Native Hyde Park

Ultimate Guide to Hyde Park Gigs 2019

Celine Dion
5 July 2019

The mega-voiced superstar will come to us fresh from her record-breaking Las Vegas residency, ready to headline the opening night of British Summer Time festival. As her fans know, her live shows are extraordinary, and she’ll be joined by heartthrob crooner Josh Groban and Claire Richards (the one from Steps with the great voice), so you’re in for a summer night full of soulful ballads and vocal acrobatics.

Stevie Wonder
6 July 2019

There are few music superstars as celebrated and adored as Stevie Wonder. The singer, songwriter, musician and producer will be bringing The Stevie Wonder Song Party: A Celebration of Life, Love & Music to Hyde Park, joined by very special guest Lionel Richie. Two legends for the price of one!

Barbra Streisand
7 July 2019

Diva extraordinaire Barbra Streisand has got London buzzing before she’s even taken to the stage. Iconic as an actress and activist along with her unmistakable vocals, expect her super-fans to be out in force. They’ll be hoping for classic songbook staples like Woman In Love, The Way We Were and Rain on My Parade, along with tracks from last year’s album Walls, her first collection of original songs since 2005.

Bob Dylan
12 July 2019

He’s one of the world’s most iconic singer-songwriters, a ten-time Grammy winner, was even awarded a Nobel Prize in 2016 – and this summer, he’s playing Hyde Park. Known as the soundtrack to a generation for over five decades, he’ll take you on a journey through folk, rock and beyond. Armed with his trusty guitar and brilliant band, he’ll also be joined by another living legend…

Neil Young
12 July 2019

Sending classic rock fans into raptures by playing on the same night as Dylan will be Canadian troubadour Neil Young. His classic albums like Harvest, After The Goldrush and On The Beach are still agreed to be some of the best in the genre and, this year, he’ll be bringing his band, Promise of the Real, which just happens to feature two of Willie Nelson’s sons. And you thought the night couldn’t get any cooler.

Florence + The Machine
13 July 2019

Riding high from the success of her fourth album, High As Hope, Florence Welch will be gracing Hyde Park with her otherworldly voice and belt-along hits from the last decade. Known for their festival-filling live performances, you can bet that Florence and her band will be kicking off the night in style.

The National
13 July 2019

Sharing the stage with Florence will be festival favourites The National. The American indie superstars have a huge British following and a recent UK number 1 album under their belt, plus they’ll be joined by support acts like Lykke Li, Blood Orange and Marlon Williams. Get ready to rock out – this is going to be an unforgettable night.

Robbie Williams
14 July 2019

Back in the day, Robbie was the cheeky, warbling, waistcoat-wearing youngest member of Take That. Today, he’s a national treasure in his own right after storming the music scene for nearly 30 years, and all on his own terms. He’s responsible for six of the top 100 best-selling albums in British history and it’s accolades like this that have him judging on X Factor, playing 12 nights in Vegas and wrapping up British Summer Time, all in the same year.

Get your accommodation sorted

The best thing about British Summer Time at Hyde Park? No flyaway tents, grotty showers or hold-your-nose bogs. In fact, the best way to enjoy two weekends of unforgettable music is by staying nearby – in civilisation! Things fill up pretty quickly, so take a look at our lovely studio, one and two bedroom apartments around the capital, not to mention Native Hyde Park – our aparthotel that’s just a stone’s throw from the gigs. Combining the benefits of a home-away-from-home with the convenience of a hotel, we’ll also give you insightful advice into each particular neighbourhood, giving you access to all the hidden gems the city has to offer. Just like a native.

Book your festival flat at Native Hyde Park.

Best classical music events in London

Outstanding Orchestras

No classical aficionado could resist paying a visit to one of the multitude of orchestras that make London their home. The London Philharmonic Orchestra, as heard on Howard Shore’s incredible soundtrack for The Lord of the Rings, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who recorded the score for The Bridge on the River Kwai hold concerts in their home theatres. You’ll also find The London Symphony Orchestra, famous for recording John Williams’ beautiful music for Star Wars, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra at the heart of the BBC Proms. With so many extraordinary ensembles you really are spoilt for choice.

Royal Albert Hall — Image: By Diliff from Wikimedia Commons

The BBC Proms

Undoubtedly, one of the best seasons of classical music events – not just in London but in the whole of the UK – is the BBC Proms. Referred to by Czech composer Ji?í B?lohlávek as “the world’s largest and most democratic music festival”, the eight-week season should be on any classical music lover’s list. Concerts are dedicated to anniversaries of composers from around the world or notable events in history, and this year it’s the 50th anniversary of the moon landings. There are even special concerts like the CBeebies prom for young children, as well as family workshops, talks, readings and forays into jazz in tribute to the likes of Nina Simone and Duke Ellington.

The best and most famous night of the Proms is the final night, held in one of the most imposing classical concert venues in London – the Royal Albert Hall. It usually takes place on the second night in September and, although tickets are like gold dust and very difficult to come by, it’s well broadcasted by the BBC. It features some of the greatest and most recognisable pieces of classical music in the world, followed by a celebration of Britain’s contribution to the genre. It’s a night not to be missed.

In London for a night at the Proms? With 17 locations throughout the city, Native offers the perfect rest between events. Book one of our serviced apartments or short stay apartments in London today.

The history of Native Hyde Park

Your new home-away-from-home, Native Hyde Park, boasts stucco-fronted grandeur; architecture that was originally designed by John Nash, one of the most revered architects of the Georgian era. Another uniquely Georgian feature is the different ceiling heights at Native Hyde Park being higher on the ground floor than the second, with servant rooms residing at the top of the building. Surrounded by mews houses, these quintessentially British buildings were built in the 18th and 19th century, originally to stable horses, with servants’ quarters above.

Best of all, you’re just minutes from the largest and most vibrant park in London. In fact, it’s one of four Royal Parks that form a chain of tranquil green space from the entrance of Kensington Palace, through Kensington Gardens, round Hyde Park Corner and Green Park, and past the entrance to Buckingham Palace.

Hyde Park itself once belonged to Westminster Abbey, until Henry VIII claimed it for himself in 1536 and turned it into his favourite hunting ground. A century later, it was opened to the public and soon became Central London’s most beloved park. Today, it’s a Grade I listed landmark and millions of locals and tourists stroll through its gates every year, seeking a moment of calm beauty amidst the buzz of the city.

Since its public opening, Hyde Park has seen history made many times within its railings. It was a popular spot for duels between the nobility, as well as the awarding of medals of honour, and played host to The Great Exhibition of 1851, which was the very first World’s Fair. It was here that The Crystal Palace was built as the Exhibition’s main showpiece, visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Charles Darwin, Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll and countless other luminaries of the day.

The Great Exhibition, Dickinson Brothers

The park is also famous for being a bastion of free speech and peaceful protest. Since the 19th century, Speaker’s Corner has been open to public speech, debate and discussion and has hosted protests since 1872, from the Suffragettes to the Stop the War Coalition.

Hyde Park will even go down in rock history as the UK’s ultimate outdoor concert venue. The likes of Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Queen have all made their mark here, and millions around the world joined the fun at Live 8 as it was beamed across the globe in 2005.

In the run-up to Christmas, the park transforms into Winter Wonderland – a bustling spectacular of festive celebration, with shows, fairground rides, ice skating, markets and street food. Along with the Oxford Street lights and Trafalgar Square tree, it’s one of London’s most visited Christmas attractions.

Every day, people make their way to Hyde Park to enjoy its myriad year-round attractions, from the Italian Gardens (just a quick stroll from your apartments) to the Serpentine lake and swimming lido, to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and the many statues and sculptures dotted across its acres. Even born and bred Londoners stumble across something new every time they visit, so it’s easy to fall in love with this extraordinary and delightfully original place.

Why not base yourself in Native Hyde Park, the perfect place to explore your surroundings.

Tips for travelling with a toddler in London

Activities

There are plenty of toddler-friendly activities to do in London to keep your tot entertained. Many London attractions let children under the age of 5 in for free and it’s worth doing some research to find ones appealing to you and your family. If museums are right up your street, the Science Museum in Kensington has many toddler-friendly exhibits to challenge and thrill your little ones or, head next door to the Natural History Museum to see the dinosaur bones.

If you’d prefer to be outside, London has several zoos and city farms. Many of the farms are free to enter and offer great opportunities for your child to meet and pet all sorts of animals.

Green Spaces

As well as plenty of activities, it’s important to visit some of London’s green spaces so your toddler can run about and work off some energy. Hyde Park has lots of wide open places to explore and is a convenient distance from Buckingham Palace if a visit there is on your list of things to do.

There are also many garden squares dotted about the city. Formerly private gardens for the residences lining the streets around them, many are now open to the public. They offer a smaller and often quieter alternative to the larger parks. Try Russell Square near the British Museum for a lovely example of London’s garden squares. We do recommend a visit to Hyde Park too.

Bring Snacks

Snacks fix everything.

Even with a list of the best things to do with toddlers in hand, you never know when you are going to be stuck in an unmoving queue or trapped on a delayed train with a fractious tot becoming hungrier by the minute. Make sure you have a selection of healthy and nutritious snacks to keep hunger at bay until you can find a suitable place for lunch.

A Good Place to Stay

It’s tempting to stay in the outskirts and travel into London to see the sights, but travelling with a toddler on public transport which can be stressful for everyone involved, especially if it’s during rush hour.

To minimise time spent travelling, consider an apartment in London itself. We offer short stay apartments in 10 different locations in London. No matter where you wish to visit, our apartments are either next to or offer excellent transport links for you to use. All our apartments come with fully equipped kitchens so you can prepare meals and comfy beds so you can get a good night’s rest before heading out on your next day exploring. For the perfect place for you and your toddler from which to explore London, contact us now for further information on booking one of our apartments.

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