Run in London - Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

The largest

Hyde Park is London's largest park and one of the capital's nine Royal Parks, measuring over two kilometres in length and almost a kilometre in width. Its surface area of 140 hectares, added to that of Kensington Gardens, gives a total surface area of 250 hectares. So it's easy to run around it, but it's also easy to wander around and miss the essentials... But urbirun is here.

400 years ago

Hyde Park was confiscated from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1532 by King Henry VIII, who turned it into a hunting reserve. The park was opened to the public in 1637 by King Charles I. It adjoins Kensington Gardens, from which it is separated by a lake, the Serpentine. You will be guided towards the Albert Memorial, and through the neighbouring park of Kensington Gardens, the Italian Gardens, several charming lakes, with a short diversions to admire Marble Arch.

Iconic

And of course, you'll pass by the legendary Speaker's Corner, the north-east corner of Hyde Park where anyone can speak freely, saying anything and everything, any way they like, but only on Sundays. It's a show not to be missed, and a fine (and sometimes comical) example of democracy!

Bonus

Many other routes are available in London in .gpx format, to explore London or its many parks. Don't hesitate to visit the urbirun .gpx shop.
You can also run some of our 5 audio-guided tourist running routes to discover the English capital in running shoes.