<Tr> <Th> Known for </Th> <Td> Equestrianism </Td> </Tr> <P> Coordinates: 51 ° 30 ′ 13.25" N 0 ° 9 ′ 59" W ﻿ / ﻿ 51.5036806 ° N 0.16639 ° W ﻿ / 51.5036806; - 0.16639 </P> <P> Rotten Row is a broad track running for 1,384 metres (4,541 ft) along the south side of Hyde Park in London . It leads from Hyde Park Corner to Serpentine Road . During the 18th and 19th centuries, Rotten Row was a fashionable place for upper - class Londoners to be seen horse riding . Today it is maintained as a place to ride horses in the centre of London, but it is little used . Rotten Row was established by William III at the end of the 17th century . Having moved court to Kensington Palace, William wanted a safer way to travel to St. James's Palace . He created the broad avenue through Hyde Park, lit with 300 oil lamps in 1690--the first artificially lit highway in Britain . The lighting was a precaution against highwaymen, who lurked in Hyde Park at the time . The track was called Route du Roi, French for King's Road, which was eventually corrupted into "Rotten Row". </P> <P> In the 18th century, Rotten Row became a popular meeting place for upper - class Londoners . Particularly on weekend evenings and at midday, people dressed in their finest clothes to ride along the row and be seen . The adjacent South Carriage Drive was used by society people in carriages for the same purpose . In 1876, it was reconstructed as a horse - ride, with a brick base covered by sand . </P>

Avenue of hyde park uks first artificially lit highway