Hyde Park, which opened to the public in 1637, is the largest of several royal parks in London that are connected to each other, forming one large green lung in the center of the city. The park is famous for its Speaker's Corner.. It is also a popular place for jogging, swimming, rowing, picnicking and even horse riding.
In 1536 King Henry VIII confiscated Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey. It was used primarily for hunting. King Charles I opened the park to the public in 1637. The current park
layout was planned by architect Decimus Burton in 1825.