Hyde Park

Hyde Park
Enjoyable Walk
in/near Central London, London,
England Greater London

Recommendation added: 16/03/2006 20:48
By: jsimons128 (YSUK rating +93)

jsimons128 has been thanked 0 times for this contribution

"Hyde Park merges imperceptibly with Kensington gardens, which makes it seem a lot larger than it is, but there is a marked character difference between the two parks. Before henry the eigth enclosed the area as a hunting chase, the park was a wild tract of countryside that once formed part of a vast primeval forest. It was watered by the little River Westbourne, a tributary of the Thames. After it was dammed to form the enchating Serpentine lake the Westbourne vanished underground.

The Serpentine is undoubtedly the main feature of the park. It is the habitat of wild creatures that find scant sanctuary elsewhere in the city centre. It is also a source of pleasure to humankind, a large silvery flatness that rests easily on the eye and murmurs to the dip of oars or the swish of sailing dinghies. Its shrub covered islands are the homes of breeding waterfowl, sanctuaries guarded from the tread of man. At the eastern end of the Serpentine is the Dell, often considered the parks most picturesque feature. At its centre is a large block of granite called the Standing Stone:it is in fact all that remains of a 19th century drinking fountain.

Here the horse is still welcome, whether it be of the kings troop of the royal horse artillary come to fire a salute, or a civilian out for a casual canter along the Route du Roi-now known as Rotten Row. There was once an enclosure in the park called The Tour where courtiers drove a circular route in an ostentious parade of fashion. Ever since the Stuart Kings threw open the gates, Hyde has been a peoples park. Its history is one of gaiety, of racing and sports, folk dancing, and minor self indulgence. This spirit of realxed tolerance, of democratic freedom, is nowhere more typified thanat Speakers Corner. Here, at the Marble arch corner of the park, anyone can stand up and say just what they please, so long as they can tolerate the remarks of their audience. Another great day out, I strongly agree visiting."