Adventure #3, continued

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At the southeast corner of Hyde Park (Hyde Park Corner tube), you will find Queen Elizabeth Gate.  This is the most modern of the gates, dedicated by the late Her Majesty the Queen Mother Elizabeth. 

Walking along the south side of the park, you will notice a dirt track which parallels the walking path.  This is Rotten Row, where riders can exercise their horses.  The stables are further west towards the center of the south side of the park.  It is along Rotten Row that the funeral procession for Diana, Princess of Wales progressed from Kensington Palace to Hyde Park Corner.

Walking further west from the stables area, you will come to the Albert Memorial.  This faces the Royal Albert Hall.  Erected to the memory of Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert, it is a monument to all that Albert tried to emphasize in the United Kingdom of his day.  It praises in stone the advances in science, technology and industry.  It depicts (through the outer four corner statues) the wide range of British influence.  These four outer statues represent Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.  During World War I, it was thought that the gleaming Memorial would give a landmark to enemy planes and dirigibles.  It was painted black to avoid the possibility of aiding the enemy.  From then until late 1999, it remained black or in the process of restoration.   Now restored to its original beauty, the Albert Memorial is positively brilliant.

Continue on for the west side of this combined park...

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