A Trip Around Two Of London's Most Iconic Monuments

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If you ask a Londoner to pick their top 10 landmarks in the capital city the one that you are about to learn about (below) will feature on that top ten list.

The landmark in question is flanked by an area of green space that gives those working in the Centre, a place to escape to on their lunch break, where you can enjoy an enormous lake, the Diana Memorial Fountain and lots of unique art installations on the way there.

So without any further ado, let’s begin with the landmark.


Marble Arch: it's history and strength
Marble Arch is one of the historic and iconic landmarks in London. Designed by John Nash in 1825, the arch was originally constructed as a ceremonial gateway to Buckingham Palace. Historically, only the royal family was permitted to pass through the arch.

The arch was designed similar to the Arch of Constantine in Rome, and the sculptured relief features the Battle of Waterloo and naval engagements. It was intended to celebrate the British victories during the Napoleonic Wars.

Marble Arch on the move
In 1850, the arch was dismantled and moved to the corner of Hyde Park at Cumberland Gate. From 1850 to 1968, the three small rooms in the Marble Arch were used as a police station. The police station housed the royal constables and the Metropolitan Police.

One of the most famous policemen who worked at the Marble Arch was Samuel Parkes. Samuel Parkes was in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War and won the Victoria Cross.

The Marble Arch is one of the most visited landmarks in London, and there are many hotels near Marble Arch. Many of the hotels near Marble Arch range from lux to budget. The Hyatt Regency, Marriot and Best Western are just several of the popular hotels near Marble Arch.

The history of London's Hyde Park
In the early 1500's, King Henry VIII confiscated the grounds of Hyde Park from the monks at Westminster Abbey. The king used the land for hunting, and King Charles I opened the area to the public in 1636. In 1740, Queen Caroline has the artificial Lake Serpentine developed in Hyde Park, and the lake is popular today for boating and swimming.

What to see when visiting Hyde Park
Hyde Park is also home to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. The memorial was designed by architect Kathryn Gustafson and consists of 545 pieces of Cornish granite with water flowing from the two sides and into a pool. In 2004, Queen Elisabeth II inaugurated the memorial.

Speakers Corner

Hyde Park is also renowned for the Speaker's Corner. The Speaker's Corner was created as a venue where citizens could speak freely on political or religious views. During the 19th century, the Speaker's Corner became a popular meeting place for citizens. The Speaker's Corner was established as a result of riots in the city in 1872. Police tried to dismantle citizens during a protest, and the citizens felt that they needed a safe venue to demonstrate.

Due to the popularity of the area, there are many hotels near Hyde Park,  such as the fabulous LancasterLondon.com Many of the hotels near Hyde Park offer amenities, such as concierge services and indoor pools. The hotels near Hyde Park are also conveniently located close to the Tube.

Featured images:

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•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://depositphotos.com/8066146/stock-photo-Hyde-Park-London-United-Kingdom.html?sqc=30&sqm=585&sq=15u1h7
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Stephanie Pritchard is a travel writer based in London. When she's not out and about on the highstreet, she can be found avidly reading travel books and illustrated travelogues.