One of London's most famous green spaces, Hyde Park is a 350-acre Royal Park and a Grade I-listed historic landmark in Westminster. Originally established by Henry VIII in 1536 as a private hunting ground, it opened to the public in 1637 and has played host to centuries of public gatherings, parades, and events—including the Great Exhibition of 1851. Today, visitors enjoy its scenic lakes, historic monuments, and Speaker's Corner, a symbol of free speech and public assembly.