These are wonderful photos, Neil. I have enjoyed the stroll through the park.

My husband and I were there in the late 1960s. It looks so much nicer now than I remember it. I do remember Speakers' Corner. That was very odd.

Thanks for the trip!

Dear Nancy, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! I did enjoy it wandering around although it was the hottest day of the year so far at 88F. As an ex Head Gardener, I could see a few faults, but the amount of people they have to deal with is astonishing, although not as much as Greenwich where I used to work. I went there in 1978 to see Pink Floyd play live, and in 1968 the Rolling Stones played there.
Now everyone has been there and it is used by Capital Radio for the Summer Ball concert and the Jingle Bells Ball concert near Christmas. !75,000 tickets went on sale recently for the Summer Ball.
They estimate that 200,000 + will use it for the Royal Wedding, I hope they take there rubbish with them!
Wait for the next one with Kensington Gardens and the rest of Hyde Park (south), that will be out soon.
Kindest regards
Neil.
p.s. Hugs from Peter Pan!

Neil, thank you so much for the wonderful walk through Hyde Park. What a joy it was to see such wonderful things and hear the history behind some it.
I was amazed at the color of the Mandarin Duck. I had never seen one before. What stunning colors.
All of it fascinated me. Thank you so much for the trip.

Dear Lynn, if I put all the History on it you would be there for two weeks reading it! As the next part has Kensington Gardens in it as well which are a mere 275 acres it was a lot of walking! Then there is Green Park another Royal Park, and St. James Park. Kensington Palace was the London Home of Princess Diana.
Mandarin Ducks are lovely and are common here, I agree they are pretty things, well the males are!
Most Royal Parks have them and they have spread to our normal parks of which there are 1,471 in London.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Kindest Regards.
Neil.

I love the history parts. Seems to give so much more meaning to things. : )

Dear Lynn, I do hope you see Part 2!
Regards.
Neil.

OH Neal...what a TREAT!!! As a young woman I lived in London a short while....and I would walk from the home of folks I stayed with over to Marble Arch every day and back...and would stop and enjoy...great pubs on the outskirts for some 'banger and mash'...

What a lovely treat to have you for a guide, too...your love of the gardens came shining through!!!

Aloha,
Carol

Dear Carol, you are still a young lady! I love Sausage mash and onion gravy, anytime of the day! You told me once you lived near there and I have a good memory indeed, so it was a treat for both of us!
It was the hottest day of the year at 88F, which is hot for us. But I met some old friends who I worked with when I was in charge at Greenwich.
Glad you enjoyed it and watch out for Part 2 as I dip into Kensington Gardens and then back down the south side of the serpentine!

Regards.
Neil.

I good walk for those of us who can no longer do it. Problem with visiting is that time is short & one misses so much.

Neil I knew when I saw your name I was about to enjoy a unique treat. Thanks dear friend for the beautiful pics and interesting article.

I will definitely be watching for the next one Neil.

Neil...you definitely ARE a Prince among men. How lucky your wife and friends/family are!!! Thank you!!

Carol

What a lovely and beautiful tour. Thank you so much. Your photos are stunning.

I had never heard the term pleaching so that was fun and I love the wind break.

I liked the cottage and boat house too. The boat house was different than any I've ever seen.

I saw the Rolling Stones in the 60's too, here in the USA. I would never have thought you were old enough to see them in the 60's.

I so appreciate seeing your lovely part of the world. Thank you for sharing it.

vic

Dear Vicki, I was not old enough to see the Stones in the 60s. I went to see Pink Floyd in 1978!
Kylie Manouge has just bought a flat overlooking Hyde park at a cost of £16 million for a 99 year lease!
Kensington Palace Gardens is the most expensive place in the world to buy a property, as is Mayfair which runs along the side of the Park.
You would need more than $10 to get a meal in the Restaurants there.
I do hope you see Part 2 when I dip into Kensington Gardens and loop back to the south side of the serpentine!
Regards and Hugs.
Neil.

I can't wait for Part 2

vic

Neil, I just love your articles, and taking that virtual walk with you! Tha park is really lovely, and those mandarin ducks are so pretty!
Thanks again for the wonderful photo's, and descriptions!

Dear Linda, I hope you will enjoy Part 2 as well.

Neil.

Looking forward to it!

Thanks for capturing this park in spring for us Neil I can't wait for the next installment

Dear Dahlianut, I am most pleased you enjoyed the first bit and I do hope that you may enjoy the second Part!
Kindest Regards.
Neil.