Along with the smaller St. James's and Green parks to the east, Hyde Park started as Henry VIII's hunting grounds. He more or less stole the land for his own personal pleasure from the monks at Westminster in the 1536 Dissolution of the Monasteries. James I was more generous and allowed the public in at the beginning of the 17th century, as long as they were "respectably dressed." Nowadays, as you can see if you're here in summer, you may wear whatever you like -- a bathing suit will do, particularly if you want to swim at the Lido. Along its south side runs Rotten Row. It was Henry VIII's royal path to the hunt -- hence the name, a corruption of route du roi. It's still used by the Household Cavalry, who live at the Knightsbridge Barracks -- a high-rise and a long, low, ugly red block -- to the left. This is the brigade that mounts the guard at Buckingham Palace, and you can see them leave to perform this duty in full regalia, plumed helmet and all, at around 10:30, or await the return of the ex-guard about noon. On the south side of the Serpentine, by the Lido, is the site of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Of oval stone with both calm and turbulent cascading water features, it has been designed by Kathryn Gustafason to reflect the moods of a modern princess. Its proposed completion is summer 2004. Sunday's Speakers' Corner in the park near Marble Arch is an unmissable spectacle of vehement, sometimes comical, and always entertaining orators. From June to August, Hyde Park is the venue for the Royal Parks Summer Festival with live jazz evenings, opera, and plays all over the park. Daily 5 AM-midnight. Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, or Knightsbridge.