<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park </Td> </Tr> <P> Hyde Park is a Grade I - listed major park in Central London . It is the largest of four Royal Parks that form a chain from the entrance of Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, via Hyde Park Corner and Green Park past the main entrance to Buckingham Palace . The park is divided by the Serpentine and the Long Water . </P> <P> The park was established by Henry VIII in 1536 when he took the land from Westminster Abbey and used it as a hunting ground . It opened to the public in 1637 and quickly became popular, particularly for May Day parades . Major improvements occurred in the early 18th century under the direction of Queen Caroline . Several duels took place in Hyde Park during this time, often involving members of the nobility . The Great Exhibition of 1851 was held in the park, for which The Crystal Palace, designed by Joseph Paxton, was erected . </P> <P> Free speech and demonstrations have been a key feature of Hyde Park since the 19th century . Speaker's Corner has been established as a point of free speech and debate since 1872, while the Chartists, the Reform League, the suffragettes, and the Stop the War Coalition have all held protests there . In the late 20th century, the park became known for holding large - scale free rock music concerts, featuring groups such as Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Queen . Commercial concerts have continued into the 21st century, such as Live 8 in 2005 . </P>

When did hyde park open to the public