London Attractions - What to see & do

Hyde Park

Hyde is a London Royal Park which Henry VIII acquired in 1536 (it had been owned by the monks of Westminster Abbey before that). A large area of open space in the city centre of 630 acres and a perimeter of 4 miles. It has the memorials at Marble Arch at the east side and Kensington palace at the west. Also within its environs is the Albert Memorial, Queen Victoria's monument to her husband.

The Serpentine Lake is popular for boating, sailing and even bathing. To the south of the Serpentine runs Rotten Row, the fashionable riding track through the park. On the summer weekends, on the road next to the Serpentine, you can see lots of roller skaters and inline skaters, very reminiscent of Central Park on a weekend.

While up by Speaker's Corner at Marble Arch you can hear Briton's exercise their right to free speech. There may be a dozen or more at any one time, each standing on a soap box, and spouting (usually) controversial views, strongly held on any topic you can think of - religion, politics, fox hunting, trade unions, Europe, tourists.

During the summer in London, concerts are held in Hyde Park, some seated and some where you can bring a picnic and enjoy wonderful music.

The O2 festival at the beginning of July is becoming one of the main music festivals not as big as Glastonbury but also not quite as muddy either.

• Click here to visit the offical web site for Hyde Park

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace became a royal residence in 1689 when William III and Mary II commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to transform the exosting house on the site into their new London home.

Today the palace is home to several members of the royal Family; the State Apartments, first opened by Queen Victoria in1899, and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection are open to the public.

• Click here to visit the offical web site for Kensington Palace.