<P> Rotten Row is a broad track running for 1,384 metres ( 4,541 ft ) along the south side of Hyde Park in London . It leads from Hyde Park Corner to Serpentine Road . During the 18th and 19th centuries , Rotten Row was a fashionable place for upper - class Londoners to be seen horse riding . Today it is maintained as a place to ride horses in the centre of London , but it is little used . Rotten Row was established by William III at the end of the 17th century . Having moved court to Kensington Palace , William wanted a safer way to travel to St. James 's Palace . He created the broad avenue through Hyde Park , lit with 300 oil lamps in 1690 -- the first artificially lit highway in Britain . The lighting was a precaution against highwaymen , who lurked in Hyde Park at the time . The track was called Route du Roi , French for King 's Road , which was eventually corrupted into `` Rotten Row '' . </P>
<P> Rotten Row is a broad track running for 1,384 metres ( 4,541 ft ) along the south side of Hyde Park in London . It leads from Hyde Park Corner to Serpentine Road . During the 18th and 19th centuries , Rotten Row was a fashionable place for upper - class Londoners to be seen horse riding . Today it is maintained as a place to ride horses in the centre of London , but it is little used . Rotten Row was established by William III at the end of the 17th century . Having moved court to Kensington Palace , William wanted a safer way to travel to St. James 's Palace . He created the broad avenue through Hyde Park , lit with 300 oil lamps in 1690 -- the first artificially lit highway in Britain . The lighting was a precaution against highwaymen , who lurked in Hyde Park at the time . The track was called Route du Roi , French for King 's Road , which was eventually corrupted into `` Rotten Row '' . </P>
avenue of hyde park uks first artificially lit highway
avenue of hyde park uks first artificially lit highway
Rotten Row
Rotten Row