Discovering Hyde Park

Kensington Palace

London has many parks and green areas in which to walk, bike, run, etc., and Hyde Park is one of the largest.

Hyde Park used to be part of the Westminster Abbey grounds (Westminster Abbey is the direct neighbor of the Houses of Parliament) until Henry VIII split with the Catholic Church and redistributed the Church's land among the royal posse (members of the English elite).  A bit later, Kensington Palace was built and Hyde Park became its royal grounds.  Though it had been around for a while, Kensington Palace was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and her place of residence until she ascended to the throne at the age of 19 (she is the longest reining Queen of England to date: 1837-1901).  Kensington Gardens and the various fountains around the park were built by Prince Albert in his attempt to woo Victoria.  Albert and Victoria are one of the highest regarded couples in British history, if not The highest.  There are whole museums and monuments just for them (see the pictures below).  There are 9 statues in London alone of Queen Victoria.

Albert Memorial

Albert Memorial

Other royals who made Kensington Palace their home: Charles and Diana (Prince and Princess of Wales), as well as their sons William and Harry. 

Royal Albert Hall

The Albert Memorial, across from the Royal Albert Hall, is huge and elaborate and Albert himself would have been appalled to see such a thing!  Nevertheless, it symbolizes Britain's influence over the four corners of the world, as well as its excellence in areas of business, engineering, academia, etc.