Review: Hyde Park

Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here?
Hyde Park is big. At one and a half miles long and a mile or so wide, it's one of London's largest Royal Parks, originally appropriated from the monks at Westminster Abbey by Henry VIII to hunt deer, but now the sort of space where anything goes. Think gangs of roller-bladers on the paths, mad swimmers and chill boaters in the Serpentine Lake, rowdy protestors at Speaker’s Corner and kids aplenty riding horses and dipping their toes into the Diana Memorial Fountain. And if you want to places to relax and unwind you’ll find them: hidden copses of trees and perfect lawns for picnicking, stealing kisses and, as the French would say, "faire du bronzage." In other words, London’s less boisterous version of NYC’s Central Park.

Any standout features or must-sees?
The nation’s princess, Lady Di, remains intimately linked with the park but in the most wonderful of ways. Instead of a drab statue, Kathryn Gustafson’s ring-shaped Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is unbeatable on a sunny day, the cries of happy children the perfect tribute. On the north side of the park, the playground in her name is also massively popular with its huge pirate ship and enclosed spaces. And if that’s not enough Diana for you, check out the permanent collection of dresses on display at Kensington Palace where she lived and which borders Hyde Park and boasts the wondrous Orangery bar and restaurant, perfect for a sneaky lunchtime glass of champagne. But no visit to Hyde Park would be complete without a spot of boating on London’s oldest boating lake, The Serpentine, home to ducks, coots, swans and tufty-headed grebes. Paddle boats and rowboats can be rented by the hour. If you’re around on Christmas Day, wander down in the morning to watch the famous open-water swimmers freeze their butts off, or even join in. And summers are for attending the hugely popular Hyde Park concerts that have seen everyone from Stevie Wonder to Bruce Springsteen headline. Finally, there's Serpentine Gallery, a former tea house located to the west of the Long Water, whose rolling two-monthly program of exhibits is free.

Was it easy to get around?
There are no hills, and plenty of paths and well-signaled walkways and maps. Walking the perimeter takes about 90 minutes, and it's so vast that there are plenty of spots to set down and take a break.

That sounds cool. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
A visit to Hyde Park doesn't have cost to you a penny. It's exhilarating, perfect for exercising, picnicking, debating—however you like to spend your day. You want art, fresh air and greenery in central London, you've got it.