Nearest Stations: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Lancaster Gate, Paddington and Queensway
Entry price: Free
Typical opening hours: 05:00 to 0:00 year-round for Hyde Park. 06:00 to dusk (between 16:15 to 21:45) for Kensington Gardens.
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/
Once Henry VIII’s hunting grounds, today these two green areas combine to make the largest royal park in central London, spanning some 625 acres. Today, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens blend almost seamlessly and offer many things to see and do.
Inside, admire The Serpentine, the largest manmade lake in London, The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, the Diana Memorial Playground, and the Italian Gardens and Fountains in Kensington Gardens. Many statues, fountains and memorials are also dotted around both parks. On the western side of the parks, you will also find the Royal Albert Hall, as well as Kensington Palace.
Art-lovers will be excited to enjoy the Serpentine Galleries and all the gems to view inside – free of charge.
Speakers’ Corner on the northeast corner of the park, and closest to Marble Arch, is also another notable attraction where you can exercise your right of free speech – or see other people doing this every Sunday.
In addition to the stations featured in the description, you can also use Knightsbridge, Lancaster Gate, Paddington and Queensway tube stations to access the parks.