Park of the week

198. Holland Park

Holland Park is in Kensington and is the largest park in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is within the Holland Park Conservation Area and is an Area of Metropolitan Importance.

It’s spread across 54 acres of what used to be the grounds of Cope Castle, a large Jacobean mansion hidden in the woods. Sir Walter Cope built it in the early 17th century. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer under King James I. It was renamed Holland House after the Earl of Holland’s wife Lady Rich inherited the property.

The house was badly damaged during World War II. One wing was saved and is used as a youth hostel. A section of the front terrace was saved. This is used for the park's summertime open-air theatre productions and classical concerts, such as those staged by Opera Holland Park,  a summer opera company which produces an annual season of performances.

The park includes the most extensive woodland in much of central and west London. Although of planted origin and dominated by non-native trees, the woodland supports an unusual variety of wildlife. Breeding birds include tawny owls, coal tits and bullfinches, while resident mammals include bank voles, rabbits and hedgehogs. 

The northern half of the park consists of semi-wild woodland with a central section of formal gardens, while the southern section is mainly used for sports: there are netball, cricket and football pitches, tennis courts, cricket and golf practice nets and an outdoor gym. 

The central area has an ecology centre, outdoor gym, two playgrounds, toilets, a café and two Japanese gardens. The first is the Kyoto Garden, created to celebrate the Japan Festival in London in 1992. It has peacocks, Japanese maple trees, tiered waterfalls and a lake with enormous koi carp. 

The second is the nearby Fukushima Japanese Garden, a quiet space for contemplation, built to remember those affected by the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

There are several sculptures in the park, but I found this the most eye catching.

It’s by Andrew Burton, made of various metals, placed in the park in 2000. It’s called ‘Annunciation’, but I named it ‘Tekiah gedola on wheels’. 

Judith Field

Holland Park Ilchester Place, London W8 6LU