News Update:

Notice of AGM Wednesday 6th July, 2022 at 6pm.

We are holding our 2022 AGM on Wednesday 6th July 2022 at 6pm, at The Lookout, Hyde Park. Please go to the Event Section for more information

Events Update:

Bandstand Concerts

Sunday Aug 7th South London Jazz Orchestra
Sunday Aug 21st The Melodians (Steel band)
Saturday Sep 10th Orquesto Mambarito (South American Salsa band)
Sunday Sep 18th Snowdown Colliery Welfare Band (traditional brass band)

Friends Newsletters

Newsletters, covering a range of Park related topics, have been written by the Friends. Please go to the ‘News’ Section for more information.

History of the Friends

The association was founded in 1991 by Philip Joseph, who was its President until his death in October 2015. The Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens (FHPKG) was formed to ensure that the voice of public users of the Parks was heard, taking into account the mounting pressure the Parks face to fund their upkeep via commercial events.

While recognising that commercial imperatives are unavoidable, the Friends wanted to make sure that a reasonable balance was achieved between them and ensuring the peace and beauty of the parks remain available for everyone’s enjoyment.

In 2016 the Friends gained charitable status.

The name “Rotten Row” is actually a corruption of the French “Route de Roi” or King’s Road. King William III installed 300 oil lamps along it at the end of the 17th century, making it the first artificially lit highway in
the country.