Hyde Park, Royal park in Westminster, London, United Kingdom
Hyde Park stretches across 350 acres (142 hectares) of lawns, the Serpentine lake, tree clusters, and paved paths running through central London. The water divides the grounds, while open grass and smaller gardens fill the space between the avenues.
Henry VIII acquired the land in 1536 from Westminster Abbey monks and used it as royal hunting ground before opening it to the public in 1637. Paths were later laid out and the lake was excavated, transforming the grounds into an urban park.
Speakers' Corner has hosted open-air debate since 1872, and anyone may speak on any subject except the royal family. The park's name comes from the Manor of Hyde, a Saxon land unit called a hide. The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery fires gun salutes here on royal occasions, with the number of rounds set by protocol.
The gates open at five in the morning and close at midnight, allowing visitors to use the park throughout the day. Boats can be rented on the lake, tennis can be played on the courts, or you can swim at the bathing spot.
The Serpentine Bridge divides the water into two separate sections: the Serpentine on the Hyde Park side and the Long Water on the Kensington Gardens side. This division created two distinct bodies of water with their own names and shoreline landscapes.
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