Welcome to BST Hyde Park – or British Summer Time Hyde Park, if you’re feeling fancy. It’s London’s loudest, lushest, and most poshly porta-loo’d music experience. Forget tents and trench foot – this is festival chic in the heart of the city. 🌳🎶
🎤 What Is BST Hyde Park?
BST isn’t your standard mud-splattered field rave. It’s a multi-day concert series held in London’s Hyde Park, where each day is curated around one mega headliner with a stellar supporting cast. You buy a ticket just for the day you want – it’s all killer, no filler. 👊
Since launching in 2013, BST has hosted actual music royalty, including:
- The Rolling Stones 👅
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band 🇺🇸
- Elton John 🎹
- Taylor Swift 💃
- Adele 😭
- Guns N’ Roses 🌹
- Neil Young (until the plug was pulled… #CurfewGate) 😬
📍 Where Is It?
BST takes place slap-bang in Hyde Park, Central London – basically your nan’s idea of a posh picnic meets your teenage dream of a stadium gig.
🚇 Nearest Tube Stations:
- Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
- Marble Arch (Central Line)
- Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria)
The park has multiple entrances, so check your ticket zone before hopping on the Tube. You’ll do a bit of walking – Hyde Park is massive, butt!
🎟️ How Much Do Tickets Cost?
It depends how close you want to be and how fancy you’re feeling. Here’s the breakdown:
💸 General Admission:
- £80–£100: Entry to the festival, standard standing access
💥 Premium & VIP Options:
- Primary Entry (early access): ~£100–£125
- Gold Circle (closer to the stage): ~£180–£250
- VIP Garden (lounges, nicer loos): ~£250–£350
- Diamond VIP Experience (front view, private bar): ~£400–£500
- ALL VIP Terrace (raised platform, food/drink access): £600+
🍾 Ultimate Luxury – HydeAway:
- Think boutique bars, private toilets, comfy seating, and sometimes… butlers. Expect £800–£1,200 a head for full-on baller treatment.
🍔 FOOD & DRINK PRICES
Here’s the real rockstar budget buster – the BST munch and booze menu. It’s boujee, tasty, and yes, a bit brutal on your bank card.
🥤 DRINKS:
Beers:
- Regular pints: £6.95–£7.95
- Craft options: £8.50+
- 2-pint cup: £13.50–£15
Cider:
- £7.50–£8.75 depending on flavour
Cocktails:
- Pre-mixed cans: £8.50–£9.50
- Frozen cocktails: £10+
Wine:
- Glass: £7.50–£9.50
- Bottle: £30–£36
Soft Drinks:
- Coke / Sprite: £3.50
- Water: £2.50–£3.00
- Free water refill stations: YES! 💧
🍟 FOOD:
Burgers & Chips:
- Cheeseburger: £9.50–£12
- Loaded burgers: £13–£14
- Chips: £4–£6
- Loaded fries: £6.50–£8.50
Pizza:
- Margherita: £9
- Toppings: £10.50–£12
- Garlic bread: £5.50
Wraps / Tacos:
- Chicken or falafel wraps: £9–£11
- 3x tacos: £10–£12
- Nachos: £7.50–£9
Other Options:
- Mac & cheese pots: £7.50–£10
- Hot dogs: £6.50–£8.50
- Fish & chips: £12.50
- Bao buns (2): £8–£10
- Sushi trays (VIP area): £12–£14
Desserts:
- Churros w/ chocolate: £6
- Ice cream tubs/cones: £4–£5.50
- Brownies / waffles: £5.50–£7
🧀 HydeAway / VIP Area Exclusives:
- Artisan charcuterie boxes: £14+
- Craft toasties: £9.50
- Espresso martinis: £9
- Champagne bottles: From £65 🍾
- Boujee gelato: £6.50
🤘 Final Festival Tips
- Download the BST app – has maps, set times, food vendors, and toilet locations. Yes, even VIP ones.
- Bring a refillable bottle – water is free if you’re smart.
- Get there early for your fave food vendor – queues are real by 7pm.
- Wear comfy shoes – Hyde Park is BIG and BST is a standing event unless you’re VIP.
- Curfew is 10:30pm SHARP – Neil Young got unplugged mid-song. Don’t expect an encore past 10:29pm. 😬
🎸 Quickfire Summary
| ❓ What is it? | London’s top-tier outdoor concert series |
|---|---|
| 📍 Where? | Hyde Park, Central London |
| 💷 Ticket Cost? | £80–£100 GA, up to £1000+ for VIP |
| 🗓️ When? | Late June – Mid-July |
| 🍔 Food/Drink? | Premium street food & bar prices (£7–£15 avg) |
| 🚽 Toilets? | Better than Glasto, VIP gets you luxury loos |
| 🎪 Camping? | Nope – it’s a day event, go home after |
🕶️ Final Thoughts
BST Hyde Park is a classy riot – think of it as a rock gig in your best shoes with prosecco instead of plastic cider. It’s pricey, yes. But the vibes? Lush, mun.
Got questions about this year’s lineup, travel tips, or which VIP upgrade is actually worth it? Slide into the comments or shout at us on social – The Riff Report’s got your back! 🤘😎
