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Following the mass murder perpetrated by the Nazis, the Jewish population of postwar Czechoslovakia was a tiny fraction of its former size, and religious persecution continued under the communist regime. This tiny museum tells the fascinating story of how, in 1964, 1,500 Torah scrolls were rescued from rotting in Prague and brought to London, where they were painstakingly restored by hand. 130 scrolls remain in situ, but the rest have been distributed among synagogues across the UK and around the world.
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Cathedral of the Dormition and All Saints
Constructed in the Lombard style as an Anglican church in the 19th century, and passed to the Moscow Patriarchate in 1956. Rather beautiful and unique in London.
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.
Contains six hard tennis courts, two mini tennis courts, a six-rink lawn bowling green and a nine-hole putting green; plus support facilities such as changing rooms and a café. Bowling greens, tennis courts and nearby football pitches can be booked. Putting is mostly drop-in only (as is some tennis). Some equipment can be rented from the sports centre.
Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Beautiful Italianate church created during the Catholic revival of the 19th century.
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.
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.