In the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, within walking distance of the tube station, the enchanting Holland Park stands out, an oasis of about two hectares in a green space. Even if it is not on of the wider parks in the city – and neither one of the best known -, it represents a vivid, cozy green lung for the borough. Furthermore, it is equipped with a lot of of services and facilities, ranging from plays for children, to sports areas for tennis, football, cricket, golf, and pathways for jogging. And Holland Park is, not at least, the extremely active base of the Ecology Centre, which organizes various activities and events for people of all ages.
And it is not over.
Actually, the wild flora and fauna harmoniously live together in the rich garden: to give but one example, you think that, on spring, numerous species of birds build their nest here, and thousands of swallows come through here during the migration season.
Holland Park was opened to public, for the first time, in 1952: before then, it was part of Holland House, a stately home built by Sir Walter Cope at early 17th century, which became, in the next century, residence of the heirs Lord e Lady Holland, who named it. From one of the entries of the park, just a little bit inside, among the implacable greenness, the imponent statue of the Lord hovers indeed.
Unfortunately, today we can see only some ruins of that house, as it was bombed during the Second World War: there’s just the east wing still left, which is, nowadays, a youth hostel; and there’s a remaining section of the front terrace, which is now used as the backdrop for the park’s summertime open-air theatre productions and classical concerts.
As proof of the relevance that Holland Park plays, please don’t forget that, in 1992, in order to celebrate the Japan Festival in London, an eminent Japanese designer projected and built the famous Garden of Kyoto, an intimate and little surprise that you can’t forget, and another significant pearl of this remarkable piece of land.