1. Hyde Park
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out
  2. Hyde Park
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out
  3. The Serpentine, Hyde Park
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out
  4. Hyde Park
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out

Hyde Park

  • Attractions | Sightseeing
  • Hyde Park
  • Recommended
Anya Ryan
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Time Out says

What is it?

At 1.5 miles long and about a mile wide, Hyde Park is one of the largest of London's Royal Parks. The land was appropriated in 1536 from the monks of Westminster Abbey by Henry VIII. But, despite opening to the public in the early 1600s, was only frequented by the upper echelons of society. Nowadays, it is a favourite of Londoners in the summer months, particuarly as it is home to the city's oldest boating lake, The Serpentine. Hyde Park is a place of great historic interest too: it was a hotspot for mass demonstrations in the nineteenth century and remains so today. The legalisation of public assembly in the park led to the establishment of Speakers' Corner in 1872 (close to Marble Arch tube), where political and religious ranters – sane and otherwise – still have the floor.

Why go?

To enjoy a day in London's fresh air and soak up the greenery.

Don't miss:

If you're exploring on foot and the vast expanses defeat you, look out for the Liberty Drives (May-Oct). Driven by volunteers (there's no fare, but offer a donation if you can), these electric buggies pick up groups of sightseers and ferry them around. The Joy of Life fountain, next to Aldford Street North Gate, alongside Park Lane, is a popular spot for splashing around in when the weather heats up.

The divisive Winter Wonderland takes place in the park each year, so if you're a fan of festivities, grab a mulled wine and head on down.

When to visit:

The pedestrian gate opens at 5am daily and closes at 12pm.

Ticket info:

Tickets for Winter Wonderland are available from their website 

Time Out tip: 

In the summer check out the programme for BST Hyde Park. Previous headliners have included Adele, Take That and Lana Del Rey.

Details

Address
London
W2 4RU
Transport:
Tube: Marble Arch
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What’s on

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2025

Each year, Hyde Park gets transformed from pretty park to a dazzling, snow-covered, Alpine-themed, 350-acre festive funscape. One of the largest Christmas events in the UK, Winter Wonderland returns for its eighteenth year in 2025, and is expected to welcome around 2.5 million visitors over six magical weeks.  As you make your way around the space, you’ll find fairground rides, a child-friendly Santa Land (including a Santa’s Grotto, where presents lie in wait) and traditional Christmas markets where you’ll be able to buy gifts for all your loved ones. Other highlights include circuse shows from Cirque Beserk, which take place three times each evening, and the biggest outdoor ice rink in the UK. Surrounding the park’s Victorian bandstand, the 1,795 square foot rink is sponsored by Mayfair’s new art museum Moco. Not only is it lit up by more than 100,000 lights, it’s also a rather cheerful shade of candyfloos pink in keeping with the museum’s logo. There’s also the Real Ice Slide and ice sculpting workshops, after which you can warm yourself up later with frothing steins and steaming cups of mulled wine at the German-style Bavarian Village. The usual line-up of rollercoasters and fairground rides is sure to keep thrill-seekers happy. A good alternative for those who prefer to stay on solid ground is the selection of themed bars with real...
  • Markets and fairs

Peter Pan Cup

One of London’s quirkiest Christmas traditions as well as being one of the oldest, the Peter Pan Cup has been contested on Christmas mornings since 1864. Strictly a spectator event – unless you happen to be a regular, not to mention hardy, member of the Serpentine Swimming Club – the name of the 100-yard swimming race in Hyde Park’s lido derives from the 1904 edition, when author and playwright Sir James Barrie presented the trophy to the winner. The race commences at 9am so head down to watch the brave folk go for it before you start opening your presents.
  • Quirky events
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