London has many world renown Parks such as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens but no more so than Green Park, in Mayfair. Green Park is part of what is known as the Royal Parks and spans more than sixteen hectares.
Green Park together with neighbouring St. James Park and Hyde Park forms a band of green that is said to form the heart of London.
There are many sights to visit within the vicinity such as the most famous site in London that of Buckingham Palace. Within the locality are Clarence House, the Royal Mews, St James Park, Constitution Hill, The Mall, and of course the very famous hotel
The Ritz.
Buckingham Palace is the home and offices of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, the Queen of England. When her Majesty is present at the Palace the Royal Standard (flag) is flown. The Palace is used for many royal and ceremonial occasions. Queen Victoria was the first Monarch to live in Buckingham Palace. The Palace is open to the public every autumn when the royal family are away. Visitors may also wish to watch the changing of the guard - a magical, military ceremony which takes place at 11:30am and lasts for approximately forty-five minutes.
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is one of the finest examples of working stables in the world; it is home to more than thirty horses and their handlers and families. Most of the horses are Cleveland Bays, the favoured breed of the monarchy.
Clarence House most famous resident was the Queen Mother until her death in 2002. Clarence House is now the official residence of the Prince of Wales, and has been in the past a residence of the Queen. Some of the rooms in the house are open between August and October, an opportunity to see some of the Queens personal collection of art.
Lepers were originally buried in Green Park because of its swampy ground; it also became a hunting ground for Henry VIII. As with all other parks in Central London it became a public park sometime in the 17th Century. The park had other uses as well, early hot air balloon flights, firework displays, in fact Handels famous work Music for Royal Fireworks was written for such an occasion, many a duel was also fought in Green Park. Green Park is totally absent of flowers within its boundaries, though there is an awesome display of Daffodils in springtime.
Locations very near Green Park that offer Shopping, Entertainment and Culture are
Knightsbridge.
Oxford Street,
Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, and others and all are within a five minute ride on the London Underground.
