Area guide: Hyde Park Estate

Hyde Park is one of London's most exclusive residential areas and boasts some of its best homes, restaurants and shops, particularly around the fashionable area at Connaught Village. This part of London was relatively undeveloped during the city's huge growth period in the 18th century, largely because of its close association with the nearby Tyburn Gallows.

There were very few buildings in the Hyde Park Estate until 1795, when the Bishop of London obtained powers to grant building leases that large-scale building could begin. As a result of this, Connaught Square was one of the first sections to be erected.

The architecture is typical of the late Georgian period, with dark brick work and white stucco features. The homes have altered very little since they were built over 200 years ago.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are technically two distinct parks, but in practical terms they are one huge, merging expanse. The ‘split’ dates back to 1728 when Queen Caroline, wife of George II, took 300 acres from Hyde Park to form Kensington Gardens.

Highlights

The area benefits from a high standard of facilities and services as a result of the high concentration of quality property. There is a wide choice of public transport links, with many underground stations in close proximity including,, Marble Arc (Central Line), Edgware Road (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Bakerloo lines), Paddington (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines) and Lancaster Gate (Central line).

Hyde Park itself is one of the best city centre parks in the world. All the more awe-inspiring because it creates a line of green space across the city with Kensington Gardens, Green Park and St James's Park.

Location

Hyde Park Estate is framed by Sussex Gardens to the north, Bayswater Road to the south, Edgware Road to the east and Lancaster Gate to the west. Hyde Park Estate, and its charming Connaught Village, retains much of its period character despite the wartime bombings of the last century.

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