A day out at Hyde Park

By South Western Railway July 31, 2023 6 min read

In this article, you'll learn the following:

How to get to Hyde Park
Things to do at Hyde Park
Things to see at Hyde Park
Memorials, fountains and statues
2023 Events at Hyde Park
Things to do around Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London, spanning over 350 acres. Once a hunting ground for King Henry VIII, it’s a popular location for days out and events, including Hyde Park Music Festival and Winter Wonderland.

Outside its vibrant event calendar, Hyde Park offers a peaceful retreat from the city, with grassy areas spanning for miles and over 4,000 trees. It’s one of the best free things to do in London, with many famous landmarks.

Are you considering a day out at Hyde Park? Our guide will help you plan the perfect day out, from things to see and do to how to get there.

How to get to Hyde Park

If you’re travelling to London Waterloo, you can get to Hyde Park in several ways. The quickest option is to take the Westbound Jubilee line westbound to Green Park, then continue on the Piccadilly line to Hyde Park Corner station.

Alternatively, the 43-minute walk to Hyde Park from London Waterloo is a fantastic way to enjoy sightseeing.

Walk eastbound and cross the Golden Jubilee Bridges towards Trafalgar Square, passing the London Eye and Big Ben. Take The Mall path at St James’s Park towards Buckingham Palace, then turn right at the Victoria Memorial and walk until you reach Wellington Arch. The entrance to Hyde Park is across the road.

Things to do at Hyde Park

2 men with their children on their shoulders walking through Hyde Park

From sports to relaxing, there’s plenty to do at Hyde Park. Here are our top recommendations:

Picnic

Nothing beats a picnic on a sunny day, and Hyde Park is a perfect setting. Are you searching for the best picnic spot? We’d recommend the large grassy and shaded area on the bank of the Serpentine, or you can find picnic benches near the 7 July Memorial.

Sports

Sports fanatics will find several options at Hyde Park, from tennis courts to football pitches. Open water swimming is available at the Serpentine Lido during the spring and summer, or you can hire a pedalo boat for year-round fun on the lake. Afterwards, the Lido bar and café is a fantastic place to enjoy refreshments.

The sports and leisure amenities on land include AstroTurf football pitches, tennis courts, lawn bowling and horse riding arenas, which must be booked in advance.

Kids' playgrounds

On the Southern boundary of Hyde Park, South Carriage Playground is the perfect place for little ones to let off some steam. The recently refurbished playground contains climbing frames, a swing, a slide and benches for parents to sit and watch.

Things to see at Hyde Park

An empty walking path in Hyde Park

Hyde Park’s rich history gives visitors plenty to see, with beautiful gardens, ancient statues and impactful memorials ideal for whiling away the hours.

Memorials, fountains and statues

There are 19 memorials, fountains and statues to discover in Hyde Park, the most notable being the Diana Memorial Fountain. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 July 2004, the fountain symbolises Diana’s quality and openness.

Other significant monuments include the Holocaust Memorial, the 7 July Memorial and the Hudson Memorial Bird Sanctuary.

The Rose Garden

A visit to the Rose Garden will show you why Hyde Park is one of London’s best parks. Located in the South East corner, you’ll find rich, seasonal flowerbeds in beautiful pastel shades, spanning as far as the eye can see.

The flowerbeds and yew hedges are shaped to resemble a horn with musical notes coming out of it. It’s best to visit in early summer to enjoy the flowers in full bloom and smell the delicious scents.

The LookOut

Lovers of birdwatching and the natural world should visit the LookOut, an eco-friendly building deep in Hyde Park’s heart. Offering well-being activities and learning experiences, it’s an excellent place for the whole family to escape the bustle of the city.

The Great Exhibition Augmented Reality Experience

The Great Exhibition Augmented Reality Experience takes visitors back in time to explore the Crystal Palace. The palace was built as a large, temporary glass structure in 1851, showing the industrial and cultural advances of the time.

To participate in the experience, head to the Crystal Palace’s former location on the South side of Hyde Park and download the free app.

2023 Events at Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland rides at night

Hyde Park is known for its world-class events taking place throughout the year. Here are some of our top choices, listed in date order.

April to July – LTA Youth Tennis Courses. A 12-week tennis coaching course for all ages and abilities.

May to June – Discovery Day, Time Travellers. Free kids’ learning, games and arts & crafts activities occur over the half term.

6 June to 20 June – The Birds & the Bees: Queer Ecology of The Royal Parks. A guided LGBTQ+ friendly nature walk with ecologist Connor Butler, exploring how queerness exists in nature. This event is for 18+.

16 June and 14 July – Hidden Stories of Hyde Park. A walking tour of Hyde Park, including a visit to the hidden pet cemetery.

24 June to 8 July – BST Hyde Park. Enjoy performances from worldwide artists, arts and cinema and workshops at this famous annual festival.

16 September – Swim Serpentine. A fundraising swimming event in Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake.

8 October – 2023 Royal Parks Half Marathon. A 13.1-mile race through four of London’s Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St. James's Park and Kensington Gardens.

November to January – Winter Wonderland. One of the top Christmas attractions for kids in the South West, featuring fairground rides, food stalls, ice skating and more.

Things to do around Hyde Park

You'll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking for places to eat and drink near Hyde Park. Read on to discover the best bars and restaurants within walking distance of the park.

The best restaurants near Hyde Park

Feeling hungry? Here are the best restaurants to satisfy your appetite near Hyde Park.

The Victoria – A pub serving traditional British dishes, alcohol and soft drinks
The Shed – A shabby-chic British restaurant serving a farm-to-fork menu
Bizzarro – An authentic Italian restaurant established in 1957
Halepi – A family-run Greek restaurant and kebab house in a cosy taverna
Pizza Pilgrims – An Italian chain restaurant serving some of the best pizza in London
Bombay Palace – A top Indian restaurant chain with a mouth-watering selection of Indian dishes

The best bars near Hyde Park

Whether you’re looking for a pub or a cocktail bar, many bars are near Hyde Park.

Nine Lives Bar – A tropical-themed cocktail bar serving a selection of cocktails and craft beers
Rupert Street Bar – An LGBTQ+ bar serving cocktails, shots and small plates
Serpentine Bar & Kitchen – Located on Serpentine’s lakeside in Hyde Park, offering a selection of drinks and meals
Smith & Whistle Bar & Terrace – Expertly crafted cocktails and the finest draft beers in the heart of Mayfair
Paxton’s Head – A traditional pub built in 1632, serving pub food and a selection of alcohol
Willows on the Roof – A rooftop bar and restaurant located above John Lewis on Oxford Street, serving cocktails, wines, beers and more

Hyde Park is easy to get to by train, so why not plan your travel with South Western Railway? To make sure you’re prepared for your visit, book your train tickets in advance to get the best price. Search our ticket types to find cheap train tickets, and see if you can save with a Railcard or GroupSave.