Published on: 8th June 2023
Hyde Park is one of the top tourist attractions in London. Millions flock to this famous park every year to walk in the beautiful gardens and soak up the British history surrounding the area. Although the park itself is one of the most famous spots in the city, there are also several landmarks surrounding the park that are well worth a visit.
Hyde Park is a central location in the Westminster area of London, making it one of the best places to start off a day of touring the exciting city. It’s an especially great starting point for those of you who are looking to experience London on foot. In this post, we’ll take a look at the surrounding area and list some of the top things to do near Hyde Park, which you can pay a visit to on your next exciting trip to London, and don’t forget you can book your activities effortlessly on Love to Visit too!
Pay a visit to the Marble Arch
When visiting Hyde Park, one of the best underground stations to get off at is Marble Arch. This iconic London landmark was designed in 1827 by architect John Nash. The arch was initially built to serve as the grand entrance to Buckingham Palace during its expansion planning phase. However, this is not the original location of the Marble Arch. It was relocated to its current position in 1851 after initial construction progress was dismantled and moved in 1847. The current location is where the final project ended. Today it’s a popular royal tourist attraction and a great photo opportunity for anyone visiting London.
Cruise the Serpentine Lake on A Peddle Boat
The Serpentine Lake runs down the middle of Hyde Park and into Kensington Gardens. It is a wonderful summer location for families, couples, or solo travellers to soak up some rays and enjoy stunning English scenery. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take a peddle boat out onto the lake and enjoy cruising along the 16-hectare body of water? The Serpentine Lake is man-made, created in 1730 for George II’s wife, Queen Caroline. The name was given to the lake owing to its shape, which resembles a snake, given its long winding form.
See what’s happening at Speaker’s Corner
Speaker’s Corner is located near the Marble Arch and remains one the most famous places where people of any opinion can come and share their thoughts on current affairs. If you’re lucky, you may be able to catch some interesting talks and get to experience some interesting takes on global matters, whether it’s politics, culture, or economics. The site remains a popular site for peaceful demonstrations and protests, and there’s every likelihood you’ll see a crowd gathered, especially on weekends.
Pack a picnic during the summer months
Is there a more English way of enjoying lunch than having a picnic and a cup of tea in the sun during the warm summer? Well, Hyde Park is the perfect place to do it. The park is managed by Royal Parks, meaning the lawns are always beautifully trimmed, the gardens perfectly manicured, and the overall space kept exceptionally clean. This makes Hyde Park one of the best places to relax and have a picnic with friends and family on those lazy weekends we all need once in a while.
Take a stroll through the rose garden
If you’re a gardening enthusiast or simply want to behold something truly beautiful, the rose garden in Hyde Park is definitely worth a visit. Located opposite the Hyde Park Holocaust Memorial and the closest underground station to the landmark is Hyde Park Corner. The Rose Garden is home to 100s of species of roses, and the garden includes a mix of herbaceous plants too. Visitors can also enjoy the relaxing sounds of running water coming from the two fountains that feature in the garden too.
See the Diana Memorial Fountain
The Diana memorial fountain was erected to commemorate the Princess of Wales after her tragic car accident in Paris in 1997. The fountain was designed with Diana’s love of children in mind and is a popular spot for the little ones to paddle in today. The site opened in 2004 and has become an integral landmark for tourists visiting Hyde Park. If you’re in the area, this site is certainly one to tick off your list.
Walk to Kensington Palace
As you make your way through Hyde Park and cross the Serpentine Bridge, you will eventually end up in the gardens of Kensington Palace. The site is one of the Royal Residencies in London and is famous for its perfectly manicured landscapes and impressive architecture. If you’re a fan of the royals and want to escape the bustling crowds of Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace is undoubtedly one to visit during your Hyde Park adventure.
Green Park and Buckingham Palace
Now that you’ve covered most of the landmarks to see in Hyde Park, it’s time to start exploring the surrounding areas. Green Park is located directly opposite the Hyde Park Corner underground station. You can make your way down Constitution Hill into the centre of the park, which boasts beautiful woodlands and lawns. If you keep going through the park, you will end up at Buckingham Palace, which is one of the top sites on any visitor’s to-do list.
Visit the Natural History Museum
If you want to visit the Hyde Park area, but the weather is simply not playing ball, try visiting one of the many museums in the area. The one we can recommend most is the Natural History Museum, located near the southern boundary of Hyde Park. The museum is the perfect place for you to take the kids on a rainy day, as they’ll love the dinosaur exhibition and some of the other family-friendly displays in the museum. Even if you’re travelling on your own or with a significant other, the museum is a great place to learn some exciting facts and kill some time over the course of an afternoon.
Wander around the luxurious Mayfair
Mayfair is one of the most luxurious parts of London, with spectacular shops and stunning restaurants aplenty. The area of London is also home to some of the most magnificent homes and is the rich and famous London playground. Dabble in a high tea at one of the high-end hotels in the area, or try your luck at the Grosvenor Casino. Mayfair is the perfect location near Hyde Park for a leisurely Sunday stroll.
Experience true luxury at Harrods
Harrods is one of the most famous department stores in London, to the extent that it’s become a famous tourist attraction in itself. The food halls alone are something to witness, with the finest ingredients, from caviar and fine cheeses to luxury chocolates. The perfume parlour is a sensory overload, showcasing fragrances from world-famous brands.
On the upper floors, visitors can feast their eyes on clothing and accessories from the globe’s top designers, and who can forget to stop by the iconic toy floor? Located a few streets down from the South of Hyde Park, Harrods is open until late and is an essential stop for those looking to experience London’s finest.
Do a spot of shopping on Bond Street
Bond Street underground station is the tube stop before Marble Arch, making it easily accessible from Hyde Park. The famous shopping strip is home to hundreds of stores all designed to entice passers-by. The famous Disney store is on Bond Street, which the kids will love (and probably some parents too). For anyone looking to have the ultimate London shopping experience, Bond Street is certainly the place to go. Big-name stores, including Chanel, Hermès, Cartier, Jimmy Choo, and Louis Vuitton, all have stores in this London retail hotspot.
In addition to the myriad of attractions near Hyde Park, you can discover the best of London and beyond with Lovetovisit, and let your journey continue to unfold in extraordinary ways. Whether it’s soaring above the city on the iconic London Eye or immersing yourself in captivating theatre productions.
Don’t want to miss out on any of the fun? Don’t worry, you don’t have to. With Lovetovisit, you can book amazing events and activities, from the London Eye to walking tours and theatre experiences. There is something for everyone to enjoy!
