Modern Park

Modern park, one of London's most recognisable landmarks, Hyde Park is home to a rich and fascinating history, inextricably entwined with English royalty and the bustle of London. In 1536, King Henry VIII acquired the manor of Hyde from the canons of Westminster Abbey. Perhaps one of the most famous of all the English kings, you might associate Henry VIII's name with his six wives. However, it was Henry's separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic church, and the ensuing furore and effect on organised religion it caused, that cemented his place in the history of Britain. It can be quite a sobering thought for the modern day visitor to a Hyde Park hotel - London could easily have been a very different place, and perhaps the famous icon of the park may not even have existed...

• Opening and Expansion

• Originally, the park was far from the high-profile public space it is today. It was originally closed off as a deer park, and remained as a private hunting ground until James I opened the grounds for limited access to the gentlefolk of the time, appointing a ranger to take charge and ensure the grounds were kept safe and unsullied. In 1637, Charles I was the king who opened the park to the general public, and altered the face of London forever. However, the park didn't immediately start taking the modern shape that you see today from your Hyde Park hotel. London wasn't so developed as it was today in 1689, and when William III moved his residence to Kensington Palace, he had a drive laid out across Hyde Park - now known (somewhat ironically) as Rotten Row. Despite the satirical connotations, the name might originally have been given because the soft material covering the road was known as 'rotten'.

• The Serpentine

• One of the most notable features of Hyde Park today is the Serpentine River, but it had humble beginnings. It was created by a landscaper named Charles Bridgeman, who completed it in 1733, at a cost to the public purse of £20,000. It may seem paltry in this age of multi-million pound budgets, but it was a substantial sum back in 1733. Visitors staying at a Hyde Park hotel in London often take advantage of the beauty of the Serpentine in order to relax and take refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city beyond, and it's only possible due to Bridgeman's work.

• Hyde Park is a wonderful place to while away a few hours, appreciating London's royal and natural histories, and it's an experience that's deepened by understanding the story behind the park.

• Looking for a Hyde Park hotel London? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for World Hotels, a company offering the best rooms at a Hyde Park hotel London and a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.