In 1536 Henry VIII took this park from the monks of Westminster and restocked it  with deer, boar and wild bull so that he could indulge himself in his passion for hunting.

At the beginning of the 17th century, Hyde Park was the first to be opened to the public and it became very fashionable to spend May Day here.

In the early 1640’s a fortification was built on the east side of the park to prevent any attacks on the Royals.
During the Great Plague it was used as a military camp.
William III had 300 lamps hung from the branches of the trees from Kensington Palace to St. James palace. It was known as the Route Du Roi ( Rotten Row). This was the first road in England to be lit.

During the 1700’s it was well known for duelling.

The Serpentine lake was built in the 1730’s and in 1814 the Battle of Trafalgar was re-enacted on the lake. French ships were sunk in flames with the National Anthem playing in the background.

The statue of Achilles (commemorating Wellingtons victories) by Westmacott was erected in 1822. In 1826 George Rennies bridge was built over the Serpentine. He also designed the London Bridge that was later demolished and rebuilt in Arizona.

The Great Exhibition of 1851 was held here in the Crystal Palace.

Until 1872 the right of assembly was not recognised. The north east part of the park is known as Speakers Corner in respect of demonstrations that were held there in the past and the fact that people still assemble here on Sunday to exercise their right to free speech.

Not until 1860, were flowers planted in the park. On the Bayswater side, a dogs cemetery was started in 1880 by the Duchess of Cambridge. The last burial took place in 1905.

A tea house (by Sir Henry Tanner ) was built in 1908. It is now the Serpentine Gallery.

Today's park allows people to enjoy many activities. You can swim or row a boat in the serpentine, go horse riding, jog, roller-blade, play softball, tennis or just lie on the grass and watch the world go past.