired from the Serpentine Boathouse during the summer season. Boating on the Serpentine is one of the park's most popular activities, and there are sometimes queues for boats. It’s worth the wait, though, especially on a nice summer day.
Boats can be hired for 30 or 60 minutes. A 30-minute boat hire costs from £6.90 off-peak or £10.50 at peak times for adults, and from £3.35 or £4.85 for children aged 3–15. A 60-minute hire costs from £9.05 off-peak or £13.25 peak for adults, and from £5.25 or £6.60 for children. Children under 3 go free. Off-peak pricing applies from 10 am to 12 pm. There are also family and concession prices. For full details, check the pricing table on the official website.
The Serpentine Lido, on the south side of the lake, is an outdoor swimming area open during the summer months (open on weekends in May, daily from June to mid-September). The lido has a swimming area, sun loungers, and a café right next to the lake, which is a lovely place for a break, whether you’re planning to swim or not. The Serpentine Swimming Club uses the lido year-round, including for its famous Christmas Day swim.
Diana Memorial Fountain
The Diana Memorial Fountain was opened in 2004 in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. Water flows through a circular granite structure, running both uphill and downhill before collecting in a calm pool at the base. The fountain was designed by the American landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson.
The fountain is located between the Serpentine and Kensington Gardens. Visitors are welcome to sit on the edge and dip their feet in the water during warmer months, and it’s especially popular for families with Children.
Nearby is the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, a large adventure playground inspired by the stories of Peter Pan. The playground is one of London's most popular play areas for children. However, it is currently under renovation and will reopen for the summer of 2026.
Speakers' Corner
Speakers' Corner is located near Marble Arch at the north-east corner of Hyde Park. The site has been associated with public speaking and open debate since the 1860s and is one of the oldest free-speech locations in London.
Anyone can stand up and speak on any topic at Speakers' Corner, and speeches and discussions still take place, particularly on Sunday mornings. The tradition has attracted notable speakers over the years, including George Orwell.
Hyde Park History
The history of Hyde Park dates back to 1536, when King Henry VIII took the area from Westminster Abbey and added it to the royal hunting grounds. The park was opened to the public in 1637 during the reign of King Charles I and gradually developed into a public park.
In the 1730s, Queen Caroline carried out major landscaping works, during which the Serpentine lake was created by damming the River Westbourne.
In 1851, Hyde Park hosted the Great Exhibition, the first world's fair. For the event, the Crystal Palace, a remarkable structure of glass and iron, was constructed in the park. The building was later moved to Sydenham in south London and destroyed by fire in 1936.
The park has been used for public gatherings and demonstrations throughout its history, from Chartist rallies in the 1840s to the Suffragette movement in the early 20th century.
Serpentine Galleries
The Serpentine Galleries are one of London's best-known venues for contemporary art. Located between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the galleries host changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art throughout the year. This year, the Serpentine North Gallery hosts a major David Hockney exhibition from March to August.
Each summer, the Serpentine commissions a leading architect to design a temporary pavilion on the gallery lawn. The pavilion programme has featured architects including Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Oscar Niemeyer, and the structure is open to the public for several months.
Hyde Park Concerts and Events
Hyde Park is one of London's major outdoor event venues. BST Hyde Park (British Summer Time) is an annual concert series held in the park over three weekends, starting with the last weekend in June (dates vary each year), featuring major international artists. This year’s headliners are Garth Brooks, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi. Detailed information is available on the official website, and tickets can be purchased on ticketing websites.
Winter Wonderland takes over the eastern section of the park from mid-November to early January. The event includes a Christmas market, fairground rides, an ice rink, circus shows, and food and drink stalls. Entry to Winter Wonderland is free, though individual rides and attractions require tickets.
The park also hosts other events throughout the year, including running events, charity walks and seasonal festivals.
Hyde Park Cafés and Restaurants
Hyde Park has several cafés and restaurants within the park. The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen is located on the eastern shore of the Serpentine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with views over the lake. The Lido Café sits beside the Serpentine Lido in the south of the park.
Other refreshment points include the Magazine Restaurant near the Serpentine Gallery, and mobile kiosks and ice cream vans located throughout the park during warmer months.
Rotten Row and Horse Riding
Rotten Row runs through the southern part of Hyde Park. The bridleway was created in the late 17th century by King William III as a riding route between Kensington Palace and St James's Palace and was one of the first artificially lit roads in England.
The name is thought to derive from the French Route du Roi ("King's Road"). In the 18th and 19th centuries, Rotten Row was the fashionable place to ride and be seen in London. Horse riding is still permitted along the route, and riding stables near the park offer lessons and escorted rides.
Hyde Park Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is located in the south-eastern part of the park, close to Hyde Park Corner. The garden features several varieties of roses and other ornamental plants and is at its best from June to September.
Nature and Wildlife in Hyde Park
Hyde Park has wide-open lawns, mature tree groups, and water areas. Around the Serpentine, visitors can see ducks, geese, swans and herons. Grey squirrels are common throughout the park.
The park's tree stock includes many old specimens, some dating back to the 19th century, with oaks, London plane trees and lime trees among the most common species.
Hyde Park Opening Times
Hyde Park is open daily from 5 am to midnight throughout the year. Entry is free. Individual facilities within the park (the Lido, boating, cafés, galleries) have their own opening hours which vary by season. You can find detailed information on the Royal Parks website.
