At a glance: W2 / W1 | Royal Park, bordered by Westminster and Kensington | Nearest stations: Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge | Best for: people who prize green space and a prestigious central location.
The feel of the area
Hyde Park is one of London's eight Royal Parks, at roughly 350 acres, and it defines the character of everything around it. It's a place for runners, cyclists, rowers, dog walkers, picnickers and weekend strollers, and it gives the surrounding streets a feeling of space that is rare in the centre of a capital city. Together with neighbouring Kensington Gardens, it forms a huge green belt through the middle of London.
Highlights
The Serpentine is the park's centrepiece, with boating, a lido for summer swimming and lakeside cafés. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, the Serpentine Galleries, the Rose Garden and Speakers' Corner (where public debate has been a tradition for generations) are all worth a visit. In winter the park hosts the Winter Wonderland festive fair, and throughout the year it stages concerts and events.
Homes around the park
There are no homes within the park itself, but its borders include some of London's most sought-after addresses. To the north, Bayswater Road and Lancaster Gate have elegant period terraces and mansion buildings. On the eastern side, Park Lane is known for its grand hotels and high-end apartment buildings. To the south, Knightsbridge and Kensington Gore have a similarly premium feel. Homes with park views are always in strong demand.
Getting around
Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge stations all serve the park's edges, and many bus routes cross or skirt it. Cycle routes and walking paths make it easy to cross the park on foot or by bike, which is a real advantage for local commuters.
Why people choose it
Residents near Hyde Park trade a little of the buzz of other areas for space, fresh air and a sense of calm in the middle of the city. It's popular with families, joggers and anyone who works from home and wants somewhere pleasant to step out into.