Hyde Park and London's Royal Parks: A Visitor's Guide

Hyde Park, in the heart of London, is regularly rated by visitors as one of the best parks in the UK. Together with neighbouring Kensington Gardens it covers around 350 acres of lawns, lakes, woodland and gardens, where you can row a boat, picnic, cycle, swim in summer and spot the famously friendly grey squirrels – all a few minutes' walk from Oxford Street, Knightsbridge and Kensington.

Hyde Park is one of eight Royal Parks in London, once the private hunting grounds of kings and queens and now free for everyone to enjoy. This guide covers the best things to do in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, London's other Royal Parks and practical tips for your visit.

Hyde Park at a glance

1. The Serpentine

The Serpentine, the long lake that divides Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens, is the park's centrepiece. Hire a rowing boat or pedalo from the boathouse in season, or swim at the Serpentine Lido in summer. The Serpentine Galleries, two contemporary art spaces, have free exhibitions and an annual summer pavilion designed by a leading architect.

Rowing boats and pedalos drift across the lake, swans glide by and brave swimmers plunge in from the lido – squirrels watch hopefully for snacks along the path.

2. Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace

West of the Serpentine, Kensington Gardens are more formal, with the Italian Gardens and their fountains, the Peter Pan statue, the Round Pond and the gilded Albert Memorial opposite the Royal Albert Hall. Kensington Palace, birthplace of Queen Victoria and a royal residence today, has state rooms open to visitors and beautiful sunken gardens. The Diana Memorial Playground, with its pirate ship, is a favourite with young children.

Formal flower beds, the golden Albert Memorial and the Sunken Garden, with the palace glowing in the evening light.

3. Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain

A gently flowing ring of granite water channels near the Serpentine, designed so visitors can sit on the edge and cool their feet on hot days. The Diana Memorial Walk, marked by plaques in the ground, links sites associated with the princess across several Royal Parks.

Water ripples and tumbles along a ring of granite, and children paddle their feet in the shallow stream on summer days.

4. Speakers' Corner

Near Marble Arch, Speakers' Corner has been a traditional spot for public debate since the 19th century – anyone can stand up and speak on any subject, usually on Sunday mornings. It's free entertainment and a slice of London history.

On Sunday mornings, people stand on boxes and speak their minds, while small crowds listen, heckle and laugh.

5. Cycling and riding

Santander Cycles docking stations surround the park, and there are dedicated cycle paths, including along the edge of Rotten Row – the historic sandy riding track where the Household Cavalry exercise their horses in the early morning. Horse riding is available from nearby stables.

Horses trot along Rotten Row, cyclists glide past on the wide paths and the plane trees provide shade.

6. Winter Wonderland

From November to early January, Hyde Park hosts Winter Wonderland, a huge Christmas event with fairground rides, markets, an ice rink, circus shows and food stalls. Entry may require timed tickets at busy times, and rides cost extra. See our guide to London's Christmas markets.

The smell of mulled wine, the lights of the big wheel and the screams from the rides – the park becomes a festive funfair.

7. London's other Royal Parks

Regent's Park has Queen Mary's Gardens, with thousands of roses in early summer, an open-air theatre and London Zoo. St James's Park, beside Buckingham Palace, has pelicans fed daily and a lovely view from its bridge. Greenwich Park has sweeping views over the city from the Royal Observatory. Richmond Park, the largest, is home to hundreds of free-roaming red and fallow deer.

Deer roam in Richmond Park, pelicans are fed in St James's Park and the view from Greenwich Park takes in the whole city.

Tips

• Pack a picnic: there are cafés, but picnics on the grass are a London tradition.
• Don't feed the wildlife: squirrels and birds are tame, but feeding them is discouraged.
• Keep your distance from deer in Richmond and Bushy parks, especially during the autumn rut and spring birthing season.
• Check events: big concerts and events in Hyde Park can close areas of the park in summer.
• Visit early: early mornings are peaceful, with joggers, riders and mist over the Serpentine.