Portal:London/Did you know


 * …that Hyde Park is larger than the Principality of Monaco; and has been a Royal park since 1536. It was also the site of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and is open to the public until midnight.
 * …that Victoria Park was laid out between 1842–1846, partially on the former hunting grounds of the Bishop of London. It contains two alcoves from old London Bridge; and the oldest model boat club in the world &mdash; the Victoria Model Steam Boat Club, founded in the Park on 15 July 1904.
 * …that Battersea Park was opened in 1858, but on 21 March 1829, the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchilsea met on 'Battersea fields' to settle a matter of honour. In 1951 the park was transformed into the "Festival Gardens" as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations.
 * …that The Beatles shot films to accompany their songs "Paperback Writer" and "Rain" in the grounds of Chiswick House.
 * …that the Artillery Ground was set aside in 1498 for shooting and archery; and was home to the original London Cricket Club. It remains in use by the Honourable Artillery Company, who have owned this private open space since 1638.


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