Hyde Park is a gorgeous reserve that has its roots firmly planted in England’s history. Stemming from its first incarnation as a royal hunting ground in the 16th century, Hyde Park has seen London develop and prosper for centuries and now stands as one of London’s most treasured landmarks.
This scenic park is a must visit attraction when visiting London; with 350 acres of greenery, a beautiful lake, botanical gardens, iconic pieces of English heritage, statues and more… Hyde Park is one of the most important parts of London’s cultural identity.
During your next stay at LUMA Concept Hotel London, take yourself down to Hyde Park. Hyde Park is only a hop, skip and a jump away from all hotels in Hammersmith, like LUMA, making it an easy day out.
It’s probably no surprise that Hyde Park has a few interesting stories up its sleeve… here are some fun facts about Hyde Park that you probably didn’t know.
Hunting Ground
Hyde Park was first designed as a hunting ground for King Henry VIII in 1536. However, unfortunately for King Henry VIII, the monks from Westminster Abbey were in the way… how did he get around this? He confiscated the land from them. The park was finally established for King Henry VIII’s manly hunting rollicks and wasn’t open to the public until 1637 by King Charles I.
The Beatles
The only time all four members of The Beatles lived together was when they shared a house at 57 Green Street during the autumn of 1963. This house was adjacent to the magnificent Hyde Park.
Speakers’ Corner
Speakers’ Corner is a space in Hyde Park that gives the public a voice. How so? Anyone can publically discuss, preach, teach and enlighten people on whatever they so desire. Located on the North-East edge of Hyde Park, this corner provides visitors a chance to talk, learn and discuss.
Speakers’ Corner was born out the struggle for civil rights during the Victorian era and stands as a democratic symbol of the power of freedom of speech.
Secret Pet Cemetery
The pet cemetery is well hidden within Hyde Park’s elegant exterior. If you come across this cemetery, you’ll find 300 tiny tombstones that pay tribute to tragic losses of several much-loved pets. The cemetery had a short life, opening in 1881 and shutting again in 1903. During its short spell as an assessable pet burial ground, owners found solace and comfort in this serene English garden. If you fancy going to see it for yourself, you’ll find the burial ground located behind Victoria Gate Lodge.
Concerts
Did you know that Hyde Park is a great gig venue? Every year concerts and festivals take advantage of the park’s vast green layout, putting on multiple shows a year. In 2017, expect to see the likes of Green Day and Justin Bieber enchant crowds at Hyde Park.