studentsineurope

Seek Hyde

Hyde Park - Round Pond

With tennis and basketball courts, paddle boats and duck ponds, baseball and soccer fields, zoos and picnic areas, American parks are the epitome of recreation and relaxation.

It wasn’t until coming to London that I discovered another side to parks that distinguishes them from the American tradition. Aside from being larger than any park I’ve ever been in, the multi-faceted Hyde Park offers everything from history lessons to horseback riding lessons.

Stretching from Marble Arch to Queensway Station, down to Hyde Park Corner and over to Palace Gate, Hyde Park stretches over 350 acres of grass, trees, and even a self-contained lake called “The Serpentine.”

With regard to history, Hyde Park offers an enormous tribute to the life of Princess Diana in the shape of a giant granite fountain. Like a shallower version of water parks’ “lazy river” rides, water flows around in two directions and comes to meet in a pool at the bottom. Unlike most memorials that are “look but don’t touch,” this memorial allows its visitors to sit on the edge and dip their feet into the water, as well as cross bridges over the water to reach the center of it. On warmer days, you’re likely to see many parents with their children here.

A more somber memorial, on the eastern edge of the park is the 7 July Memorial, with 52 pillars standing for those killed in the 2005 subway bombings. At the northeast corner near Marble Arch is Speaker’s Corner, a traditional soapbox style place that has cherished free speech since 1872. Every Sunday, people have the right to speak publicly on any topic they choose, so long as they don’t use obscenities. It’s an incredible marvel of democracy.

In addition to these monuments are a number of statues and various architectural pieces to see. First is Marble Arch, which is, as the name would indicate, a marble arch, built in 1820 as the entrance to Buckingham Palace then moved to its current location in 1880. At Hyde Park Corner is the Wellington Monument, a statue of nude Achilles, shield and sword in hand, armor beside him. Also in the park is the Albert Memorial, a great, gaudy, gold-highlighted shrine to Prince Albert, which features him seated amongst over 150 carved figures of angels and other virtues.

Winter Wonderland

To get in touch with nature, Hyde has boat rentals to paddle or row out onto the Serpentine. From June to September, there is also daily public swimming here. Though not as impressive as some American park zoos, Hyde has Meadow Wildlife, an area that houses wildflowers, birds, and butterflies. On the western end of the park is Round Pond, where ducks and swans – as well as many people – flock daily. The pond is most beautiful in the morning when the sun glances off the water and it shimmers.

As well as being a great place to jog, swim, or just hang out, Hyde Park consistently has fun community events. Now, towards the end of the year, Hyde Park offers “Winter Wonderland,” a festival that runs 10 AM to 10 PM until January 3^rd (closed Christmas Day). In addition to rides, an ice rink, bright lights, and other themed attractions, the Wonderland also features a German Christmas Market, with over 60 vendors selling unique gifts.

With so much to do and see, Hyde Park is a great chance to experience and become a part of London culture and history, without time constraints or admission fees.