Central London is home to Hyde Park, one of London’s most historic and popular parks. Designated as a royal park, it is a favourite leisure spot of locals and tourists alike. Its more than 300 hectares include a large lake, a rose garden, and a beautiful meadow that is perfect for picnics.
It is also a great spot for family outdoor activities such as cycling, skating, cricket, and boating, or even the more sedate sports of bird- and people-watching. A children’s playground has been provided for younger children. Many artists come to sketch or be inspired by its lovely scenery. Various shows and music concerts are also conducted at various times throughout the year.
Due to its many attractions and convenient location, a huge number of tourists and travelling businessmen opt to stay in centrally situated Hyde Park hotels. London is a world-famous city that is simply bursting with history and culture; and for tourists staying in Hyde Park hotels, London and her many attractions are easily accessible by foot or by taxi.
Oxford Street
A site easily reached from nearby Hyde Park hotels, London’s historic Oxford Street is a lovely place for leisurely sightseeing or shopping. Heritage buildings are located on either side of the street, featuring European architecture, and many famous department stores and high-end shops are located here – including Selfridges, the second largest department store in the UK. Charing Cross Road, immortalised in the book and movie, can be reached by walking along Oxford Street. Oxford Street is especially popular at Christmas time, when it is decorated with festive lights. The lights are turned on every year by a celebrity, including people like Jim Carrey in 2009 and, most recently, the group The Saturdays.
Bond Street
Bond Street, a major shopping street in the West End of London, was named Europe’s most expensive retail location in 2010. Although historically the home of top art dealers and antique shops, including the world famous auction house, Sotheby’s, these days it is home to high-end retail stores such as Armani, Louis Vuitton, Graff Diamonds, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Ferragamo, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Bvlgari, Harry Winston, Dior, Mulberry, Longchamp, and Alexander Mcqueen. Even simply window-shopping is a treat here.
Piccadilly Circus
A famous saying goes that if you stand in Piccadilly Circus long enough, you will see everyone you know walk by. This extremely busy thoroughfare has a reputation for being a familiar meeting point for travellers, especially as the Piccadilly Circus tube station of the London Underground Metro System is located directly below the plaza. It is home to several famous landmarks, including the London Pavilion, the Criterion Theatre, and the Shaftesbury memorial fountain. The immense video display and neon signs mounted on the corner building on the northern side are considered iconic, and have been featured in the media countless times. » Read more: Hyde Park Hotels: London at Your Feet
