It is now open to the public, who can see a view of the parks from its platforms above the porticoes. A further protest occurred a week later, but this time the police attacked the crowd. The principal effect of the work was to sub-divide Hyde Park and create Kensington Gardens. Speakers' Corner has been established as a point of free speech and debate since 1872, while the Chartists, the Reform League, the suffragettes, and the Stop the War Coalition have all held protests there. Victoria remained fond of Hyde Park in the final years of her life and often drove there twice a day. After the protests turned violent, three squadrons of Horse Guards and numerous Foot Guards were sent out from Marble Arch to combat the situation. [52] The sculptor Jacob Epstein constructed several works in Hyde Park. The Great Exhibition of 1851 was held in the park, for which The Crystal Palace, designed by Joseph Paxton, was erected. Military and brass bands continued to play into the 20th century. A large crowd assembled along the Mall to see the Pope arrive for his address. Paddington station, served by Bakerloo, Circle and District, and Hammersmith & City lines, is close to Lancaster Gate station and a short walk away from Hyde Park. [42] The Screen and the Arch originally formed a single composition, designed to provide a monumental transition between Hyde Park and Green Park, although the arch was moved in 1883. [72] The park has also hosted the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final. [55], In 1867 the policing of the park was entrusted to the Metropolitan Police, the only royal park so managed, due to the potential for trouble at Speakers' Corner. High Street Kensington tube station, on the Circle and District is very close to Kensington Palace located on the Southwest corner of Kensington Gardens. Charles I created the Ring (north of the present Serpentine boathouses), and in 1637 he opened the park to the general public. Several duels took place in Hyde Park during this time, often involving members of the nobility. They are of iron, bronzed, and fixed or hung to the piers by rings of gun-metal. [3], Transport within the park for people lacking mobility and disabled visitors is provided free of charge by Liberty Drives, located at Triangle Carpark. The park was established by Henry VIII in 1536 when he took the land from Westminster Abbey and used it as a hunting ground. Donald Soper, Baron Soper was a regular visitor throughout the 20th century, until just before his death in 1998. [3], Flowers were first planted in Hyde Park in 1860 by William Andrews Nesfield. The A4, a major road through West London, runs along the southeastern edge of the park, while the A5, a major road to Milton Keynes and the Midlands runs northwest from Marble Arch. [2], In 1652, during the Interregnum, Parliament ordered the then 620-acre (250 ha) park to be sold for "ready money". Further north is Paddington, further east is Mayfair and further south is Belgravia. Leider wurde dieser 1936 durch ein Großfeuer zerstört, heute sind nu… It is the largest of four Royal Parks that form a chain from the entrance of Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, via Hyde Park Corner and Green Park past the main entrance to Buckingham Palace. [15] It is believed to be the first road in London to be lit at night, which was done to deter highwaymen. [17], Hyde Park was a popular duelling spot during the 18th century, with 172 taking place, leading to 63 fatalities. [3], The park's name comes from the Manor of Hyde, which was the northeast sub-division of the manor of Eia (the other two sub-divisions were Ebury and Neyte) and appears as such in the Domesday Book. [2] To the southeast, outside the park, is Hyde Park Corner, beyond which is Green Park, St. James's Park and Buckingham Palace Gardens. The 2nd Viscount Weymouth was made Ranger of Hyde Park in 1739 and shortly after began digging the Serpentine lakes at Longleat. The Rolling Stones headlined a concert (later released as The Stones in the Park) on 5 July that year, two days after the death of founding member Brian Jones, and is now remembered as one of the most famous gigs of the 1960s.