Hyde Park: The park covers 142 hectares (350 acres). There is something for everyone in Hyde Park. With over 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, horse rides and more it is easy to forget you're in the middle of London. From formally dressed horse-riders to scantily clad sunbathers, this area attracts and welcomes everyone.
Technically two different parks, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are in practical and historical terms one huge, merging expanse. Hyde Park boasts of Speaker's Corner, a venue for free speech (an 1872 law made it legal for a speaker to assemble a crowd and address them on any subject), and the Serpentine lake, lido and art gallery.
At around 10.30 am every day the Household Cavalry can be observed riding through the park from Hyde Park Barracks to Buckingham Palace. On royal anniversaries and other important occasions a 41-gun salute is fired in Hyde Park, opposite the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane.
History : Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536; he and his court were often to be seen on thundering steeds in the hunt for deer. It remained a private hunting ground until James I came to the throne and permitted limited access.
Many of the striking features seen today in Hyde Park were created in the 18th century by Queen Caroline. In 1728, she took almost 300 acres from Hyde Park to form Kensington Gardens and she separated the two parks with a long ditch. Queen Caroline made a large lake called the Serpentine by damming the Westbourne Stream. More recently, in 2004, the memorial fountain to Diana, Princess of Wales, was built in the park.
The giant Crystal Palace was built here for the Great Exhibition of 1851, before being dismantled and reconstructed in the south London suburb which carries that glassy name today.
Hyde Park became a venue for national celebrations. In 1814 the Prince Regent organised fireworks to mark the end of the Napoleonic Wars, in 1851 the Great Exhibition was held and in 1977 a Silver Jubilee Exhibition was held in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's 25 years on the throne.
Admission free
Underground Stations: Knightsbridge (10 minutes), Lancaster Gate (13 minutes)
Railway Stations: Paddington Railway Station (20 minutes), Marylebone Railway Station (25 minutes)
Opening hours:
The park is open from 5am until midnight all year round.
Winter Wonderland 2010
19 Nov 2010 - 04 Jan 2011
Winter Wonderland will transform Hyde Park into an exciting world of ice and festival fun, providing fun, laughter and excitement for both adults and children. As well as the stunning ice rink, Winter Wonderland includes gentle rides for younger children.
There'll be traditional food and mulled wine and a brilliant German Christmas Fair including authentic arts, crafts, presents and foods from a range of genuine traders making it the ideal place to do some Christmas shopping and enjoy the atmosphere of the Festive season. The bandstand will feature regular carol concerts and, when time allows, even Santa himself is scheduled to make an appearance in the run-up to Christmas.
The site is free to enter with tokens for all rides and attractions available for purchase on the day.
LDIL Magical Rink
Come along to London's largest ice skating rink, get your skates on and be part of the magic. The Lidl Magical Rink is open from 10am to 10pm daily. Schoool groups can skate at Winter Wonderland for just £6.50 each. Other groups of 20+ receive a 10% discount.
Buy School or Group tickets via telephone.
Call 0844 412 4650
Giant Observation Wheel
The Giant Observation Wheel is 53 metres tall and gives spectacular 360° panoramic views overWinter Wonderland, central London and beyond.
Open all day (last ride 9.30pm). Up to six people and two under 12s can fit into each of the wheel's heated 40 pods for the 13 minute ride. Two of the Pods are able to accommodate wheelchairs. You can hire a Private Pod or even book the VIP Pod with its luxiourous leather seats, screens, tinted windows and glass floor - champagne is an optional extra! VIP Pods are available every 30 mins.
Festive food
Alongside the German Market, Winter Wonderland tickets also give you access to plenty of cafes where you can get hot drinks to warm you up after your session on the ice. A perfect sport for the romantic, there's nothing quite like a spot of ice skating before you sip a hot chocolate and watch the other skaters.
E:Cube Bar
E:Cube Bar at Winter Wonderland is open daily to the public from 10am to 10pm and is proudly sponsored by Relais & Châteaux and Pommery.
Its purpose is simple: Eat-Drink-Play-Party! Visitors can enjoy a carefully selected drinks menu and vibrant bar food, which includes cured meats, baked cheeses, oysters, sushi and chocolate fondue.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a party without the best in music and E:Cube is delighted to offer entertainment from the DJ and live musicians of Organic Jam (every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 18h00 to 22h00) as well as experimental video screenings all day long.
Zippos Circus
A new addition to this year's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be a very special circus from Zippo, who will be putting together a bespoke festive event inside a huge heated big top. So not only will you be able to skate, drink, eat, buy presents and get in the Christmas spirit, you'll be able to enjoy a fantastic circus show too. Zippos Circus tickets for school groups start at just £4.50. Buy School or Group tickets via telephone on 0844 412 4650
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