Hyde Park is the largest and definately the most famous of all Royal Parks. It covers around 138 ha and what's also interesting it's very often called "London's Largest Lung". But what's the story behind it?
At the beginning that area was occupied my the monks from Westminister Abbey but later in 1536 King Henry VIII seized that area and from the major part of it he made a hunting place.100 years later, when Charles I became the King, Hyde Park was turned into a public place and which Londoners truly loved. Bigger changes happened during William and Mary 's reign. They created there the first road in England that was lit by night. In 18th century Queen Caroline made a large lake called the Serpentine. After almost 100 years King George IV created the famous Hyde Park Corner which is now one of the most famous monumentals in London. The most recent change was building the memorial fontain to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Hyde Park definately can't be forgotten while visiting London :)
Sources:
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park/about-hyde-park/landscape-history
"I never knew that about London" by Christopher Winn
I thought that Hyde Park Corner is a place (not a monument) where people used to come to voice their political opinions and discuss them with others. Nowadays it's mostly a tourist attraction where speakers (often professional comedians) speak publicly for money. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
OdpowiedzUsuńYes, You're right, I must have been mistaken. Hyde Park Corner is a place and there are monuments, such as: Wellington Arch or Wellington Statue.
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