A little bit of history

According to historical records, in 1802 the beauty of this wonderful park was appreciated by Bonaparte, the Emperor of France, who was visiting the Holland estate at the time . After World War II, the park became a municipal park and the mansion was converted into a hotel.

Holland Park today

Holland Park, with its secluded flowering alleys, is best suited for romantic strolls. You will have the feeling that you are walking in a real forest, where you can meet all kinds of animals and birds.

The park is famous for its unique Dutch and iris gardens, grown since the century before last. There is an opera house on the territory. In warm weather there are outdoor performances and exhibitions. Up to 50 performances are offered to visitors each year.

The park impresses with its collection of oaks, which includes two thousand red oaks. Here you can meet proud peacocks and feed curious squirrels from your hands.

Townspeople walk their dogs, picnic on the lawns, and play sports. There are playgrounds equipped for towns and cricket. The soccer and golf courses are rarely empty.

Dutch Garden

The Dutch Garden is surrounded by smooth hedges and is a rectangular area with a geometric layout. The smooth pedestrian paths are framed with boxwood borders, behind which bright flowers and classic garden sculptures delight the eye. Cozy benches encourage relaxation.

Iris garden

The iris garden is separated from the rest of the grounds by a gallery wrapped in lianas, just behind which is the rose garden. When the irises are in bloom, it attracts a lot of visitors. The beautiful, round-shaped pond with its original fountain by William Pye deserves a special mention.

Japanese Rock Garden

Holland Park’s most popular and original place is rightfully considered a rock garden, given to the city in the early nineties by Japanese landscapers. The highlight of the garden was an artificial pond with an island in the shape of a turtle. An original waterfall made of huge boulders drops a sparkling stream of water into the pond.

Traditional Japanese lanterns, graceful stone bridge, fences made of twisted ropes give the place a unique Japanese flavor. Tourists with cameras are most common here.

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The gardens date back to the late 17th century when part of the royal deer hunting reserve, which was at one time Hyde Park, was bought by King William III (1650-1702) together with Nottingham House, later rebuilt into Kensington Palace. The king wanted an atmosphere around his home that was good for his ailing lungs and, to please him, Queen Mary commissioned a Dutch-style garden (William was of the Dutch lineage of Princes of Orange). However, the Dutch style didn’t last long, because at the beginning of the XVIII century the area of Kensington Gardens was enlarged by part of Hyde Park and was re-equipped in the English park style. A greenhouse appears in the gardens, and soon the area is again expanded by 300 acres and becomes equal to 111 hectares.

Originally the gardens were intended only for the walks of the nobility, but in 1728 they were made available to all decently dressed citizens, and later the gardens became one of the favorite places for walks with children. It was here that the interesting adventures of the fairy tale character Peter Pan unfolded, whose monument was erected in 1912.

The secret garden is hidden by a high hedge. Approaching the entrance, you can see the garden laid out on the request of King Edward VII in the Old Dutch style with a variety of flower beds and even a palm tree, and in the center of the garden – a rectangular pool. True, entry to the garden is forbidden to anyone except members of the royal family, but something can be seen from behind a wall of shrubs.

From Hyde Park, the gardens are separated by the artificial lake Serpentine, near which you can always see a lot of birds – ducks and swans – as well as a complex of Italian fountains. They consist of four small ponds, in the center of which is a fountain. Everything is lined with white marble and was a gift from Prince Albert to his wife, Queen Victoria – the prince himself was fond of developing park design.

The reciprocal gift, albeit posthumous, to Victoria Albert is located at the southern end of the park and features a 60-metre Gothic-style Memorial, erected in memory of the queen’s beloved husband, who died at the age of 42. The prince’s golden statue is framed by a memorial depicting his victories and achievements. The memorial is exceptionally impressive in its abundance of elaborate detail and overall complexity of design.

By the mid-nineteenth century, Kensington Palace had handed over its function as the royal residence to Buckingham Palace and with it, the gardens ceased to be the focus of the monarchs. They were not substantially reconstructed until 1860, when the Italian Fountains were created, and in 1909, when the Secret Garden appeared.

In the gardens is an important cultural site in London – the Serpentine Art Gallery. It was opened in 1970, and over the years it has exhibited the works of more than two thousand famous artists. In front of the gallery every year grows original temporary pavilions, which are developed each time by new architects. Admission to the gallery is free.

Kensington Gardens is full of statues and sculptures. There are monuments to Cecil Rhodes, the founder of the African state of Rhodesia, a monument to the inventor of the smallpox vaccine Edward Jenner, and a monument to the African explorer John Speke.

Children will love visiting Kensington Gardens because of the abundance of sites of interest to them and, in particular, the huge playground set up by Princess Diana. This playground is made in the form of a pirate ship with Indian teepees and piles of sand around it. In addition, next to this complex is the “elven oak” – the remains of the trunk of an almost thousand-year-old tree, from the folds of the bark of which the figures of fantastic creatures look out. Of course, you can’t touch them, as the oak is surrounded by a lattice fence.

Kensington Gardens is always full of people walking, athletes, runners and cyclists, as well as dog walkers who are allowed to walk their dogs there.

Most of the trees in the park are tall sprawling elms, oaks, and sycamores. Given the fairly mild English climate, green grass grows here almost year round.

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Famous St. James Park (St. James Park) is surrounded by the most influential buildings in London: St. James Palace to the north and Buckingham Palace to the west.

In addition, it is a very picturesque place – beautiful trees, a pond and a large number of fattened squirrels and various birds.
In the XIII century in the swampy area on the site of the modern park there was a leprosarium named after St. James, after whom the nearby woods were named – the hunting grounds of Henry VIII. It was Henry who ordered the construction of St James’s Palace, which still exists today.

The modern image of the park

St. James Park is famous for its wonderful lake full of all sorts of wildlife, from ducks to pelicans. The pelicans appeared here at the court of Charles II, who received them from the Russian ambassador in 1684. And you can see up to 30 bird species in the park – you can read about them on bird boards.

The lake is not deep, about 1.5 meters, but of course it is forbidden to swim there, and getting close to the water is a territory of birds. But you can admire the beautiful views from the bridge in the center of the park.

From here you can see the lake, the two islands in it – one of which is named “Duck” – and the roofs of the buildings surrounding the park. This bridge over the lake was built in 1950 to replace the metal suspension bridge. And the islet is named Duck Island because it once housed the caretaker’s bird house.

The park is very beautiful – tall trees with strong trunks, green lawn, original flowerbeds with climbing plants and flowers, well-kept shrubs, fountains and numerous benches to rest on.

But do not forget that in Britain you can sit on the lawns, so when the weather is nice you can see Londoners and visitors soaking in the sun everywhere.

One thing you can’t do in St James Park is ride a bike. The paths are for pedestrians only, so cycling enthusiasts have to choose another park – Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens or Regent’s Park.

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It’s a very clean and green place, to be exact – a public park, laid out in 1830 and opened by the then very young Princess Victoria. The park covers a fairly large area – almost 23 hectares. It was created for the recreation of the citizens, so a large part of the park is a beautiful alleys, lawns and flower beds of all kinds. There are comfortable benches and playgrounds for children.

Quite a large part of the park is occupied by sports fields. There’s a mini-golf area, tennis courts, bowling alleys, and skateboarding devices. As befits a Victorian park, there’s also a pond – you can rent a boat and float on it.

Part of the park is a botanical garden. You’ll find several interesting collections here, including the country’s finest collection of sandstone plants and an extensive collection of cypresses. The garden is large – it occupies about one-sixth of the space.

Victorian-style buildings have been erected among the flowerbeds and alleys. It doesn’t usually get too noisy, so for a day out, it’s the place to be. There are a lot of activities in the park, especially for children. And Victorian romance buffs should also come here because there’s so much to see and do.

The park has a stage for open-air concerts, in the summer there is a pretty good program – from classics to rock festivals, there are plays and movies.

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Not far from the center of the park is an entire forest, which is why Hampstead Heath is so much fun to walk in. In this park you can not just relax, but also do active sports. For example, paths are made for cyclists and athletes, as well as fields for croquet and tennis. If you have a license, you can fish in the local ponds.

The park combines hardwood forests and wilderness. There are also many sports fields, ponds equipped for swimming, a zoo, and a children’s educational center. There are fifty sites on Hampstead Heath land that have archaeological and historical value. Among these sites are a seventeenth-century manor house and a nineteenth-century residence.
Hedgehogs, stag beetles, small spotted woodpeckers, foxes, bullfinches, beetles, and a muntjac deer can be found on the park’s trails.

Because of the expanse, Hampstead Heath often hosts sporting events and outdoor games. There is also entertainment for children. Eight children’s playgrounds are located within this park. The educational center is famous for the fact that lessons on flora, geography, fauna and history are not only in classrooms, but also in the clean air.
Walking through this park, you can also check out Golders Hill. It has amazing water gardens buried in the greenery of exotic plants. This park has a free zoo, whose inhabitants each year is becoming more and more.

A place like Hampstead Heath is great for people who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hampstead Heath in London photo EnglandThe park is always kept perfectly clean and orderly. There are three ponds in the park, and all three are suitable for swimming all year round. Throughout the year, you can swim in any of them to choose from. Hampstead Heath Park also has an outdoor swimming pool called the Lido.

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All the royal parks are managed by a special agency – The Royal Parks. London residents and tourists can use the parks for recreational purposes such as relaxing and walking, but they have no right to break the established order.

Hyde Park stands out among the rest by the fact that since ancient times there have been various rallies (there is even a specially designated place called “Speakers’ Corner”) and holidays. Now it is quite a popular and favorite recreation place for London residents.

Hyde Park Attractions in London

Speakers Corner

This is probably the main attraction of the park. It appeared in 1872. Anyone could take the floor on an improvised podium and freely express his thoughts. Sometimes not only workers, but also famous people, such as Karl Marx and George Orwell became orators. By the way, long before these events there was a gallows where the death penalty was carried out. Convicts were given the last word, allowed to say whatever they wanted.

To this day, Orators’ Corner is a symbol of freedom and the struggle for one’s rights. Even now, the place is practically never empty: someone is bound to take the floor here. There are a few interesting points: it is forbidden to insult the Queen, blaspheme, call for violence; the speaker must stand on a chair, box or other object and only then begin to speak (it is forbidden to swear while standing with your feet on the kings land).

Wellington’s Arch

The Arch was erected in 1830 to commemorate the victory of troops led by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. It was first established in Green Park (the smallest of London’s Royal Parks), then moved to Hyde Park because of road widening.

The arch was designed by architect Decimus Burton to feature a bronze horse and several small sculptures. However, it was adorned with a sculpture of the Duke of Wellington. Decimus disliked it so much that he offered a large sum for the demolition of his own brainchild. He did not succeed in carrying it out. The arch stood in this form for more than a decade. In 1912, instead of the sculpture of Wellington, a chariot appeared there, drawn by four horses, ruled by an angel with a crown of victory in his hand.

Statue of Achilles

The largest statue in Hyde Park. It was created to commemorate the victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. The statue is cast from the cannons taken from the battlefield. Installed the statue in 1822.

Apsley House

At the southeastern end of Hyde Park is the residence of the Dukes of Wellington. It is one of London’s most famous houses. Apsley House was built between 1771 and 1778. Now the northern part of the building is closed to the public, and in the other half is the Arthur Wellington Museum (there is a rich collection of paintings).

Princess Diana Memorial Complex

This monument opened in Hyde Park in 2004. The fountain was designed by the world-famous artist and landscape designer Catherine Gustafson. The shape of the fountain is unusual, like a bowl: one trough the water flows slowly, symbolizing a calm and bright period in the life of Diana, the other – swiftly, like a mountain stream, recalling the difficult trial of the princess and her death.

Lake Serpentine

In English “serpentine” means snake. The lake did not get such a name by accident. In shape, it really resembles a writhing snake. This irregular shape (oblong, with uneven banks) was specially given to the lake to make it seem more natural.

There is a very sad story connected with this lake: in 1816 the pregnant wife of famous poet Percy Bisha Shelley drowned there.

Serpentine Gallery

The gallery is located in central London, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. All the exhibits are works of art of the 20th and 21st centuries. At various times it has hosted exhibitions of Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley, Jeff Koons and other famous artists, photographers, designers and sculptors.

Pet cemetery.

It’s true: there is a pet cemetery in Hyde Park. It is now, of course, inactive. Only slabs dating back to the 19th century remain there. In 1881 the curator of the park decided to bury on the request of a head of a London family, their beloved dog Charlie. The place was chosen secluded. However such a small memorial did not go unnoticed and soon there were several more tombstones in the cemetery. Representatives of noble families buried their favorites here. In total there are about 300 burials. In 1903, the cemetery was closed.

In Hyde Park you can see some more interesting art objects and sculptures. Admission to one of the most famous Royal Parks is free. The gates open daily at 5 a.m. and close at midnight.

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Regent’s Park is a beautiful park complex in central London. It includes many areas for active recreation and sports. The area of the park is 188 hectares.

Regent’s Park used to be called Marylebone Park and, like many other royal parks, was once a royal hunting reserve. Here in the 16th century Henry VIII hunted deer, but then the park was used until the 19th century, first as a source of timber, then as land for fields and vegetable gardens. The situation changed in the early 19th century, when King George III became seriously ill and his son became regent. He wanted a new palace for himself and, accordingly, a new park. The realization of the project was entrusted to the famous architect John Nash, who called the new park – Regent’s park. The new attraction was finished in 1835, and only ten years later the entrance was made free for all Londoners. Since then, new buildings and places of interest have appeared in the park, but its layout has remained the original – a complex system of rings connected by vectors of alleys.

The area of the park is about two hundred hectares. Most of it is devoted to sectors-flowers, which are called gardens. They are separated from each other by internal gilded gates. The most beautiful of these is the garden of Queen Mary, or the garden of the roses. It was laid out in 1932. Here grows more than thirty thousand roses of four hundred varieties. Many of them belong to the climbing varieties, and special supports were made precisely in order to be wrapped around the shoots of roses and form not only horizontal but also vertical rose garden. In the garden of Queen Mary a wonderful strong fragrance of roses, which combines the most subtle shades of scents of rare varieties, is constantly fragrant. By the way, all varieties of roses are marked with plaques with their names.

In Regent’s Park is located the central London mosque, from a distance its building looks like a water tower. So do not be surprised to meet here and there in the park people in Muslim clothes and with a Koran in their hands – they are worshippers of the mosque, which can accommodate five thousand people.

Finally if you just want to sit in the grass and enjoy the view then head to the north of Regent’s Park, to Primrose Hill. It’s a hill where Londoners like to picnic because of its large open, sunny spaces. There’s also a large playground.

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