Hyde Park is often thought to be the largest of London's central parks, but it's actually two separate parks, side-by-side (Kensington Gardens is the other one). Hyde Park covers 142 hectares (350 acres - I'm shrugging too). With over 4,000 trees (I'd love to know who counted them), a lake (the Serpentine), a meadow, horse rides and plenty more to keep you busy. It's easy to forget you're in the middle of an industrious, modern city.

Henry VIIIth acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536; he and his court were often seen hunting for deer. It remained a private hunting ground until James I came to the throne and permitted limited access. It was Charles I who changed the nature of the park completely. He had the Ring (north of the present Serpentine boathouses) created and in 1637, opened the park to the general public.

In 1665, the year of the Great Plague, many citizens of London fled the City to camp on Hyde Park, in the hope of escaping the disease. Though to be fair this was more like open countryside back then. Tyburn (where the present Marble Arch is) was the public execution space for London and the procession from Newgate (where the Old Bailey stands now) to the Tyburn Tree along Oxford Street was a minor route until the early 20th century. Today it's the capital and Europe's busiest thoroughfare.

The Tyburn Tree: a three-sided gallows for mass hanging, was built in the 16th century. Tyburn is the name of the river (and village where the 'tree' was erected) which currently runs underground but supplies the water to the ponds in St. James's Park. The condemned were transported by wagon to Tyburn and an amusing story claims they were permitted one last drink en route. If they were offered another, the guard would announce that they were 'on the wagon'. Amusing, but not true. Prisoners were never afforded such luxury, the whole point being that they were going to their death and hopefully - eternal damnation for their sins. The crowd however did cheer if the prisoner faced the noose with an air of supreme indifference. This was referred to as 'dying well'. 'Dying poorly' involved fear, whimpering, begging for mercy and suchlike. It was universally derided and greeted by cacophonous booing and jeering from the crowd.

Towards the end of the 17th century William III moved his court to Kensington Palace and discovered his walk to St James's was perilous after dark. He had 300 oil lamps installed, creating the first artificially lit highway in the country. This route later became known as Rotten Row, which is a corruption of the French 'Route de Roi' or King's Road.

In 1866 Edmund Beales' Reform League marched on Hyde Park where great scuffles broke out between the League and the police. Eventually the Prime Minister allowed the meetings to continue unchallenged and since 1872, people have been allowed to speak at Speaker's Corner, on any subject they wish to.

Reconstruction of a hanging at the Tyburn Tree. The passage from Newgate Gaol follows the path of present day Oxford Street.

The park is open from 5am until midnight all year round.

Nearest Tube:

Lancaster Gate & Marble Arch - Central Line
Hyde Park Corner & Knightsbridge - Piccadilly line

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