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Photo: @LondonNPC #NationalParkCity, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The eastern half of the twin parks. Of the two, Hyde Park is open for longer and has more open, unwooded land; it is often host to concerts, fun fairs and events.
Hyde Park is a 350-acre (140-hectare), historic Grade I-listed urban park in Westminster, Greater London. A Royal Park, it is the largest of the parks and green spaces that form a chain from Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, via Hyde Park Corner and Green Park, past Buckingham Palace to St James's Park. Hyde Park is divided by the Serpentine and the Long Water lakes.
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Blue Bird Boats
Rowing boats and pedalos available for hire. Alternatively, you can go on a (very short) 'cruise' on the solar shuttle, a silent boat powered entirely by the rays of the mighty London sun.
By custom, in this far northeastern corner of the park (by the Marble Arch Tube stop near Mayfair), people are free to say whatever they like about who and whatever they like (subject to British law, though enforcement is laxer here). Traditionally, Speaker's corner is most active on Sundays when it is not raining and has been recognized for featuring previously unpopular (in the distant past), now mainstream positions on policy and society such as women's rights and Green politics. For some, it is worth checking out to see the lunatics and exhibitionists spouting off but do not feel compelled to stay. Most discussions (if they can be called that) are now recorded and posted onto YouTube, so you would be wise to avoid engaging unless you're confident in what you're arguing and a competent orator, lest you be mocked later. Contrary to its historical reputation for social discourse, the majority of Speaker's corner discussions are now overwhelmingly religious in nature, with many debates/yelling matches over Abrahamic scripture.
The Serpentine is a long, thin artificial lake within Hyde Park which contains a range of waterfowl and fish. It was first made by damming the River Westbourne but it is now fed by three boreholes. The western end of the lake is actually in Kensington Gardens, in which it is called The Long Water. Swimming and boating are popular activities on the Serpentine; see 'Do' section.
Serpentine Lido
Famous swimming club in Hyde Park's lake. The winter months are members-only (hardy club members traditionally take part in a swim on Christmas Day), but during the summer months the lido is open to the general public. A concrete 'beach' area, sun loungers, a kiddies' paddling pool and café are also on-site.
A quiet birch wood surrounds an understated memorial stone inscribed with a quotation from the Book of Lamentation: "For these I weep. Streams of tears flow from my eyes because of the destruction of my people.".
More of an artificial stream than a fountain, flowing in an oval through an open grassy area which, in normal summers, is a popular paddling spot for children and grown-ups alike.