Portal:London/Did you know/04 2009


 * …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. Rotten Row (pictured) was created by William III as a private avenue to travel through Hyde Park, between Kensington Palace and St James's Palace. It became a fashionable place to ride; but today is principally used by the Household Cavalry to exercise their horses.
 * …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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