 Hyde Park and Serpentine lake 
Hyde Park - Pure Tranquility
Recommendation added: 08/11/2006 21:12
By: velvet202 (YSUK rating +187)velvet202 has been thanked 5 times for this contribution
"Situated in the heart of London with heavy traffic around you, there is a piece of nature to saunter around the lake, enjoy a picnic with the kids, or simply wonder at the many eccentric figures and listen to heated debates. In no other city will you find a recreational area as diverse and exciting as Hyde Park, one of the Royal Parks of London.
With 1.4m2, Hyde Park is London's largest park that is free for all members of the public. Opened in the early 16th century, it has always served as an area of recreation and intellectual stimulation. As a sign of democracy and the right to free speech, everyone is invited to join in the conversations and exchange of viewpoints at Speaker's Corner. The topics usually cover politics, but also moral topics and social affairs. This part of Hyde Park is probably less known to tourists but many a famous person such as Lenin and Karl Marx has been here to speak to whoever wants to listen.
Marble Arch is a major tourist attraction in Hyde Park, which is an imposing gate built of white Carrara marble and a replica of the Triumphal Arch of Constantine in Rome. Nowadays, the gate is always locked and only members of the Royal family are allowed the privilege to pass through it. The walls have three extinguished statues, of which Minerva, the goddess of Arts, is the most impressive.
In the middle of the park, right next to Rotten Row – London's only public horse riding track – you will find Serpentine Lake with its clear and clean water. For a small charge, visitors can rent a boat, go sailing or even swim on a sunny day. Twice a day, visitors can admire the Household Cavalry exercising their horses on their way back from Buckingham Palace. A nearby attraction is the Albert Memorial, which is a statue of Prince Albert.
Hyde Park has also been host to many free gigs of international pop and rock stars such as Bon Jovi and The Rolling Stars. Many celebrities live nearby, and in the early morning hours it is not unusual to see an Emmerdale actor or a model jogging or doing their Pilates routine while being photographed by a paparazzo.
The Lido Café is situated near the lake and provides excellent Italian cappuccino and cake, as well as a cool beer, together with a stunning view of the lake. You will find many aspiring authors sitting here for hours while scribbling in their notebooks.
Although there's a shopping centre nearby, many visitors prefer to pack a picnic basket and spend an entire Sunday afternoon in the fresh air while sunbathing. Others prefer to give the gym a miss and join others for a free jogging workout around the lake. It is a beautiful place to spend quality time with your family. A huge playground will keep your kids occupied for hours, while adults can relieve the stress of a hard day by watching the world pass by. In fact it's so tranquil that no relaxation class will achieve the same result within a couple hours.
To get here, just take the Central or Piccadilly Line and get off at Marble Arch or Hyde Park Corner."
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