The parks in London may not be as famous as other landmarks such as the museums or the football pitches in this city, but they are certainly worth a visit. In London, particular attention is paid to the maintenance of parks that are very lively, especially Hyde Park, which has a welcome addition in the famous Speaker's Corner which is within walking distance. The parks cover an area of over 100 hectares and you will really have the feeling as if you were absorbed in nature but when in fact you are in the very center of London.
Hyde Park covers an area of over 140 hectares, which makes it the largest park in London. It is a default place for the locals to take a rest from the city traffic, which is no wonder when you take into account the park’s size, which makes it easy to get lost in, forgetting for a moment that you are in the middle of a metropolis.The grounds where Hyde Park is located used to belong to Westminster Abbey until 1536, when King Henry VIII confiscated it and converted into his royal hunting grounds. Hyde Park was officially opened for the public in 1637 and it soon became very popular, especially for parades.
St. James Park is the oldest Royal park in London. This park is not only popular for its beauty, but also for its location, as it is situated in the very heart of London, next to Buckingham Palace. St. James’s Park used to be covered in marshland. In the 13th century, a hospital was constructed on the grounds which treated patients with leprosy. It was after this hospital, called St. James’s Hospital, that the park got its name. In 1532, King Henry VIII bought the grounds and constructed St. James’s Palace there.
Regent's Park is, along with Hyde Park, the most visited park in London. It was designed by John Nash, James and Decimus Burton. The area used to belong to the Duke of Portland, until Henry VIII bought the grounds intending to convert it into one of his hunting grounds. In 1811, the construction of the park started, and it was finally opened for the public in 1838.
Green Park is situated across the road from Buckingham Palace, between Hyde Park and St. James’s Park. As all London parks, it used to be covered in marshland. St. James’s Park used to house a big hospital which treated patients with leprosy. When those patients died, they were buried in Green Park, which remained a common practice until mid-16th century. After that, the grounds were closed for the public, becoming the private hunting grounds of Henry VIII. Numerous fireworks, mostly dedicated to the Royal Family and other nobles, took place in the park in 18th century.
