The A-Z of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
The Bandstand in Hyde Park This bandstand in Hyde Park built in 1869 and located near the Serpentine Road, is one of the oldest bandstands in Britain.
Boy and Dolphin Fountain The Boy and Dolphin Fountain in the Rose Garden was made in 1862 and features a marble sculpture of a cherub and dolphin.
British Summer Time Festival This is a music festival held over two weekends once a year, usually in June or July. Kensington Palace A royal residence set in Kensington Freeman Family Gardens, the parkland area to the west Drinking Fountain of Hyde Park. It has been a residence The Freeman Family Drinking of the British Royal Family since Fountain is a public drinking fountain the 17th century, and is currently located near Cumberland Gate. the official London residence of the Designed by David Harber, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, fountain is a sphere made from mirror- the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, polished, marine grade stainless steel. the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent The Huntress fountain The Huntress Fountain, located The LookOut in the Rose Garden, features a Hyde Park is a unique, eco-friendly bronze figure of Diana, the goddess building nestled in an acre of enclosed of hunting, shooting an arrow. grounds in the heart of the park. The LookOut enables people of all ages, abilities and communities to escape Top: Hyde Park. Middle: Joy of Life Fountain. Joy of Life fountain Bottom: The Huntress Fountain the hustle and bustle of the city. The Joy of Life fountain, designed by T. B. Huxley-Jones, depicts two bronze figures holding hands Dorchester Ride Speakers Corner. The Dorchester while appearing to dance above the Running parallel to Park Lane, Ride was officially opened by His water, with four bronze children spot horses on Dorchester Ride Royal Highness Prince Michael emerging from the pool. linking Hyde Park Corner and of Kent GCVO on horseback. Pan statue The Pan statue depicts a family and their dog rushing eagerly towards the park, urged on by Pan. Designed in 1961 by Sir Jacob Epstein, it is located by Edinburgh Gate on the south side of the park. Serpentine galleries Free contemporary art gallery in The Reformers’ tree London’s Kensington gardens with a year-round programme The Reformers’ Tree was an oak tree taking place across two galleries, which became the focus of protests in 1866 by the Reform League, a group campaigning to give all adult South Carriage Drive men the right to vote. During one Playground protest the Reformers’ Tree was set The South Carriage Drive Playground alight and the charred stump of the is an exciting and adventurous tree became a notice board, a rallying play space that sits on the southern point for meetings and a symbol of boundary of Hyde Park. Suitable the right of the people to assemble. for children up to the age of 12.
Statue of Achilles The 18ft statue of Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War, commemorates the soldier and politician, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. The first statue in Hyde Park and unveiled in 1822.
Winter Wonderland Hyde Park is home of Winter Wonderland, a large annual Christmas event held from mid-November to early January. It features several festive markets, over 100 rides and The Rose garden Speakers’ Corner attractions from across Europe, a A spectacular garden featuring rose A traditional site for public speeches Giant Wheel, numerous live shows, a planting mixed with herbaceous and debates since the mid 1800’s circus, ice show and live music, as well planting to create rich seasonal when protests and demonstrations as numerous bars and restaurants. flower beds and strong scents. took place in Hyde Park. Located Located in the south east corner on the north-east edge of Hyde of Hyde Park, south of Serpentine Park, nearest Marble Arch and Road near Hyde Park Corner. Oxford Street. Historic figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell were known to Serenity often use the area to demonstrate Serenity is a magnificent bronze free speech. Sunday is particularly sculpture designed by British popular day when crowds gather. sculptor Simon Gudgeon, inspired by the Egyptian goddess of nature. Left: Queen Elizabeth Gate detail. Above: Statue of Achilles. The design aims to reflect Diana’s Norwegian War Memorial life, water flows from the highest The Norwegian Navy and Merchant point in two directions as it cascades, Fleet presented this large granite swirls and bubbles before meeting boulder in 1978 as thanks for British in a calm pool at the bottom. support during World War 2.
Holocaust Memorial Queen Caroline Memorial The Holocaust Memorial is a This memorial is to Queen Caroline, garden of boulders surrounded the wife of King George II, who from by white-stemmed birch trees, 1726-1730 created the Serpentine located to the east of The Dell. in Hyde Park and the Long It was Britain’s first memorial to Water in Kensington Gardens. the victims of the Holocaust.
Memorials
Cavalry Memorial The Cavalry Memorial is a bronze sculpture which represents St George on horseback stepping over a defeated dragon. The memorial it commemorates the service of cavalry regiments in the First and Second World Wars.
Animals in War Memorial This memorial, located on Park Lane, is a tribute to all the animals that served, suffered and died alongside the British, Commonwealth and Allied forces in the wars and conflicts of the 20th century.
The Diana, Princess of Wales The Hudson Memorial Albert Memorial Memorial Walk Bird Sanctuary The Albert Memorial is located The Diana Princess of Wales The Hudson Memorial Bird in Kensington Gardens on Albert Memorial Walk is a seven-mile- Sanctuary is a carved stone memorial Memorial Road opposite the Royal long walk, charted by 90 plaques commemorating the 19th century Albert Hall. It is one of London’s most set in the ground that takes you writer and naturalist, William Hudson. ornate monuments. It commemorates within sight of famous buildings the death of Prince Albert in 1861. and locations associated with the Princess during her life. Memorial – 7/7 A permanent memorial to honour the victims of the July 7, 2005 Diana Memorial fountain London Bombings was unveiled This unique Memorial to Diana, in Hyde Park by Their Royal
Princess of Wales was opened by Highnesses, The Prince of Wales Left: Cavarly Memorial. HM The Queen on July 6, 2004. and The Duchess of Cornwall. Above: Albert Memorial. Sports at Hyde Park
Bluebird Boats Rowing and pedal boats are available to hire on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. You can also take a ride on the UK’s first SolarShuttle, powered only by the sun. Putting Serpentine lido At Will to Win Hyde Park, just south of Although currently closed due Bowling Green the Serpentine, they offer pay & play to Covid, usually there is daily At Will to Win Hyde Park, just south on a nine-hole putting green. There is public swimming available in The of the Serpentine, they offer a six- also a café for players and spectators. Serpentine from June - September. rink bowling green. There is also Serpentine Swimming Club a café for players and spectators. swims every day, including the Horse riding famous race on Christmas day. Hyde Park Stables at Bathurst Mews Football pitches in Hyde Park offers adults and children semi- The Old Football Pitches located private and private horse rides, all Tennis on the south side of Hyde Park are year round. They have a specialist At Will to Win Hyde Park, just available to hire through the Will horse riding arena or manege, as well south of the Serpentine, they offer to Win Tennis and Sports Centre. as two designated routes for horse pay & play for six newly surfaced riding (North Ride and South Ride). floodlit tennis. There is also a café for players and spectators. Jogging Ask our Concierge Desk for the Hyde Park senior playground jogging map where we have The Hyde Park Senior Playground suggested three routes within includes six pieces of exercise Hyde Park of 1 mile (1.6km), 2 miles equipment to help users improve core Top: View over Hyde Park from The Dorchester. (3.2km) and 3 miles (4.82km). strength, flexibility and balance. Above: Hyde Park Stables. Casual lunch spots
The Italian Gardens Café Located on the north side of Kensington Gardens with a great view of the 150-year old ornamental Italian Gardens.
Cafés The Lido Bar and Café With stunning views along The Serpentine and a large alfresco Serpentine Coffee House dining area, The Serpentine Lido Coffees and ice cream. Café is a great place to enjoy great Limited seating. food and watch the world go by.
Will To Win Sports Centre Café Serpentine Bar and Kitchen The café at the Hyde Park Sports The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen Centre is a warm and welcoming serves a wide variety of tasty hot space that offers a wide selection meals and snacks, freshly prepared of hot and cold food along with sandwiches and salads, a daily selection Top: View over Hyde Park. ice cream, confectionery, cold of cakes and puddings from the bakery Above: Swans on The Serpentine. drinks, artisan coffee and teas. and hot and cold drinks from the bar.