Speakers Corner

Since the mid 19th Century, Speakers Corner has been a place where people have gathered to voice their opinions, take part in lively discussions, verbally fight for their human rights and beliefs and uphold their democratic right to free speech.

A Speakers' Corner is an area where open air public speaking, debate and discussion are allowed. The original and most noted is in the north-east corner of Hyde Park in London, England. Speakers there may speak on any subject, as long as the police consider their speeches lawful, although this right is not restricted to Speakers' Corner only – the same right to free speech applies everywhere else in the UK. Contrary to popular belief, there is no immunity from the law, nor are any subjects proscribed, but in practice the police tend to be tolerant and therefore only intervene when they receive a complaint or if they hear profanity.

www.wikipedia.org

Hyde Park is one of London's finest landscapes and covers over 350 acres.

Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536; he and his court were often to be seen on thundering steeds in the hunt for deer. It remained a private hunting ground until James I came to the throne and permitted limited access. The King appointed a ranger, or keeper, to take charge of the park. It was Charles I who changed the nature of the park completely. He had the Ring (north of the present Serpentine boathouses) created and in 1637 opened the park to the general public.