8 places to see in Hyde Park - an hour-long walk through London’s most famous park (free Hyde Park walking tour)
Distance to cover: 3 miles (4.8km)
If you click on the map, a new window will open for live navigation in the field.
Hyde Park opening hours: 5 am to 12 am. Access to Hyde Park is free of charge.
Hyde Park is one of 8 Royal Parks in the UK capital and one of the most famous parks in London.
The Royal Parks in London (Hyde Park, St James's Park, Regents Park, Green Park, Kensington Gardens, Greenwich, Richmond and Bushy Park) arose from lands taken from monasteries by King Henry VIII after his famous split with the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century.
This massive green space (350 acres, 140 ha) is full of art and history, and with its countless walkways could be tricky to navigate.
Therefore, I have prepared for you a walk around 8 things you don't want to miss when strolling through Hyde Park.
In addition to the eye-pleasing greenery and a large number of interesting sculptures, you will also find here many interesting stories related to Hyde Park.
I hope you will enjoy the read and the walk!
8 INTERESTING PLACES TO SEE IN HYDE PARK
Apsley Gate - one of the first places in the world to be ever filmed
Hyde Park, with its rich history, is famous for many things.
Apsley Gate, London (2022). Photography: An/WalkMeBlog.
Did you know that one of the first-ever movie sets in the world was located in Hyde Park?
Here, near the Apsley Gate (located near Hyde Park Corner tube station), photographer William Friese-Greene* made his initial attempts (in 1888) at using his new (at the time) invention of the chronophotographic camera.
He initially took a few photographs of Apsley Gate and used them to make his first-ever movie!
* William Friese-Greene was a British inventor, by many credited with the invention of cinematography
Unfortunately, the 1888 footage of Apsley Gate has not survived the test of time.
However, there is an existing record of the silent film from 1889 (also by William Friese-Greene) picturing the nearby part of Hyde Park, the Marble Arch.
You are probably curious now, what was the very first place ever filmed? The answer to that question is a private garden of Oakwood Grange in Leeds. It was filmed by Louis Le Prince also in 1888.
2. The first nude statue in London - the (talking) statue of Achilles
A few steps away from the Hyde Park Corner tube station, you can find the statue of Achilles.
The statue of Achilles in Hyde Park, London (2022). Photography: Ann/WalkMeBlog.
This is the first statue ever erected in Hyde Park and it is dedicated to the 1st Duke of Wellington.
But this statue has one more claim to fame.
The monument happens to be the first nude statue ever installed in London.
But if you visit the statue, you will probably notice that Achilles is not naked now.
Thanks to the outrage caused by people who commissioned the art (Ladies of England), a fig leaf was applied quickly after the installation of the sculpture.
There have been at least two attempts at its removal: one in 1870 and one in 1961. But it seems like Londoners are settled now to keep the problematic parts of this Greek hero (with the 1st Duke of Wellington's face) covered.
The Statue of Achilles in Hyde Park is also a part of the Talking Statues art scheme. If you have a phone on you with data, you can receive a phone call from this monument.
You can read more about that here.
3. Rotten Row- the first road in England to be lit at night
Rotten Row is a route in the south part of Hyde Park, running between Apsley gate and Kensington Gardens.
In the 17th century, this long and picturesque street was often used to transport precious cargo between Kensington Gardens and Whitehall.
And at night, it was attracting a lot of (unwanted) attention from highwaymen (thieves on horses).
In an attempt to improve the safety of travelers using the Rotten Row at night, in 1690, William III (the King!) ordered 300 oil lamps to be lit on the branches of the trees along the Rotten Row.
The sign commemorating the 300th anniversary of the creation of Rotten Row (2022). You can find it near the Rose Garden. Photography: Ann/WalkMeBlog.
By bringing more light, the King was hoping to discourage at least some of the sinister characters so active on the dangerous streets of 17th century Hyde Park.
This unusual (at the time) solution only slightly improved the situation but made the Rotten Row the first in England street to be lit at night!
And more streets followed shortly after.
4. The most elegant memorial in London - Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park
Prince Diana was one of the most famous residents of Kensington Palace.
And she was fond of Hyde Park and nearby Kensington Gardens.
No wonder two of these Royal Parks are full of spots commemorating the Queen of Hearts.
One of them is a fountain in the shape of a necklace located on the southwest side of Hyde Park, just by the Serpentine Bridge.
Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, London (2022). Photography: An/WalkMeBlog.
The necklace shape reflects the glamourous style of this much-loved member of the Royal Family.
The three bridges leading to the center of the monument symbolizes her openness.
Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park is a symbolic and beautiful tribute to the late Princess and a convenient spot for a break during this walk.
5. The biggest bird statue in London - the (talking) statue of Serenity
Near Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, you can find a sculpture of a bird, called Serenity.
The monument represents the Egyptian goddess of nature.
Its green color perfectly matches the park's surroundings.
The statue of Serenity in Hyde Park, London (2022). Photography: An/WalkMeBlog.
The nearby benches and closeness of the lake make it an another great spot to relax.
The Serenity is an another statue included in the Talking Statues art scheme.
6. The oldest Victorian Pet Cemetery in Britain - Hyde Park Pet Cemetery
The Hyde Park Victorian Pet Cemetery (the first pet cemetery of Britain!) is one of those places you could pass a thousand times and do not realize that the place is there.
Over 400 (very cute!) tiny gravestones of animals are well-hidden in the northwest corner of the Park, located just by Victoria Gate and not far from Lancaster Gate Tube Station.
Unfortunately, the chance to see this delightful place does not come often.
The cemetery is usually open to the public once a month. You can check the Royal Parks website for updates on new opening dates.
The good news is that you can see this secret little place online.
Thankfully to Covid-19 and lockdowns, the Royal Park Charity made an hour-long virtual tour of this hidden gem of Hyde Park.
Apart from seeing this charming little place, you can also hear a few stories about the pets buried there. And learn one of two things about the archelogy of... emotions!
7. The monument of the TREE - The Reformer's Tree in Hyde Park
Reformer’s Tree is a circular mosaic (interestingly) located at the junction of 10 different footpaths in Hyde Park, not far from the Old Police House. And it symbolizes the revolutionary past of Hyde Park.
Reformer’s Tree in Hyde Park, London (2022). Photography: Ann/WalkMeBlog.
The monument commemorates a tree that stood near this location 150 years ago. The tree burned down during the riots in 1866 when 200 thousand protesters stormed the Hyde Park when campaigning for the all adult men's right to vote*.
*50 years after this event, majority of men fighting during the WWI still did not have a right to vote!
After the riots, the stump of this tree (the only part of it which survived) became a symbolic rallying spot.
And people started gathering there during the future protests*.
*Including the Suffragettes fighting for the women’s right to vote at the beginning of the 20th century.
This significant event took place about 8 years before the Parliament made public speaking legal in Hyde Park in the Speakers’ Corner (more about that in a sec).
Reformers Tree is an important symbol of the fight for the right to people to assembly and for political equality. And a must-see spot in Hyde Park!
8. “There is no truth- only human opinions” - Speakers’ Corner
Warning: Visiting this part of Hyde Park on Sunday might significantly alter your views!
What is the Speakers' Corner?
Speakers' Corner is a piece of ground in Hyde Park dedicated to the freedom of speech.
Located only steps away from Marble Arch and (more significantly) near the Tyburn Tree.
From the 12th to the 18th century, the Tyburn Tree was the site of public executions.
At Tyburn Tree, the criminals had the right to make a speech before their executions.
Considering how little was left to lose, they could speak their mind on any subject, often challenging in their final words the status quo.
Today, the infamous landmark is celebrated (rather modestly) with a paving plague at the junction of Bayswater Road and Edgware Road, and the majority of Londoners passing it are usually blissfully unaware of it.
The paving sign marking the Tyburn Tree location, near Marble Arch, London (2022). Photography: Ann/WalkMeBlog.
The last public execution in this spot took place (coincidently?) around 1872 when the Parliament (mobilized by a few decades of riots) dedicated the northeast part of Hyde Park for public speaking.
And this is how the Speakers' Corner came about. And freedom of speech in Hyde Park was born.
Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, London (2022). Photography: Ann/WalkMeBlog.
Since then, anyone could come to this part of Hyde Park to share their views on any given subject (as controversial as they might be*) with the public.
*As you probably expect, there are some limits to that, and theoretically, police can intervene, but it rarely happens
Among the most famous speakers ever trying their oral skills here were Karl Marx, (speaking in English but with an Irish accent!*) Vladimir Lenin , and George Orwell.
*He learned English from Irishman
Today, on Sunday morning, you can still meet in this place passionate skilled orators airing their usually controversial views to the public.
The topics? Politics, (all) Gods, aliens, wars, animal rights, aging.
Everything, really.
I recommend you watch the 2009 documentary about this place by Gavin White and Duncan Walsh, You Have The Right To Remain Vocal (you can find the link here or click on the video below).
You might also enjoy seeing a fascinating collection of over 300 black&white portraits of speakers taking the stand in Hyde Park over the years (you can find the link here).
I encourage you to visit this spot on Sunday and witness these free (and often entertaining) spectacles.
A thought-provoking experience!
Speaker’s Corner is the last point on this walk. That makes the nearby Marble Arch Tube Station your most likely transport link to get you home.
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