114-641: 51°30′37.5″N 0°11′6.5″W / 51.510417°N 0.185139°W / 51.510417; -0.185139 Bayswater Road is the main road running along the northern edge of Hyde Park in London . Originally part of the A40 road , it is now designated part of the A402 road . In the east, Bayswater Road originates at Marble Arch roadway at the Marble Arch junction, and at its western end it continues into Notting Hill Gate . It
228-408: A Tennis centre. There are numerous cycle paths, and horse riding is popular. In 1998 British artist Marion Coutts recreated Hyde Park, along with Battersea and Regent's Park , as a set of asymmetrical ping-pong tables for her interactive installation Fresh Air . For the 2012 Summer Olympics , the park hosted the triathlon , which brothers Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan Brownlee took
342-446: A bordure counter-changed of the same (for Magdeburg ); 2nd, argent, an eagle displayed sable , crowned or ; 3rd, or, a griffin segreant gules, crowned; 4th and 5th, argent, a griffin segreant gules; 6th, or, a griffin segreant sable; 7th, argent, an eagle displayed sable (for Crossen ); 8th, per pale argent and gules within a bordure counter-changed of the same (for Halberstadt ); 9th, argent, an eagle displayed sable; 10th, or,
456-571: A barely veiled reference to the political leanings of the Prince of Wales. Caroline's intellect far outstripped her husband's, and she read avidly. She established an extensive library at St James's Palace. As a young woman, she corresponded with Gottfried Leibniz, the intellectual colossus who was courtier and factotum to the House of Hanover. She later facilitated the Leibniz-Clarke correspondence , arguably
570-531: A beautiful arrangement of the Greek honeysuckle ornament ; the parts being well defined, and the raffles of the leaves brought out in a most extraordinary manner." The Wellington Arch was extensively restored by English Heritage between 1999 and 2001. It is now open to the public, who can see a view of the parks from its platforms above the porticoes. Popular areas within Hyde Park include Speakers' Corner (located in
684-477: A blocking, the sides of the central one being decorated with a beautiful frieze, representing a naval and military triumphal procession. This frieze was designed by Mr. Henning, junior, the son of Mr. Henning who was well known for his models of the Elgin Marbles . The gates were manufactured by Messrs. Bramah . They are of iron, bronzed, and fixed or hung to the piers by rings of gun-metal. The design consists of
798-544: A closer eye on them. After the union of England and Scotland in 1707, the succession of George Augustus's family to the united British throne was confirmed but insecure, since Queen Anne's half-brother James Stuart contested the Hanoverian claim, and Anne had fallen out with Dowager Electress Sophia. The Queen refused permission for any of the Hanoverians to visit Britain in her lifetime. Caroline wrote to Leibniz, "I accept
912-402: A concert organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise awareness of increased debts and poverty in the third world . Acts included U2 , Coldplay , Elton John , R.E.M. , Madonna , The Who , and Paul McCartney , and the most anticipated set was the reformation of the classic 1970s line-up of Pink Floyd (including David Gilmour and Roger Waters ) for the first time since 1981. The gig
1026-473: A concert venue, due to the sound levels, and have campaigned for a maximum sound level of 73 decibels . In July 2012, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney found their microphones switched off after Springsteen had played a three-hour set during the Park's Hard Rock Calling festival, and overshot the 10:30 pm curfew time. Hyde Park contains several sporting facilities, including several football pitches and
1140-516: A decision with which she complied; she sent her son a message of forgiveness through Walpole. She asked her husband to remarry after her death, which he rejected saying he would take only mistresses; she replied "Ah, mon Dieu, cela n'empêche pas" ("My God, that doesn't prevent it"). On 17 November, her strangulated bowel burst. She died on 20 November 1737 at St James's Palace. Caroline was buried in Westminster Abbey on 17 December. Frederick
1254-516: A free meal as a gift. The Queen and the Prince of Wales made an unexpected appearance at the event. Victoria remained fond of Hyde Park in the final years of her life and often drove there twice a day. As part of the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, a Jubilee Exhibition was set up in Hyde Park, with the Queen and Prince Philip visiting on 30 June. In 2012, a major festival took place in
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#17328440108551368-409: A large black cube; and Vroom Vroom , which resembles a giant human hand pushing a toy car along the ground. The sculptor Jacob Epstein constructed several works in Hyde Park. His memorial to the author William Henry Hudson , featuring his character Rima caused public outrage when it was unveiled in 1925. There has been a fountain at Grosvenor Gate since 1863, designed by Alexander Munro . There
1482-468: A lodge, etc. The extent of the whole frontage is about 107 ft (33 m). The central entrance has a bold projection: the entablature is supported by four columns; and the volutes of the capitals of the outside column on each side of the gateway are formed in an angular direction, so as to exhibit two complete faces to view. The two side gateways, in their elevations, present two insulated Ionic columns, flanked by antae. All these entrances are finished by
1596-506: A loveless arranged marriage as he himself had. The nephew of three childless uncles, George Augustus was under pressure to marry and father an heir to prevent endangering the Hanoverian succession. He had heard reports of Caroline's "incomparable beauty and mental attributes". He immediately took a liking to her "good character" and the British envoy reported that George Augustus "would not think of anybody else after her". For her part, Caroline
1710-419: A place for duels during this time, often involving members of the nobility. In the 19th century, The Great Exhibition of 1851 was held in the park, for which The Crystal Palace , designed by Joseph Paxton , was erected. Free speech and demonstrations have been a key feature of Hyde Park since the 19th century. Speakers' Corner has been established as a point of free speech and debate since 1872, while
1824-573: A point inside the park, close to the Tyburn gallows , as "where soldiers are shot." The first coherent landscaping in Hyde Park began in 1726. It was undertaken by Charles Bridgeman for King George I ; after the king's death in 1727, it continued with approval of his daughter-in-law, Queen Caroline . Work was supervised by Charles Withers, the Surveyor-General of Woods and Forests , and divided Hyde Park, creating Kensington Gardens. The Serpentine
1938-508: A popular event; Samuel Pepys took part in the park's celebrations in 1663 while attempting to gain the King's favour. During the Great Plague of London in 1665, Hyde Park was used as a military camp. In 1689, William III moved his residence to Kensington Palace on the far side of Hyde Park and had a drive laid out across its southern edge which was known as the King's Private Road. The drive
2052-405: A protest at the park was organised to demonstrate against Robert Grosvenor 's attempt to ban Sunday trading , including a restriction on pub opening times. Karl Marx observed approximately 200,000 protesters attended the demonstration, which involved jeering and taunting at upper-class horse carriages. A further protest occurred a week later, but this time the police attacked the crowd. In 1867
2166-419: A rattling carriage for an hour and a half while heavily pregnant and in pain. With a party including her daughters Amelia and Caroline and Lord Hervey, the Queen raced over to St James's Palace, where Frederick had taken Augusta. Caroline was relieved to discover that Augusta had given birth to a "poor, ugly little she-mouse", also called Augusta , rather than a "large, fat, healthy boy" as the pitiful nature of
2280-471: A scholar of considerable ability. She and Sophia Charlotte developed a strong relationship in which Caroline was treated as a surrogate daughter; the Queen once declared Berlin was "a desert" without Caroline whenever she left temporarily for Ansbach. An intelligent and attractive woman, Caroline was much sought-after as a bride. Dowager Electress Sophia called her "the most agreeable Princess in Germany". She
2394-513: A second miscarriage. Leicester House became a frequent meeting place for the ministry's political opponents. Caroline struck up a friendship with politician Sir Robert Walpole , a former minister in the Whig government who led a disgruntled faction of the party. In April 1720, Walpole's wing of the Whig party reconciled with the governing wing, and Walpole and Caroline helped to effect a reconciliation between
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#17328440108552508-463: A single composition, designed to provide a monumental transition between Hyde Park and Green Park, although the arch was moved in 1883. It originally had a statue of the Duke of Wellington on top; it was moved to Aldershot in 1883 when the arch was re-sited. An early description reports: "It consists of a screen of handsome fluted Ionic columns , with three carriage entrance archways, two-foot entrances,
2622-451: A total area of 253 hectares (625 acres). During daylight, the two parks merge seamlessly into each other, but Kensington Gardens closes at dusk, and Hyde Park remains open throughout the year from 5 a.m. until midnight. 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
2736-514: A visit to her native Hanover. Caroline was devastated, writing to Leibniz, "The calamity has overwhelmed me with grief and sickness, and it is only the hope that I may soon follow her that consoles me." In June 1705, Sophia Charlotte's nephew Prince George Augustus of Hanover visited the Ansbach court, supposedly incognito, to inspect Caroline, as his father the Elector did not want his son to enter into
2850-413: Is a Royal Park in central London, bounded on the north by Bayswater Road , to the east by Park Lane , and to the south by Knightsbridge . Further north is Paddington , further east is Mayfair and further south is Belgravia . To the southeast, outside the park, is Hyde Park Corner , beyond which is Green Park , St. James's Park and Buckingham Palace Gardens . The park has been Grade I listed on
2964-521: Is a benevolent philosopher; and she has never lost an opportunity to learn or to manifest her generosity." On George I's death in 1727, George Augustus ascended as George II and Caroline became queen consort. George II and Caroline's coronation was held at Westminster Abbey on 11 October that year. Though George II denounced Walpole as a "rogue and rascal" over the terms of the reconciliation with his father, Caroline advised her husband to retain Walpole as
3078-537: Is another fountain opposite Mount Street on the park's eastern edge. A pet cemetery was established at the north edge of Hyde Park in the late 19th century. The last burial took place in 1976. Currently, the Metropolitan Police Service is responsible for policing the park and are based inside what is colloquially known as 'the Old Police House', which is situated within the park. The building
3192-413: Is available to adopt trees in the park, which helps fund their upkeep and maintenance. A botanical curiosity is the weeping beech , which is known as "the upside-down tree". A rose garden , designed by Colvin & Moggridge Landscape Architects, was added in 1994. There are a number of assorted statues and memorials around Hyde Park. The Cavalry Memorial was built in 1924 at Stanhope Gate. It moved to
3306-507: Is divided by the Serpentine and the Long Water lakes. The park was established by Henry VIII in 1536 when he took the land from Westminster Abbey and used it as a hunting ground. It opened to the public in 1637 and quickly became popular, particularly for May Day parades. Major improvements occurred in the early 18th century under the direction of Queen Caroline . The park also became
3420-560: Is mostly within the City of Westminster but a small portion of the road's western end lies in Kensington and Chelsea . The road is part of the Via Trinobantia, an old Roman Road , later becoming a turnpike road . Trinobantia in latin translates to Trinity. It had become known as Bayswater Road by the 1860s. The Swan Inn and Black Lion are both on Bayswater Road and were both established in
3534-535: Is nevertheless probable that Caroline of Ansbach was one of the most influential consorts in British history. Caroline County in the British Colony of Virginia was named in the Queen's honour when it was formed in 1727. The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom are impaled with those of Caroline's father. The arms of her father were quarterly of fifteen, 1st, per fess gules and argent , within
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3648-484: Is still in existence as a wide straight gravelled carriage track leading west from Hyde Park Corner across the southern boundary of Hyde Park towards Kensington Palace and now known as Rotten Row , possibly a corruption of rotteran (to muster), Ratten Row (roundabout way), Route du roi , or rotten (the soft material with which the road is covered). It is believed to be the first road in London to be lit at night, which
3762-589: The British throne ) and heir apparent to the Electorate of Hanover . They had eight children, seven of whom reached adulthood. Caroline moved to Britain permanently in 1714 when her husband became Prince of Wales . As Princess of Wales she joined George Augustus in rallying political opposition to his father, King George I . In 1717, after a family row, George Augustus was expelled from court. Caroline came to be associated with Robert Walpole , an opposition politician who
3876-653: The Chartists , the Reform League , the suffragettes , and the Stop the War Coalition have all held protests there. In the late 20th century, the park was known for holding large-scale free rock music concerts, featuring groups such as Pink Floyd , The Rolling Stones and Queen . Major events in the park have continued into the 21st century, such as Live 8 in 2005, and the annual Hyde Park Winter Wonderland from 2007. Hyde Park
3990-507: The Domesday Book . The name is believed to be of Saxon origin, and means a unit of land, the hide , that was appropriate for the support of a single family and dependents. Through the Middle Ages , it was property of Westminster Abbey , and the woods in the manor were used both for firewood and shelter for game . Hyde Park was created for hunting by Henry Vlll in 1536 after he acquired
4104-541: The Embankment to Hyde Park protesting for votes for women . The first protest against the planned 2003 invasion of Iraq took place in Hyde Park on 28 September 2002, with 150,000–350,000 in attendance. A further series of demonstrations happened around the world, culminating in the 15 February 2003 anti-war protests , part of a global demonstration against the Iraq War . Over a million protesters are reported to have attended
4218-630: The Interregnum , Parliament ordered the then 620-acre (250 ha) park to be sold for "ready money". It realised £17,000 with an additional £765 6s 2d for the resident deer. Following the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, Charles II resumed ownership of Hyde Park and enclosed it with a brick wall. He restocked deer in what is now Buck Hill in Kensington Gardens. The May Day parade continued to be
4332-614: The Register of Historic Parks and Gardens since 1987. To the west, Hyde Park merges with Kensington Gardens . The dividing line runs approximately between Alexandra Gate to Victoria Gate via West Carriage Drive and the Serpentine Bridge. The Serpentine is to the south of the park area. Kensington Gardens has been separate from Hyde Park since 1728, when Queen Caroline divided them. Hyde Park covers 142 hectares (351 acres), and Kensington Gardens covers 111 hectares (274 acres), giving
4446-542: The 18th century. In 1861, George Francis Train experimented with a horse tramway system on Bayswater Road. Since February 2023, the western end of Bayswater Road has had the joint official name of Kyiv Road , done by Westminster Council as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine the previous year, as this section of the road runs close to the Russian Embassy . However, the renaming does not apply to addresses on
4560-559: The Countess of Bückeburg blamed on the incompetence of English doctors, but the following year she had another son, Prince George William , in November. At the baptism, George Augustus fell out with his father over the choice of godparents, leading to the couple's placement under house arrest at St James's Palace prior to their banishment from court. Caroline was originally allowed to stay with their children, but refused as she believed her place
4674-612: The Elector of Hanover was proclaimed her successor, becoming George I of Great Britain. George Augustus sailed to England in September 1714, and Caroline and two of her daughters followed in October. Her journey across the North Sea from The Hague to Margate was the only sea voyage she took in her life. Their young son, Prince Frederick, remained in Hanover for the rest of George I's reign, and
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4788-525: The Gold and Bronze medals for Team GB , and the 10 km open water swimming events. The park has also hosted the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final. Caroline of Ansbach Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Wilhelmina Charlotte Caroline; 1 March 1683 – 20 November 1737 ) was Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Electress of Hanover from 11 June 1727 until her death in 1737 as
4902-442: The Hyde Park event alone. The bandstand in Hyde Park was built in Kensington Gardens in 1869 and moved to its present location in 1886. It became a popular place for concerts in the 1890s, featuring up to three every week. Military and brass bands continued to play there into the 20th century. The music management company Blackhill Enterprises held the first rock concert in Hyde Park on 29 June 1968, attended by 15,000 people. On
5016-509: The Jacobites acknowledged her compassion, and her intervention on the side of mercy for their compatriots. During her lifetime her refusal to convert when offered the hand of Archduke Charles was used to portray her as a strong adherent to Protestantism. For example, John Gay wrote of Caroline in A Letter to A Lady (1714): Caroline was widely seen by both the public and the court as having great influence over her husband. A satirical verse of
5130-429: The King and George Augustus for the sake of public unity. Caroline wanted to regain her three eldest daughters, who remained in the care of the King, and thought the reconciliation would lead to their return, but negotiations came to nothing. George Augustus came to believe that Walpole had tricked him into the reconciliation as part of a scheme to gain power. The prince was isolated politically when Walpole's Whigs joined
5244-472: The King, and public disagreement over the money drove a further wedge between parents and son. On the advice of Walpole, Frederick's allowance was raised in an attempt to mitigate further conflict, but by less than he had asked. In June 1737, Frederick informed his parents that Augusta was pregnant, and due to give birth in October. In fact, Augusta's due date was earlier and a peculiar episode followed in July in which
5358-551: The King, who refused to remarry. Caroline was born on 1 March 1683 at Ansbach , the daughter of John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach , and his second wife, Princess Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach . Her father was the ruler of one of the smallest German states; he died of smallpox at the age of 32, when Caroline was three years old. Caroline and her only full sibling, her younger brother Margrave William Frederick , left Ansbach with their mother, who returned to her native Eisenach . In 1692, Caroline's widowed mother
5472-569: The Netherlands. Caroline wrote to her daughter of her "indescribable" sadness at the parting. Anne soon felt homesick and travelled back to England when her husband went on campaign. Eventually her husband and father commanded her to return to Holland. In mid-1735, Prince Frederick was further dismayed when Caroline, rather than himself, again acted as regent while the King was absent in Hanover. The King and Queen arranged Frederick's marriage, in 1736, to Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha . Shortly after
5586-439: 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. Pink Floyd returned to Hyde Park on 18 July 1970, playing new material from Atom Heart Mother . All of the early gigs from 1968 to 1971 were free events, contrasting sharply with the later commercial endeavours. Queen played a free concert organised by Richard Branson in
5700-533: The Serpentine Road when Park Lane was widened to traffic in 1961. South of the Serpentine is the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial , an oval stone ring fountain opened on 6 July 2004. To the east of the Serpentine, just beyond the dam, is Britain's Holocaust Memorial . The 7 July Memorial in the park commemorates the victims of 7 July 2005 London bombings . The Standing Stone is a 7 t (7.7-ton) monolith at
5814-615: The Serpentine in 1805. Hyde Park hosted a Great Fair in the summer of 1814 to celebrate the Allied sovereigns' visit to England , and exhibited various stalls and shows. The Battle of Trafalgar was re-enacted on the Serpentine, with a band playing the National Anthem while the French fleet sank into the lake. The coronation of King George IV in 1821 was celebrated with a fair in the park, including an air balloon and firework displays. One of
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#17328440108555928-454: The annual Winter Wonderland event, which features numerous Christmas-themed markets, along with various rides and attractions, alongside bars and restaurants. It has become one of the largest Christmas events in Europe, having attracted over 14 million visitors as of 2016, and has expanded to include the largest ice rink in London, live entertainment and circuses. On 18 September 2010, Hyde Park
6042-440: The baby died, a post-mortem was conducted to prove that the cause of death was disease (a polyp on the heart) rather than the separation from his mother. Further tragedy occurred in 1718, when she miscarried at Richmond Lodge , her country residence, after being startled by a violent storm. Over the next few years, Caroline had three more children: William , Mary and Louise . In July 1725, her 11th and final pregnancy ended in
6156-479: The baby made a supposititious child unlikely. The circumstances of the birth deepened the estrangement between mother and son. According to Lord Hervey, she once remarked after seeing Frederick, "Look, there he goes—that wretch!—that villain!—I wish the ground would open this moment and sink the monster to the lowest hole in hell!" In the final years of her life, Caroline was troubled by gout in her feet, but more seriously she had suffered an umbilical hernia at
6270-422: The bill were Pink Floyd , Roy Harper and Jethro Tull , while John Peel later said it was "the nicest concert I’ve ever been to". Subsequently, Hyde Park has featured some of the most significant concerts in rock. The supergroup Blind Faith (featuring Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood ) played their debut gig in Hyde Park on 7 June 1969. The Rolling Stones headlined a concert (later released as The Stones in
6384-403: The birth of her final child in 1724. On 9 November 1737, she felt an intense pain and, after struggling through a formal reception, took to her bed. Part of her small intestine had poked through the hernia opening. Over the next few days she was bled, purged, and operated on, without anaesthetic, but there was no improvement in her condition. George refused Frederick permission to see his mother,
6498-680: The building as being like, from a distance, "a medium-sized country house of Charles II’s time." Hyde Park was policed by the Metropolitan Police from 1867 until 1993, when policing of the park was handed over to the Royal Parks Constabulary. In 2004 this changed back to the Metropolitan Police, following a review of the Royal Parks Constabulary by Anthony Speed . {{{annotations}}} Hyde Park's Speakers' Corner has acquired an international reputation for demonstrations and other protests due to its tolerance of free speech . In 1855,
6612-476: The centre of the Dell, in the east of Hyde Park. Made of Cornish stone , it was originally part of a drinking fountain, though an urban legend was established, claiming it was brought from Stonehenge by Charles I. An assortment of unusual sculptures are scattered around the park, including: Still Water , a massive horse head lapping up water; Jelly Baby Family , a family of giant Jelly Babies standing on top of
6726-597: The comparison which you draw, though all too flattering, between me and Queen Elizabeth as a good omen. Like Elizabeth, the Electress's rights are denied her by a jealous sister [Queen Anne], and she will never be sure of the English crown until her accession to the throne." In June 1714, Sophia died in Caroline's arms at the age of 83, and Caroline's father-in-law became Queen Anne's heir presumptive . Just weeks later, Anne died, and
6840-611: The escape of wealthy convicts. Caroline pressed Walpole for reform, largely unsuccessfully. In March 1733, Walpole introduced an unpopular Excise Bill to parliament, which the Queen supported, but it gathered such strong opposition that it was eventually dropped. Caroline's entire life in Britain was spent in southeast England in or around London. As queen, she continued to surround herself with artists, writers and intellectuals. She collected jewellery, especially cameos and intaglios , acquired important portraits and miniatures, and enjoyed
6954-542: The face of Jacobite opposition. R. L. Arkell wrote "by her acumen and geniality, [Caroline] ensured the dynasty's rooting itself in England", and William Henry Wilkins said her "gracious and dignified personality, her lofty ideals and pure life did much to counteract the unpopularity of her husband and father-in-law, and redeem the early Georgian era from utter grossness." Although modern historians tend to believe that Hervey, Wilkins and Arkell have overestimated her importance, it
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#17328440108557068-401: The government, and Leicester House played host to literary figures and wits, such as John Arbuthnot and Jonathan Swift , rather than politicians. Arbuthnot told Swift that Caroline had enjoyed his Gulliver's Travels , particularly the tale of the crown prince who wore one high-heel and one low-heel in a country where the King and his party wore low heels, and the opposition wore high ones:
7182-690: The improvement plans were revisited. The grand entrance to the park at Hyde Park Corner was designed by Decimus Burton , and was constructed in the 1820s. Burton laid out the paths and driveways and designed a series of lodges, the Screen/Gate at Hyde Park Corner (also known as the Grand Entrance or the Apsley Gate) in 1825 and the Wellington Arch , which opened in 1828. The Screen and the Arch originally formed
7296-455: The late 18th century, plans were made to replace the old toll gate at Hyde Park Corner with a grander entrance, following the gentrification of the area surrounding it. The first design was put forward by Robert Adam in 1778 as a grand archway, followed by John Soane 's 1796 proposal to build a new palace adjacent to the corner in Green Park. Following the construction of Buckingham Palace ,
7410-457: The leading minister. Walpole commanded a substantial majority in Parliament and George II had little choice but to accept him or risk ministerial instability. Walpole secured a civil list payment of £100,000 a year for Caroline, and she was given both Somerset House and Richmond Lodge. Courtier Lord Hervey called Walpole "the Queen's minister" in recognition of their close relationship. For
7524-522: The manor of Hyde from the Abbey. It was enclosed as a deer park and remained a private hunting ground until James I permitted limited access to gentlefolk, appointing a ranger to take charge. In October 1619, keepers directed by Sir Thomas Watson ambushed deer poachers with hail shot, and the poachers killed a keeper. Charles I created the Ring (north of the present Serpentine boathouses), and in 1637 he opened
7638-611: The most important events to take place in Hyde Park was the Great Exhibition of 1851 . The Crystal Palace was constructed on the south side of the park. The public did not want the building to remain after the closure of the exhibition, and its architect, Joseph Paxton , raised funds and purchased it. He had it moved to Sydenham Hill in South London. Another significant event was the first Victoria Cross investiture, on 26 June 1857, when 62 men were decorated by Queen Victoria in
7752-516: The most important philosophy of physics discussion of the 18th century. She helped to popularise the practice of variolation (an early type of immunisation ), which had been witnessed by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and Charles Maitland in Constantinople . At the direction of Caroline, six condemned prisoners from Newgate Prison were offered the chance to undergo variolation instead of execution: they all survived, as did six orphan children given
7866-498: The next few years, the King and Queen fought a constant battle against their eldest son, Frederick, Prince of Wales, who had been left behind in Germany when they came to England. He joined the family in 1728, by which time he was an adult, had mistresses and debts, and was fond of gambling and practical jokes. He opposed his father's political beliefs, and complained of his lack of influence in government. The Regency Act 1728 made Caroline rather than Frederick regent when her husband
7980-521: The next seven years, Caroline had three more children, Anne , Amelia , and Caroline , all of whom were born in Hanover. George Augustus and Caroline had a successful and loving marriage, though he continued to keep mistresses, as was customary for the time. Caroline was aware of his infidelities; they were well known and he told her about them himself. His two best-known mistresses were Henrietta Howard, later Countess of Suffolk , and, beginning in 1735, Amalie von Wallmoden, Countess of Yarmouth . Howard
8094-489: The next ten years, Caroline had immense influence. She persuaded the King to adopt policies at the behest of Walpole, and persuaded Walpole against taking inflammatory actions. Caroline had absorbed the liberal opinions of her mentor, Queen Sophia Charlotte of Prussia, and supported clemency for the Jacobites (supporters of the rival Stuart claim to the throne), freedom of the press , and freedom of speech in Parliament. Over
8208-559: The northeast corner near Marble Arch ), close to the former site of the Tyburn gallows , and Rotten Row , which is the northern boundary of the site of the Crystal Palace . Flowers were first planted in Hyde Park in 1860 by William Andrews Nesfield . The next year, the Italian Water Garden was constructed at Victoria Gate, including fountains and a summer house . Queen Anne's Alcove was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and
8322-450: The old king's court had German courtiers and government ministers, while the Wales's court attracted English nobles who were out of favour with the King, and was considerably more popular with the British people. George Augustus and Caroline gradually became centres of the political opposition to the King. Two years after their arrival in England, Caroline suffered a stillbirth, which her friend
8436-410: The palace chapel at Herrenhausen . By May of the following year, Caroline was pregnant, and her first child Prince Frederick was born on 20 January 1707. A few months after the birth, in July, Caroline fell seriously ill with smallpox followed by pneumonia . Her baby was kept away from her, but George Augustus remained devotedly at her side, catching the infection himself. They both survived. Over
8550-586: The park as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. On 6 February, the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery , fired a 41-gun Royal Salute at Hyde Park Corner. On 20 July 1982, a Provisional Irish Republican Army bomb killed four soldiers and seven horses. A memorial was constructed to the left of the Albert Gate to commemorate the soldiers and horses killed in the blast. Since 2007, Hyde Park has played host to
8664-449: The park on 18 September 1976, partway through recording the album A Day at the Races . The band drew an audience of 150,000 – 200,000, which remains the largest crowd for a Hyde Park concert. The group were not allowed to play an encore, and police threatened to arrest frontman Freddie Mercury if he attempted to do so. The British Live 8 concert took place in Hyde Park on 2 July 2005, as
8778-487: The park to the general public. It quickly became a popular gathering place, particularly for May Day celebrations. At the start of the English Civil War in 1642, a series of fortifications were built along the east side of the park, including forts at what is now Marble Arch , Mount Street and Hyde Park Corner . The latter included a strongpoint where visitors to London could be checked and vetted. In 1652, during
8892-425: The period went: The memoirs of the 18th century, particularly those of John, Lord Hervey , fed perceptions that Caroline and Walpole governed her husband. Peter Quennell wrote that Hervey was the "chronicler of this remarkable coalition" and that she was Hervey's "heroine". Using such sources, biographers of the 19th and 20th centuries credit her with aiding the establishment of the House of Hanover in Britain, in
9006-417: The police force of the district in which any park, garden, or possession to which this Act applies is situate shall have the powers, privileges, and immunities of a park-keeper within such park, garden, or possession." Speakers' Corner became increasingly popular in the late 19th century. Visitors brought along placards, stepladders and soap boxes in order to stand out from others, while heckling of speakers
9120-407: The police had closed the park, the crowd managed to break down the perimeter railings and get inside, leading to the event being dubbed "The Hyde Park Railings Affair". After the protests turned violent, three squadrons of Horse Guards and numerous Foot Guards were sent out from Marble Arch to combat the situation. On 21 June 1908, as part of " Women's Sunday ", a reported 750,000 people marched from
9234-542: 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. A Metropolitan Police station ('AH') is situated in the middle of the park. Covering Hyde Park and sixteen other royal parks (mostly in London), the 1872 Parks Regulation Act formalised the position of "park keeper" and also provided that "Every police constable belonging to
9348-518: The presence of Prince Albert and other members of the Royal Family, including their future son-in-law Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia . The Hyde Park Lido sits on the south bank of the Serpentine. It opened in 1930 to provide improved support for bathing and sunbathing in the park, which had been requested by the naturist group, the Sunlight League. The Lido and accompanying Pavilion
9462-469: The previous one being Catherine of Aragon in the 16th century. Since George I had repudiated his wife, Sophia Dorothea of Celle , in 1694 before he became King of Great Britain, there was no queen consort , and Caroline was therefore the highest-ranking woman in the kingdom. George Augustus and Caroline made a concerted effort to "anglicise" by getting to know England's language, people, politics and customs. Two separate and very different courts developed:
9576-425: The prince, on discovering that his wife had gone into labour, sneaked her out of Hampton Court Palace in the middle of the night, to ensure that the King and Queen could not be present at the birth. George and Caroline were horrified. Traditionally, royal births were witnessed by members of the family and senior courtiers to guard against supposititious children, and Augusta had been forced by her husband to ride in
9690-469: The road, as they have historically been addressed as part of the adjacent street. J. M. Barrie lived at No. 100 Bayswater Road from 1902 to 1909, where he wrote Peter Pan . The street is where the fictional upper-middle class Forsyte family live in John Galsworthy 's The Forsyte Saga . The Bayswater Road Art Show takes place every Sunday. It is the largest regular open-air art exhibition in
9804-401: The same treatment as a further test. Convinced of its medical value, Caroline had her children Amelia, Caroline and Frederick inoculated against smallpox in the same manner. In praising her support for smallpox inoculation, Voltaire wrote of her, "I must say that despite all her titles and crowns, this princess was born to encourage the arts and the well-being of mankind; even on the throne she
9918-545: The sister of George, Elector of Hanover . She was renowned for her intelligence and strong character, and her uncensored and liberal court attracted a great many scholars, including philosopher Gottfried Leibniz . Caroline was exposed to a lively intellectual environment quite different from anything she had experienced previously. Before she began her education under Sophia Charlotte's care, Caroline had received little formal education; her handwriting remained poor throughout her life. With her lively mind, Caroline developed into
10032-492: The visual arts. She commissioned works such as terracotta busts of the kings and queens of England from Michael Rysbrack , and supervised a more naturalistic design of the royal gardens by William Kent and Charles Bridgeman . In 1728, she rediscovered sets of sketches by Leonardo da Vinci and Hans Holbein that had been hidden in a drawer since the reign of William III . Caroline's eldest daughter, Anne, married William IV of Orange in 1734 and moved with her husband to
10146-584: The wedding, George went to Hanover, and Caroline resumed her role as "Protector of the Realm". As regent, Caroline considered the reprieve of Captain John Porteous , who had been convicted of murder in Edinburgh . Before she could act, a mob stormed the jail where he was held and killed him. Caroline was appalled. George's absences abroad were leading to unpopularity, and in late 1736 he made plans to return, but his ship
10260-491: The western end. Citations Sources Hyde Park, London Hyde Park is a 350-acre (140 ha), historic Grade I-listed urban park in Westminster , Greater London . A Royal Park , it is the largest of the parks and green spaces that form a chain from Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, via Hyde Park Corner and Green Park , past Buckingham Palace to St James's Park . Hyde Park
10374-594: The wife of King George II . Caroline's father, Margrave John Frederick of Brandenburg-Ansbach , belonged to a branch of the House of Hohenzollern and was the ruler of a small German state, the Principality of Ansbach . After Caroline was orphaned at a young age, she moved to the enlightened court of her guardians, King Frederick I and Queen Sophia Charlotte of Prussia . At the Prussian court , her previously limited education
10488-545: The world. Lancaster Gate and Queensway stations (both on the London Underground 's Central line ) are located on Bayswater Road. Bayswater tube station is located near Queensway station and is on the Circle and District Lines. London bus routes 94 and 148 run along the whole length of Bayswater Road. Bus route 274 starts at Lancaster Gate station in the road and serves the eastern part, while bus route 70 serves
10602-454: Was a former government minister. Walpole rejoined the government in 1720, and George Augustus reconciled publicly with his father on Walpole's advice. Over the next few years Walpole rose to become the leading minister. Upon her husband's accession in 1727, Caroline became queen and electress, and her eldest son, Frederick , became Prince of Wales. He was a focus for the opposition, like his father before him, and Caroline's relationship with him
10716-435: Was a youth with little interest in parenting a girl, and so Caroline soon moved to Lützenburg outside Berlin , where she entered into the care of her new guardians, Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg , and his wife, Sophia Charlotte , who had been a friend of Eleonore Erdmuthe. Frederick and Sophia Charlotte became king and queen of Prussia in 1701. The Queen was the daughter of Sophia, Dowager Electress of Hanover , and
10830-417: Was brought up by private tutors. On the accession of George I in 1714, George Augustus automatically became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay . Shortly afterwards, he was invested as Prince of Wales , whereupon Caroline became Princess of Wales. She was the first woman to receive the title at the same time as her husband received his. She was also the first Princess of Wales in over two hundred years,
10944-562: Was caught in poor weather, and it was rumoured that he had been lost at sea. Caroline was devastated, and disgusted by the insensitivity of her son, who hosted a grand dinner while the gale was blowing. During her regency, Frederick attempted to start a number of quarrels with his mother, whom he saw as a useful proxy to irritate the King. George eventually returned in January 1737. Frederick applied to Parliament unsuccessfully for an increased financial allowance that had hitherto been denied him by
11058-425: Was considered for the hand of Archduke Charles of Austria , who was a candidate for the throne of Spain and later became Holy Roman Emperor. Charles made official overtures to her in 1703, and the match was encouraged by King Frederick of Prussia. After some consideration, Caroline refused in 1704, as she would not convert from Lutheranism to Catholicism . Early in the following year, Queen Sophia Charlotte died on
11172-574: Was designed by John Dixon Butler , who was the forces's surveyor between 1895 and 1920. For the police, he completed around 200 buildings, including the Former New Scotland Yard, Norman Shaw South Building (assisting Richard Norman Shaw); the adjoining Canon Row Police Station ; Bow Road Police Station, Tower Hamlets ; Tower Bridge Magistrates Court and adjoining Police Station ; and 19–21 Great Marlborough Street, Westminster (court and police station). The architectural historian describes
11286-583: Was designed by the Commissioner of Works, George Lansbury , and was half funded by a £5,000 (now equivalent to £399,000) donation from Major Colin Cooper (1892–1938). It still sees regular use in the summer. Hyde Park has been a major venue for several Royal jubilees and celebrations. For the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887, a party was organised on 22 June where around 26,000 school children were given
11400-456: Was done to deter highwaymen . In 1749, Horace Walpole was robbed while travelling through the park from Holland House . The row was used by the wealthy for riding in the early 19th century. Hyde Park was a popular duelling spot during the 18th century, with 172 taking place, causing 63 deaths. The Hamilton–Mohun Duel took place there in 1712, when Charles Mohun, 4th Baron Mohun , fought James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton . Baron Mohun
11514-508: Was formed by damming the River Westbourne , which runs through the park from Kilburn towards the Thames. It is divided from the Long Water by a bridge designed by George Rennie in 1826. The work was completed in 1733. The 2nd Viscount Weymouth was made Ranger of Hyde Park in 1739 and shortly after began digging the Serpentine lakes at Longleat . A powder magazine was built north of
11628-554: Was in Hanover for five months from May 1729. During her regency, a diplomatic incident with Portugal (where a British ship had been seized on the Tagus ) was defused, and the negotiation of the Treaty of Seville between Britain and Spain was concluded. From May 1732, she was regent for four months while George II was again away in Hanover. An investigation into the penal system uncovered widespread abuses, including cruel treatment and conspiracy in
11742-521: Was killed instantly, and the Duke died shortly afterwards. John Wilkes fought Samuel Martin in 1772, the year in which Richard Brinsley Sheridan duelled with Captain Thomas Mathews over the latter's libellous comments about Sheridan's fiancée, Elizabeth Ann Linley . Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow , fought Andrew Stuart in a Hyde Park duel in 1770. Military executions were common in Hyde Park at this time; John Rocque's Map of London, 1746 , marks
11856-478: Was moved to the park from its original location in Kensington Gardens. During the late 20th century, over 9,000 elm trees in Hyde Park were killed by Dutch elm disease . This included many trees along the great avenues planted by Queen Caroline, which were ultimately replaced by limes and maples. The park now holds 4 acres (1.6 ha) of greenhouses which hold the bedding plants for the Royal Parks. A scheme
11970-473: Was not fooled by the prince's disguise, and found her suitor attractive. He was the heir apparent of his father's Electorate of Hanover and third-in-line to the English throne, then held by his distant cousin Queen Anne , after his grandmother Dowager Electress Sophia and his father the Elector. On 22 August 1705, Caroline arrived in Hanover for her wedding to George Augustus; they were married that evening in
12084-403: Was not invited to the funeral. George Frideric Handel composed an anthem for the occasion, The Ways of Zion Do Mourn / Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline . George arranged for a pair of matching coffins with removable sides, so that when he followed her to the grave (23 years later), they could lie together again. Caroline was widely mourned. The Protestants lauded her moral example, and even
12198-519: Was one of Caroline's Women of the Bedchamber and became Mistress of the Robes when her husband inherited a peerage in 1731; she retired in 1734. In contrast with George Augustus and his mother, Sophia Dorothea , Caroline was known for her marital fidelity; she never made any embarrassing scenes nor did she take lovers. She preferred her husband's mistresses to be her ladies-in-waiting so that she could keep
12312-500: Was popular. The rise of the Internet, particularly blogs, has diminished the importance of Speakers' Corner as a political platform, and it is increasingly seen as simply a tourist attraction. As well as Speakers' Corner, several important mass demonstrations have occurred in Hyde Park. On 26 July 1886, the Reform League staged a march from their headquarters towards the park, campaigning for increased suffrage and representation. Though
12426-632: Was pushed into an unhappy marriage with the Elector of Saxony , and she and her two children moved to the Saxon court at Dresden . Eleonore Erdmuthe was widowed again two years later, after her unfaithful husband contracted smallpox from his mistress. Eleonore remained in Saxony for another two years, until her death in 1696. The orphaned Caroline and William Frederick returned to Ansbach to stay with their elder half-brother, Margrave George Frederick II . George Frederick
12540-486: Was strained. As princess and as queen, Caroline was known for her political influence, which she exercised both through and for Walpole. Her tenure included four regencies, which occurred during George II's stays in Hanover ; she is credited with strengthening the House of Hanover 's place in Britain during a period of political instability. After her death in 1737, Caroline was widely mourned by her political allies as well as by
12654-816: Was the Floyd's final live performance. Acts from each of the four nations in the UK played a gig in the park as part of the opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics . The headliners were Duran Duran , representing England, alongside the Stereophonics for Wales, Paolo Nutini for Scotland, and Snow Patrol for Northern Ireland. Since 2011, Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park has taken place each September. The British Summer Time series of concerts have taken place every summer in Hyde Park since 2013, and have included performances by Black Sabbath , Neil Young , Celine Dion and Bon Jovi . Local residents have become critical of Hyde Park as
12768-589: Was the setting for a prayer vigil with Pope Benedict XVI as part of his visit to the United Kingdom , attended by around 80,000 people. A large crowd assembled along the Mall to see the Pope arrive for his address. An attempt to assassinate the Pope had been foiled after five people dressed as street cleaners were spotted within a mile of Hyde Park, and arrested along with a sixth suspect. They were later released without charge as police said they posed no credible threat. During
12882-462: Was widened and she adopted the liberal outlook possessed by Sophia Charlotte, who became her good friend and whose views influenced Caroline all her life. When she was a young woman, Caroline was much sought-after as a bride. After rejecting the suit of Archduke Charles of Austria , a claimant to the Spanish throne, she married George Augustus, who was third in line to the English throne (and subsequently
12996-478: Was with George Augustus. The couple moved into Leicester House , while their children remained in the care of the King. Caroline fell sick with worry, and fainted during a secret visit to her children made without the King's approval. By January, the King had relented and allowed Caroline unrestricted access. In February, Prince George William fell ill, and the King allowed both George Augustus and Caroline to see him at Kensington Palace without any conditions. When
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