Notable Attractions To Visit In And Around Hyde Park

London is home to the rich and famous from across the world. When it comes to posh localities they do not get any ritzier than the areas around Kensington and Chelsea with street names like Fulham, King’s, Kensington and Pimlico being out of the classiest places in the city.

These areas are also well known for the best accommodation to stay at with top class luxury hotels like the Park Grand London Hyde Park, which is close vicinity and offers relatively easy access to the top shopping and entertainment venues in the city.

When you plan a holiday in the city and are looking for London Luxury hotels to stay in, choose an accommodation that is located in the centre of the city. And contrary to popular belief all of them do not cost a fortune to stay at! Some of the top luxury hotels like the Park Grand London Hyde Park offer some great package deals and special discounts especially in the tourist off-season. Some of the top attractions you can visit while staying here include:  

Hyde Park: One of the most visited and popular of London’s Royal parks Hyde Park is spread over   350 acres of lush forested area. It is also out of the city’s largest open green spaces. It originally served as a deer hunting ground during the reign of King Henry VIII. It was in 1635 that the general public were granted access. Here you will find the Serpentine, a large lake popular with boating and swimming enthusiasts that was created in 1730. You will come across a host of monuments and attractions within the park including the famous Diana Memorial Fountain built in memory of Princess Diana, besides Speaker’s Corner and many other interesting attractions. It is also home to the Hyde Park Riding Stables, which is the country’s most renowned equestrian centre.

Apsley House: Apsley House formerly served as the residence of the Duke of Wellington and now is a Museum. He purchased the stately mansion after his magnificent victory in the Battle of Waterloo. He had the place redesigned and introduced many changes to its architecture, including the addition of the famous Waterloo Gallery, where he hosted his celebrated banquets. It was only in 1952 that the place opened as the Wellington Museum and today visitors can view the stunning personal art collection of the Duke. This includes the Spanish Master Velasquez’s famous masterpiece, the Waterseller of Seville among other priceless artworks and gifts presented to him by emperors and kings of Europe.   

The Wellington Arch: It is built to celebrate the stunning victory of the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo. It has a bronze chariot that features a figure of Peace and is just a short distance from his former residence at Apsley House. There also is an imposing bronze statue of the Duke mounted on a horse with the corners featuring statues of a Welsh fusilier, a Grenadier Guard, an Inniskilling Dragoon and a Scottish Highlander. There is an exhibition which exhibits its history and there is a gallery that houses rotating exhibits about the heritage and history of England.