| ranked #3 out of 10 attractions | rated 2.33 out of 5 | total 199 votes |
Speaker’s Corner
Why Speaker’s Corner is one of the worst London tourist attractions
It is said that Speaker’s Corner in London’s Hyde Park symbolizes democracy in the world. It’s been in existence since 1872, and everyone who wants to speak there can do so – even those with absolutely no talent for public speaking.
Be aware, however, that this spectacle only takes place on Sundays. During the week, you will probably find one or two speakers at this tourist attraction and they seem to have mental problems. In a way, all speakers (even those on Sundays) seem to be mentally ill, but reportedly most of them are not.
You will, of course, be subjected to the extremist religious and political dogma that places like this seem to attract. It’s a lot of shouting and screaming and for a while it’s mildly amusing, but after a time it gets pretty boring. You won’t be missing much if you don’t see the so-called “grassroots democracy” that is London’s Speaker’s Corner.
Address
Hyde Park – Oxford Street,
Nearest Tube Station – Marble Arch (Central Line),
London, W22UH
Opening times/Cost
Every Sunday morning.
No entrance fee.
Related links
Read the history of Speaker’s Corner
Read more about Speaker’s Corner
January 25, 2005 @ 5:56 am
Peter said,
I was there on Sunday morning, but there were just a few speakers and most of them were fanatic Christians. It was absolutly not like I had expected. I thought there would be lively discussions about all sorts of subjects, but not extremistic blabla. I was very disappointed!
January 25, 2005 @ 8:40 pm
Louise said,
I was very disappointed of Speakers Corner. I got up early on Sunday morning and there were only 3 speakers. And as you said I really doubted their mental sanity!
February 23, 2005 @ 9:15 am
Jenny Windham said,
Speakers corner is not so bad as it is in a beautiful park. If you are there just sit and have lunch and enjoy the scenery while you are listening.
February 26, 2005 @ 10:50 am
Alix said,
I saw a fellow dressed up as the devil who claimed Jesus had come to him in a vision and played with his private parts. He was drinking a full litre of Guinness at the time. Yes, there were religious zealots, but overall an entertaining lot in the pouring rain in March 2004.
August 8, 2005 @ 8:19 am
Oli said,
I thoroughly disagree. It’s not only about the content of the discussions (and there are some incredibly educated speakers there if you care to look), but what it represents. I heard a girl say the other week “in my country, all these people would be dead”. Says it all really.
Visit between 1pm and 5pm on a Sunday, especially when the weather’s good.
August 22, 2005 @ 5:15 am
Dan said,
Well said Oli. Its just a shame there aren’t any well educated speakers that run this site. Clearly they are a bunch of boring ginger tossers.
October 19, 2006 @ 4:10 pm
bill keitel said,
Speakers Corner was an absolute blast! Folks that show up early Sunday morning just don’t know any better. Sunday AFTERNOON is the time to be there. The rants and raves of the religious zealots are just part of the landscape.
Anybody that has rated this attraction as unappealing doesn’t understand what Speakers Corner is all about. I rebuke your rating system.
bk
July 7, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
JT from Norway said,
When I were at Speakers corner, although on a Monday morning, it wasn’t even one single person standing there… I would expected speakers on the Speakers corner
July 19, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
David said,
I completely agree with Bill and Oli. I have also been to Speakers Corner a few times both Sunday morning and afternoon. In the morning sessions you can find a few speakers but in the afternoon there were about 20 speakers with a crowd of 400 or so listening, debating, arguing. My friends visiting from Germany were really amazed and had never seen such such a display, of course you will also get eccentric people standing up and talking – but it is a part of what England is famous for.
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October 3, 2009 @ 3:52 am
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April 2, 2010 @ 5:15 am
Esmé said,
I LOVE this place! Infact, I just love London! Ive learnt so much in my time here! But now Im going back to France, I will miss it sooo much
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August 28, 2011 @ 10:09 am
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September 23, 2011 @ 12:28 am
Kristin said,
The problem is that it’s being called a “tourist attraction”. That misses the whole point.
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