Hyde Park is one of London’s most popular green spaces, and for good reason. This outdoor space is home to both a scenic park and several attractions that make for a great day out, or even just a few hours if you’re stuck for time.
In this guide, we’ll highlight how to get there, why you should visit, and the nearest train stations to Hyde Park, to help you get the most out of your trip.
Why visit Hyde Park?
Located in the heart of the capital, Hyde Park is the largest park in central London and is one of eight Royal Parks situated around the city. At 350 acres, it offers plenty of reasons to visit, from well-known statues and memorials to leisure activities and world-class events.
If you’re visiting London for a weekend or longer, its central location makes it easily accessible.
Things to do in Hyde Park
Whether you’re passing through as part of your trip or you’ve freed up some time to spend a whole day in Hyde Park, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing what to see and do.
Memorials, fountains and statues
There are over 15 memorials, statues and fountains in Hyde Park, each with a meaningful reason for being there. One of the most iconic monuments here is the Diana Memorial Fountain, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004.
Many people also visit Hyde Park to see the bronze sculpture, Serenity.
Speakers' Corner
Perhaps one of the most visited places in Hyde Park, Speaker’s Corner has a long history of being a site for public speeches, protests, and debates. If you’re visiting on a Sunday morning, you’ll likely find crowds gathered to hear people declaring their views.
Located in the northeast of Hyde Park, your best route to Speaker’s Corner is from Marble Arch or Oxford Street.
The Rose Garden
While Hyde Park is worth a visit at any time of the year, if you’re travelling in the summer, a trip to The Rose Garden is a must. Opened in 1994, the Garden is home to a mixture of roses and herbaceous plants that are a treat for the senses.
Other features of The Rose Garden include the Boy and Dolphin Fountain and the Huntress Fountain.
Wildlife
Hyde Park has created a unique and diverse habitat that welcomes an abundance of flora and fauna. Any visit is sure to result in sightings of native songbirds, as well as the bees, beetles, and other insects that are essential for maintaining the ecosystem.
You might even be lucky enough to spot some game birds. If you’re visiting later in the day, look out for bats as you cross Dell Bridge.
Sports and Leisure
There is a range of facilities available for sport on a ‘pay and play’ basis at Park Sports including tennis, football, lawn bowls, netball, and table tennis. If the weather’s warm, you can enjoy open-water swimming or boating on the Serpentine Lido, which is open from May to September.
There are also playgrounds available for families and young children.
Events in Hyde Park
Hyde Park’s large size and central location make it ideal for a variety of different events. Many iconic singers have performed in Hyde Park in standalone concerts or as part of BST Hyde Park.
This music event is held across three weekends in the summer and has previously featured artists including Elton John, Celine Dion, Adele, and The Who.
Another seasonal event to look out for is Winter Wonderland. Held from November to January, this Christmas event is perfect for any age, featuring ice skating, Christmas markets, Santaland, and a huge funfair.
Hyde Park also holds regular events throughout the year, from tennis tournaments and educational activities for kids to half marathons, bat walks, and charity swims. For a slower pace, you can get involved in walking tours and discovery days.
How to get to Hyde Park by train
As Hyde Park occupies a large space in central London, there are several ways to get there by public transport, depending on which part of the park you’re visiting.
If you’re getting the train to Hyde Park from outside London, you might well be going to Euston first. If you’re already in London, Paddington is Hyde Park’s nearest station.
The easiest way to reach Hyde Park is by London Underground. For the east of the park, you’ll want to get off at Marble Arch and for the west side, you’ll need Queensway. Both are on the Central line.
If you’re visiting the southeast of the gardens, the closest tube station to Hyde Park is Hyde Park Corner on the Piccadilly line. If you get off at Lancaster Gate on the Central line, you can enter Hyde Park at Marlborough Gate and visit the north of the park.
Of these, Hyde Park Corner is the only one with step-free access, although step-free Bond Street is also close.
If you’re travelling from outside London and Hyde Park is on your list of attractions, Avanti West Coast can help you get there. You can book any train journey through our Journey Planner, even if the stations and services aren’t run by Avanti West Coast.
Manchester to Hyde Park
The quickest way to get from Manchester Piccadilly to Hyde Park is via London Euston. This first leg of your journey will take around two hours. From Euston, you’ll need to use the London Underground since there isn’t a connecting train line that goes directly to train stations near Hyde Park.
Either take the Piccadilly line direct from Euston or change at Tottenham Court Road for the Central line.
Birmingham to Hyde Park
Visitors from Birmingham will need to travel from Birmingham New Street to London Euston which takes around an hour and a half. From here, you can take the London Underground to one of the closest stations to Hyde Park, depending on which part of the park you plan on visiting.
Leeds to Hyde Park
When travelling from Leeds to Hyde Park, it is most convenient to travel to London King’s Cross first, even though it’s not the nearest station to Hyde Park. From Leeds, this journey should take around two and a half hours.
You can then change to the London Underground to get to Hyde Park. Depending on which area of Hyde Park you choose, this should take around 20 minutes.
Liverpool to Hyde Park
A train journey from Liverpool Lime Street station to Hyde Park will also require you to change at London Euston. This first step of your journey is around two hours and 20 minutes on a direct train. You can then continue your journey to Hyde Park by tube.
What is the closest train station to Hyde Park?
The closest train station to Hyde Park is London Paddington, just a 10-minute walk away. This Hyde Park train station puts you close to the Victoria Gate entrance which is near the Hudson Memorial, Serpentine Bridge at the boundary between Hyde Park and Kensington Palace gardens and the Norwegian War Memorial.
If you’re heading for Hyde Park Corner, Victoria train station is only a 12-minute walk away.
Travelling to Hyde Park
Whether you’re sightseeing for a few days, travelling for work or you’re visiting specifically to see Hyde Park, getting there by rail is easy with Avanti West Coast.
Book your tickets in advance to make the best savings or our app to find the best train times and route for your trip.
