Best for
Families, walkers, anyone wanting a break from central London's streets
Time needed
1–3 hours, longer with boating or a full picnic
Worth it?
Yes — free, central, and one of London's best green spaces
Skip if
You have very limited time and no interest in parks over indoor sights
About Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
Henry VIII seized the land in 1536 as a private royal hunting ground after dissolving Westminster Abbey's monastery, and it remained closed to the public until James I opened limited access in the early 1600s. Charles I opened it fully to the public in 1637, making it one of London's longest-established public green spaces. Kensington Gardens, technically a separate royal park immediately to the west, was carved out in the late 17th century as the private grounds of Kensington Palace before also opening to the public.
Together the two parks cover around 253 hectares, anchored by the Serpentine, an artificial lake created in 1730 where rowing boats, swimming (at the dedicated Lido) and pedalos are all still possible today. Speakers' Corner, in the park's northeast corner near Marble Arch, has hosted public open-air debate and oratory since the 1870s and remains active on Sunday mornings, a genuinely unusual piece of living London tradition.
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The Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, an oval ring of flowing Cornish granite completed in 2004, sits in Hyde Park, while the nearby Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens — themed around Peter Pan, with a large wooden pirate ship — is one of London's most popular free children's play areas. Kensington Palace itself, a working royal residence with public State Apartments, sits at the western edge of the gardens.
Both parks are free and open long hours daily, making them equally suited to a quick stroll between sights or a full afternoon of boating, picnicking and people-watching.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The Serpentine lake, with boating, pedalos and a dedicated swimming Lido
- 2Speakers' Corner, a living tradition of public oratory since the 1870s
- 3The Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
- 4The Diana Memorial Playground's Peter Pan-themed pirate ship
- 5Kensington Palace, a working royal residence at the western edge
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Insider Tips
Visit Speakers' Corner on a Sunday morning to see it at its most active
Rent a rowing boat or pedalo on the Serpentine in warmer months
The Diana Memorial Playground is one of London's best free options for children
Bring a picnic — both parks have plenty of open lawn for relaxing
Kensington Palace requires a separate paid ticket if you want to see the State Apartments
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Getting There
Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Open in Google Maps →- 1Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Knightsbridge or Lancaster Gate (all within a short walk of different park entrances, various lines).
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want a free, relaxed break between central London sights
- You're interested in Speakers' Corner's tradition of public debate
- You're travelling with children who'd enjoy the Diana Memorial Playground
- You enjoy boating, picnicking or simply walking in a large green space
Skip if...
- You have very little time and prioritise indoor museums and landmarks
- You're visiting outside daylight hours when the parks are less appealing
- Parks and green space aren't a priority for your trip
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Buckingham Palace
The monarch's official London residence, watched over daily by the Changing of the Guard, with its lavish State Rooms opening to visitors only during a short summer window.
Kew Gardens
A UNESCO World Heritage botanic garden covering 132 hectares, home to the world's largest plant collection, an 1848 glass-and-iron Palm House, and a treetop walkway through ancient woodland.
Regent's Park & Primrose Hill
A 395-acre royal park designed by John Nash, home to London Zoo and formal rose gardens, with neighbouring Primrose Hill offering one of the city's six protected skyline viewpoints.