Speakers' Corner, London

Name: Speakers' Corner
Address: What3words: Jacket.year.remind, London, N7 8EL, United Kingdom
Telephone: 0447722523629

#157 among attractions in London

Park, Relax in park

Gallery (12)

Map

Gallery

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Facts and practical information

Speakers' Corner is a unique tourist attraction nestled in the northeastern corner of London's Hyde Park. Renowned as the bastion of free speech and open-air public speaking, this historic site is where anyone can turn up unannounced to discuss, debate, and provide soapbox oratory on any subject, as long as the police consider their speeches lawful.

Dating back to the mid-19th century, Speakers' Corner has a storied past, with roots deeply embedded in the rights to free assembly and free speech. The location gained official recognition in 1872 when an act of Parliament set aside this section of Hyde Park for public speaking. Since then, it has been a traditional site for protests and the airing of opinions.

On a typical Sunday morning, which is the most popular time for the speakers, the Corner buzzes with activity as speakers climb atop their soapboxes. Topics range from political and religious to the downright eccentric, and the atmosphere is often charged with the energy of passionate discourse. The tradition of public debate and discussion has been kept alive by generations of Londoners and visitors from all over the world.

Visitors to Speakers' Corner can expect an eclectic experience, where they are free to listen, participate, or even challenge the speakers. It's a place where opinions and arguments are exchanged freely, and the air is filled with the spirit of democracy and freedom of expression.

For tourists interested in history, politics, or simply experiencing a unique slice of London culture, Speakers' Corner is a must-visit. It is accessible every day, but to witness the spectacle in full swing, it's best to visit on a Sunday morning. There is no entry fee, and it's a short walk from the Marble Arch Tube station, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the city.

Alternative names: Elevation: 102 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 51°30'42"N, 0°9'36"W

Address

What3words: Jacket.year.remindCity of Westminster (Knightsbridge and Belgravia)London N7 8EL United Kingdom

Contact

0447722523629

Website

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London

Day trips

Speakers' Corner – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Hyde Park, Wallace Collection, The Serpentine, South Molton Street.

0.4 miSW
Acres of greenery in Central London
Hyde Park, London
10 min walk • Hyde Park, a verdant oasis in the heart of London, is one of the city's eight Royal Parks and a classic example of urban green space at its finest. Encompassing 350 acres, it offers both locals and tourists a tranquil retreat from the bustling city life.
0.5 miNE
Artworks and armour in grand townhouse
Wallace Collection, London
13 min walk • Nestled in the heart of London's Marylebone, the Wallace Collection is a national museum that houses an exquisite collection of fine and decorative arts from the 15th to 19th centuries. This treasure trove of artistic mastery is displayed in Hertford House, a historic...
0.5 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
The Serpentine, London
14 min walk • Nestled in the heart of London's Hyde Park, The Serpentine is a tranquil oasis offering a respite from the bustling city life. This historic lake, renowned for its recreational facilities and picturesque setting, has been a staple of London's green spaces since the...
0.5 miE
Shopping, Shopping district
South Molton Street, London
14 min walk • South Molton Street is a street in Mayfair, London, that runs from Oxford Street to Brook Street. Bond Street Underground station is at the north end of the street. The street was built in the mid-18th century as part of the Conduit Mead Estate. It was extensively rebuilt around 1900, but many of the original Georgian houses remain.
~1930 ftNE
Shopping, Department store, Beaux-Arts architecture
Selfridges, London
10 min walk • Selfridges is a Grade II* listed retail premises on Oxford Street in London. It was designed by Daniel Burnham for Harry Gordon Selfridge, and opened in 1909. Still the headquarters of Selfridge & Co. department stores, with 540,000 square feet of selling space, the store is the...
~570 ftNE
19th-century triumphal arch by John Nash
Marble Arch, London
3 min walk • Marble Arch is an iconic landmark situated at the junction of Oxford Street, Park Lane, and Edgware Road in the bustling city of London, United Kingdom. This 19th-century white marble-faced triumphal arch was designed by John Nash in 1827 to be the state entrance...
0.5 miNE
Shopping, Shopping centre, Neighbourhood
St Christopher's Place, London
13 min walk • St. Christopher's Place is a short pedestrianised shopping street in Marylebone, central London between Oxford Street and Wigmore Street. Its retail units are smaller and higher-end than the major chains located on Oxford Street, similar to nearby South Molton Street.
~620 ftSE
Vernacular architecture, Monuments and statues
Animals in War Memorial, London
3 min walk • The Animals in War Memorial is a war memorial, in Hyde Park, London, commemorating the countless animals that have served and died under British military command throughout history.
0.4 miE
Church, Romanesque architecture
Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile, London
11 min walk • The Cathedral of the Holy Family, previously Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile, is the cathedral of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London.
0.5 miW
Cemetery
Hyde Park pet cemetery, London
14 min walk • The Hyde Park pet cemetery is a disused burial ground for animals in Hyde Park, London. It was established in 1880 or 1881 in the garden of Victoria Lodge, home of one of the park keepers.
0.5 miS
Vernacular architecture, Memorial
Hyde Park Holocaust Memorial, London
14 min walk • The Holocaust Memorial in Hyde Park, London, was the first public memorial in Great Britain dedicated to victims of the Holocaust. It lies to the east of the Serpentine Lake, in The Dell, an open-air area within the park. Since its unveiling in 1983 remembrance services have taken place at the memorial every year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Speakers' Corner open?

Speakers' Corner is open:

Monday closed
Tuesday closed
Wednesday closed
Thursday closed
Friday closed
Saturday closed
Sunday 12 pm - 7:30 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Speakers' Corner?

Nearby attractions include Western Marble Arch Synagogue, London (3 min walk), Marble Arch, London (3 min walk), Animals in War Memorial, London (3 min walk), West London Synagogue, London (7 min walk).

How to get to Speakers' Corner by public transport?

The nearest stations to Speakers' Corner:

Bus

Marble Arch • Lines: 400, 426, 905, A6 (3 min walk)
Portman Street / Marble Arch Station • Lines: 30 (7 min walk)

Metro

Marble Arch • Lines: Central (4 min walk)
Bond Street • Lines: Central, Jubilee (13 min walk)

Train

London Paddington (22 min walk)
London Marylebone (23 min walk)