A little sweetness in this difficult week for America … with a winter nature walk in London. It is paramount that I find very balanced between peaceful residential areas and busy streets, modern department stores and small shops out of time, a vivid cultural life and many opportunities to enjoy the quiet. One of them:. Parks and Gardens The city has no less than nine Royal Parks *, well maintained and well attended. Today, I take you in one of the most central Hyde Park.
The history of the park began there more than nine centuries. At the time, this area belongs to the monks of Westminster Abbey and is rich in game. Inevitably, King Henry VIII, hunting enthusiast, decided in 1536 to recover for his personal needs and closes the place by barriers. It largely condemns stream flowing there (the Westbourne Stream) to create ponds where animals can drink. Later, Charles I made arrange a circular path for the royal carriages to move easily and in 1637, the park opened to the public.
In the 18th century Queen Caroline decided to define a new area within the park, which will become the Kensington Gardens which I will discuss in my next article. New works are held on Westbourne Stream, allowing the creation of an artificial lake, the Serpentine. In the 1820s, it built between the two parks a bridge and a new road, which officially separated Hyde Park Kensington Gardens.
The park is accessible from several subway stations: Hyde Park Corner, Knights bridge or Marble Arch .
In the corner, you can enjoy the excellent seafood restaurant Outlaw’s, on Basil Street (south of Hyde Park).
* 9 The Royal Parks Richmond Park, Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, St James’ Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Kensington Gardens , Bushy Park and the Brompton Cemetery.