Relaxation in London - Hyde Park Won't Disappoint

If you'd rather stretch your legs in the wide outdoors, neither will London disappoint.  There are eight royal parks in London, each connected to the other, the largest of which is Hyde Park, which is located in Westminster. King Henry VIII confiscated Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey, and enclosed it as a private hunting ground.  Later on, it was opened to the public by King Charles I in 1637.  Kensington Palace lies on the far side of Hyde Park, and William III constructed The King's Private Road - a gravel carriage track that still exists today, though it is now more commonly known as Rotten Row.

Hyde Park covers an area of more than 360 acres (142 ha), and its landscaped terrain boasts several popular sights and attractions including the large artificial lake called the Serpentine, Rotten Row which is now mainly used for horse riding and jogging, and the Speaker's Corner which was a popular meeting place where people were allowed to speak their political or religious views during the riots of 1872.

Later on during the park's history, Decimus Burton was commissioned to bring Hyde Park within the ambit of Buckingham Palace, and for this he laid out a series of paths, driveways, lodges, and a large gate called the Grand Entrance or the Apsley Gate to transition between the park and the palace.  This arch, later called the Marble Arch, was later moved to a different location, and culd now be seen near the Speaker's Corner.

The park also featurs a memorial to Princess Diana, a Holocaust Memorial, and a fine selection of various statues, sculptures scattered across the grounds, including that of the Drinking Horse, the Vroom Vroom, Genghis Khan, Still Water, Achilles, and the Joy of Life Fountain, among others.

Hyde Park is mainly open grassy areas dotted with large trees, but there is an exceptional rose garden located in the southeast corner. A visitor can simplywalk around enjoying the scenery or the marvelous sculpturs and structures in the park, and for a refreshing break, there are two lakeside restaurants which can offer anything from a simple refreshment to a full course meal.  Or, one can engage in one of many recreational activities inside the park such as swimming, boating, cycling, tennis, and horse riding. 

There are regular open air events such as concerts in the park, and some of London's orators can usually be seen at Speaker's Corner on Sundays, expounding expressively on their diverse views and opinions.

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