All about Holland Park, West London, Uk

Holland Park has a group of Peacocks living on the grounds as well as Peahens. You will hear there quite distinctive call when you walk through and you may even see them. Having spent their lives in a London park, they are fairly confident around people and will come right up to you.

A Peahen by the way, is the female of the species. They are the same size, but a more drab brown colour.

The breathtaking floral gardens of Holland Park have an array of different plants, and every so often they give away bulbs for those wanting to have such flowers in their own gardens.

Holland Park also has plants with astounding leaf colours. It can be a very colourful and serene place.

Because parts of Holland Park are woodland, there is plenty of wildlife to be found. There are fenced off reservations, where a sharp eye will observe many things. Because I incorporate Holland Park into my daily commute during the summer and spring, I always manage to catch the Bluebells.

If you manage to get to Holland Park between April and May, you will see how much these beautiful flowers come up.

These Japanese themed gardens are a serene place with beautifully landscaped lawns and flora chosen specifically for the location.

There are rockeries with tactfully placed stones. A calm pond with very large carp and a small stone bridge over it. A waterfall with more of a trickle than a roar.

Small sculptures and plaques with Kanji characters are placed around the garden too.

It can be overwhelmed by tourists at times, but at the quiet times it is one of my favourite spots to go and relax at.

Take a close look at the Kyoto Gardens On Google Maps.

• Distance: 0.7 miles


• Sights: Holland Park


• Good For: Relaxation and joining dots.

Holland Walk is a route I incorporated into my daily route when Shepherds Bush was closed.

As you come out from Holland Park Station, cross the road. It can be very busy, so do use this crossing, and watch out for bikes. Turn left here.

Cross over the road named only "Holland Park", and carry on past the houses, and on the right you will see a small bike path, that leads off uphill between the houses.

Follow this path, again past beautiful large houses, and you will see the park on your right. You will pass some of the nature reserve areas of the park, and may here see a squirrel pausing, or even a cat hunting (as I have done). Things are pretty much in character, with even the lamps and signs suited to the place - looking like old gas lamps. You will pass a large school on the left, and you will also pass the Hostel in Holland Park on the Right.

As you walk through, you may hear the call of the Peacocks that reside in the park. Continuing along, it gets greener, and the large green is on right, with another row of grand town houses on the left.

Eventually you will come through the gates onto Kensington High Street, which is fantastic for shopping. You will immediately see a number of well known chains, and interesting small independent shops. The character of this area is superb. If you chose to follow Earls Court Road, you will of course, be able to reach Earls Court in walking distance, but you will again pass plenty of shops full of character on the way, my favourite being an independent garden centre.

This walk is available even after hours when the park is closed, though obviously, if you are walking late, please bear you safety in mind, as even in an affluent area, you still want to play it streetwise.

View this route in more detail on the Google Maps Pedometer.