Located right in the middle of London, Hyde Park is a huge patch of green and blue tranquillity in the midst of the bustling city. Covering 350 acres, it features restaurants, fountains, monuments and flower gardens, and offers a range of activities including ice skating, swimming, boating, tennis, cycling and horse riding. There are also playgrounds for children and spaces for team sports. One of Hyde Park's most famous attractions is Speaker's Corner, when people of all opinions come to share them freely. While Speaker's Corner attracts its fair share of crackpots, there are usually lively debates, and famous personalities like Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell were participants in their day.

Address: London

E-mail: hyde@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Website: www.royalparks.org.uk/hyde

Telephone: (0)300 061 2000

Transport: Within walking distance of Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge underground stations

Opening times: Open daily from 5am to midnight. Speaker's Corner held on Sundays, from mid-morning to late afternoon

Admission: Free admission