Royal Park Walks in the Heart of London
If you’re visiting London then your trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting Hyde Park and Knightsbridge – two areas which offer you exclusive shopping and stunning park walks. Staying in the city is never going to be the cheap option, so why not consider having a base for a while? With accommodation in London, you can immerse yourself in city life, study or simply enjoy a bit of flexibility when it comes to having a roof over your head
Brief History of Hyde Park
Hyde Park was acquired by King Henry VIII – during the reformation of the monastarys. He claimed the extensive grounds for hunting – all 350 acres of it, and it remained a private hunting ground until Charles I opened it to the public in 1637. It was a place of refuge during Londons great plague – and people fled to the open space to escape infection; camps were set up and Londoners camped out for months at a time. When William III took the thone, he was alarmed by the dangerous walk he and courtiers underwent everytime they strolled between Kensington Palace and St. James – so he installed 300 oil lamps – the first thoroughfare to enjoy lighting! It became knowns as Rotten Row. In 1872, a law was passed – it enabled anyone who wished to express their opinion could do so, in public at Hyde Parks’ Speakers Corner – today you can listen to the most outrageous or the most enlightened speakers, depending on who has taken possession of one of the speaking podiums. It has a unique place in London history and has provided generations of people the opportunity to openly share their ideals and views, in full view of the general public in relative safety!
Hyde Park holds a “Winter Wonderland” in December which is a fairground, complete with a range of rides and entertainment, a large ice rink and also a market area where you’ll find plenty a little Christmas fair. You’ll also see fireworks, choir singers and hear Christmas carols, for a true Christmas experience. Some of the biggest concerts in the UK are now held in the Park, everything from classical opera to the top bands of the day – Pulp played there this summer with a return of Jarvis Cocker to the stage, alongside the incomparable Grace Jones. If you are lucky enough to be visiting one of the Hyde Park executive apartments, you could enjoy a concert for free!
Shops!
And when, you’ve had enough of the fresh air, take one of the side roads from the Knightsbridge end of the park, out onto the busy streets of Knightsbridge. Knightsbridge has expensive shops, resturants. Getting to Chelsea, Piccadilly and Kensington is easy here, since you can pick up the underground, or better still, climb aboard a london bus to see what’s on route. Knightsbridge has two essential shopping destinations.
The first is Harvey Nichols, a classic, understated luxury store. Beautifully laid out, with excellent lighting, its a really enjoyable experience to visit this lovely store. The other, more obvious destination in Knightsbridge is Harrods. Harrods was once the haunt of the worlds aristocracy. Harrods sells everything – its food halls are fabulous, particularly the fresh food rooms which are festooned in flowers, and ornate chandeliers, beautiful old hand painted tiles and marble pillars. You can try out a variety of eateries, from the Champagne and Caviar Stall, to the Amercian Donut Stand – something for all price ranges.
A visit to Harrods is good fun – just to take in its sheer size, variety and buzz. And there’s everything from Bathroom essentials to shooting sticks. It’s always busy – but if you get there early in the morning – you’ll have time to wander through the ground floor rooms when its relatively quiet. The Perfumery is a delight for the senses, but be warned, if you need to spend a penny, you’ll need to spend £1.00! If you think you like to try out London life, try staying in central London apartments and get to see the whole of the city from your home base.