Serpentine: A short story from the world of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust

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This book is more like a documentary of Charles Sobhraj’s life than a novel. The way Thomas Thompson has written it though, reads more like a murder novel. But Hyde Park remained a private park until James I came to the throne in 1603 – he opened the gates to a well-heeled group of courtiers and socialites, making the park a rather exclusive club. This all changed in 1637 when King Charles I opened the park to the general public. Hyde Park and the Stuarts Importantly, if you are ill or fall into one of the vulnerable groups, then you must postpone your visit

Serpentine Galleries Serpentine Galleries

Created as an ornamental lake in 1730, the Serpentine has been a recreational landmark for central London for almost 300 years, used for boating and swimming. Not chlorinated or heated, it also attracts wildlife, including wading birds. The Serpentine Lido Swimming Club is the oldest in the capital, with early morning access to the lake from 6am, as well as holding the famous annualPeter Pan Cup, which sees hardy swimmers take to the freezing waters on Christmas Day morning. Don't worry about etiquette, I think swimmers are very welcoming. However, I asked the Royal parks dude to put up a bit more info for non-locals like us.Thompson joined Life Magazine in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life he covered the JFK assassination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, in which he revealed the group's extensive drug use; an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged Mafia ties; and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor. The famous trumpeter, Harry Mortimer, described Hyde Park's bandstand as "uncomfortable, unsanitary, but much loved". He did a week's engagement on the bandstand during World War II in 1944 with the Fodens Motor Works Band. He wrote in his autobiography: Stop by and enjoy a lunch, an indulgent cream tea, hot chocolate or coffee at any of our cafés or kiosks – and look out for our vintage ice cream vans too. Our cafés and kiosks

Barnor: Accra/London - A Retrospective - Serpentine James Barnor: Accra/London - A Retrospective - Serpentine

The landscape of today’s Hyde Park remains much as it has been since Queen Caroline’s innovative relandscaping. Hyde Park in the 1800s Our cafés – the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, the Serpentine Lido Café, the Park Sports Café, and The Lodge Café at Hyde Park Corner – all serve delicious and sustainably prepared hot and cold food with vegan, vegetarian, and other dietary options. Every venue has outdoor and indoor seating, so no matter the weather, you can eat and drink in comfort.

Try something different each time you visit

No cloakroom. Avoid bringing bulky coats or large holdalls or wheelie bags. Only one, reasonably-sized, personal bag per visitor will be permitted For a more tranquil visit, explore the winding paths and picturesque meadows in the north of the park or head for the rose garden, near to sandy Rotten Row – a historic route that ran from Kensington Palace to Whitehall.