Serpentine

The Serpentine is a curving recreational lake in Hyde Park, London. It was created in 1730 at Queen Caroline’s request and divides naturally into two parts: the eastern half called the Serpentine and the western half named the Long Water. Serpentine Bridge marks the boundary between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The lake’s shape follows the land’s contours, with a single bend giving it its name. It once relied on the River Westbourne and Tyburn Brook but now draws water from three boreholes within the park. The Serpentine has played a key role in major events. It provided the setting for the Great Exhibition of 1851, and in 2012 it hosted the Olympic triathlon and marathon swimming. The Serpentine Swimming Club has organised a Christmas Day race since 1864, and in 1913 J. M. Barrie inaugurated the Peter Pan Cup for that event. The lake also features a restored ornamental waterfall at the Dell, designed in the 1870s by Lord Redesdale. Visitors find two lakeside restaurants and various recreational facilities along the shore. Boating is available on the water, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain lies nearby. The lake’s maximum depth is five metres, and its water quality was improved in 2012 with new boreholes and aeration pumps. The restoration project reduced water turnover from ten years to just four or five months, ensuring the lake remains fresh and lively throughout the year.