Hyde Park · London W2 · Summer weekends
BST Hyde Park transfers, into a park no vehicle can enter
British Summer Time is the most comfortable festival we serve: no camping, no mud, deckchairs and a curfew before eleven. It also takes place inside a Royal Park, which means no vehicle gets anywhere near the stage and the walk out is longer than anyone expects.
Hyde Park has several entrances spread around a very large perimeter, and which one you use determines which side of central London you end up on. Agreeing it in advance saves a twenty-minute walk around the outside.
Which side of the park you leave from decides your journey home
The park perimeter is over four miles. Coming out of the wrong side puts you a long way from where the vehicle is.
Knightsbridge and Kensington side
Best for anyone heading back towards Kent via the south of the river. Our usual choice for this route.
Hyde Park Corner and Park Lane
Central, busy, and heavily restricted for stopping. Good for hotels, poor for waiting.
Bayswater Road and Marble Arch
Wide roads and reasonable access, though further from the Kent-bound routes.
Kensington Gardens side
Quietest exit and the longest walk. Suits groups who would rather walk than wait.
Central London from Kent
Hyde Park sits in the middle of the West End, so the journey is straightforward and the traffic is the variable. Evening and late-night returns are quicker than the outbound by a wide margin.
| Pick-up area | Distance | Afternoon out | Late return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 28 miles | 65–100 min | 50–65 min |
| Dartford & Bluewater | 23 miles | 60–90 min | 45–60 min |
| Bexleyheath & Welling | 15 miles | 50–80 min | 35–50 min |
| Bromley & Orpington | 15 miles | 50–80 min | 35–50 min |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 28 miles | 60–90 min | 45–60 min |
| Rochester, Chatham & Gillingham | 37 miles | 75–105 min | 60–75 min |
| Maidstone & Aylesford | 39 miles | 75–105 min | 60–80 min |
| Canterbury & Ashford | 63 miles | 100–135 min | 85–100 min |
Who comes to BST
The crowd here is different from any other festival on our list, and it changes what people want from the transport.
| Group | What they want | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Families with children | Set-down close to a gate, an early exit option | MPV or 8-seater |
| Older audiences | Short walk, a comfortable ride, no queueing | Saloon or MPV |
| Friend groups | Cheap per head and a fixed return | Minibus |
| Corporate hospitality | Collection from offices, invoiced on account | 8-seater upwards |
| People staying in London hotels | A short hop rather than a Kent run | Saloon |
What makes Hyde Park different
No vehicles inside, at all
Royal Parks rules mean there is no drop-off inside the park and no exceptions on event days. Every arrival and departure begins and ends on the surrounding streets, which are among the busiest and most heavily restricted in London. Knowing where a vehicle can legally stop around that perimeter is most of the service.
The curfew is early and strict
Music stops before eleven, which is earlier than most festivals and considerably earlier than an arena show. That is good news for the journey home, because you are travelling before the small hours and the roads are still moving.
Deckchairs, picnics and what you can bring
BST allows more than most festivals in terms of comfort, and people bring it. If your group is taking chairs, blankets and a picnic, mention it, because it changes the vehicle even though the event itself is a day trip.
It suits an older or mixed group
A large share of our BST bookings involve people who would not consider a camping festival: families, parents with teenagers, and groups in their fifties and sixties. The short walk and the door-to-door return are the entire appeal, and it is worth choosing the gate accordingly.
BST Hyde Park travel questions
Gates, curfew and where cars can stop.
Can you drop us inside Hyde Park?
No, and nobody can. Royal Parks rules prohibit vehicle access inside the park on event days. We set down on the surrounding streets as close to your gate as the restrictions allow, and the walk in is from there.
Which gate should we use?
It depends where you are heading afterwards. For a Kent-bound journey the southern side towards Knightsbridge usually works best. We agree the gate with you before the day so the walk out is short rather than around the perimeter.
What time does BST finish?
Before eleven, and it is enforced. That is earlier than most festivals, which makes the journey home easier because you are travelling before the roads and the network get difficult.
Can we bring picnic chairs and blankets?
Check the current event conditions, and tell us if you are bringing them, because it affects which vehicle we send even for a day trip.
How long does it take from Kent?
An hour to an hour and three quarters in the afternoon depending on where you start, and noticeably quicker on the return.
Do the congestion charge and emissions zone apply?
Hyde Park sits inside both. We confirm which charges apply to your route and date and whether they are inside your quote before you book.
Is it suitable for older passengers or children?
It is one of the more manageable events we cover, provided the gate is chosen well. Tell us about any mobility needs at booking and we will set down as close as we are permitted.
Can you invoice a company for hospitality guests?
Yes, on account with monthly invoicing and a VAT receipt, with collections from several addresses on the way in.
Other London events and guides
Central London, covered from Kent.