There are places that feel like a whole world of their own. Tucked in West London, between Notting Hill and South Kensington, Holland Park is one of those spots that Londoners genuinely love: less crowded than Hyde Park, more elegant than most, and endlessly surprising!
It's completely free to enter. It's stunningly beautiful. And it has far more to offer than you might expect!
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON is taking you on a stroll through one of London's most underrated green spaces.
Holland Park, London: a brief history
Holland Park sits in the heart of West London, just a short walk from High Street Kensington tube station, and yet the moment you step inside, the city noise fades away completely!
It all began in 1605, when Sir Walter Cope built a Jacobean mansion on open countryside west of London. Later becoming Holland House, it grew into a glamorous social hub that welcomed guests like Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, and Sir Walter Scott.
Then came the Blitz. In 1940, German bombs devastated Holland House, leaving it in ruins. The grounds were later acquired by the London County Council and opened to the public in 1952 for the first time.
What could have been a loss became something extraordinary. The ruins were preserved, the gardens reimagined, and Holland Park was born!
Now, here are the 10 things you absolutely must see when you visit.
1. The Kyoto Garden: the most beautiful Japanese garden in London
If there is one reason people make a special trip to Holland Park, this is it.
The Kyoto Garden is one of London’s most beautiful and unexpected spaces. Gifted to the city by Kyoto in 1991 as a symbol of friendship between Britain and Japan, it feels worlds away from West London.
You will spot a waterfall cascades into a koi pond, fish glide beneath a wooden bridge, and stone lanterns and maple trees frame every peaceful view.
In autumn, the maples turn fiery red and orange, making it one of London’s most striking seasonal walks. In spring, cherry blossoms drift over the water; in summer it becomes a cool, shaded escape; and in winter, a calm, meditative retreat.
Keep an eye out for the resident peacocks too, who often roam as if they own the place. Seeing one display its feathers by the koi pond is a true “only in London” moment.
2. The Fukushima Memorial Garden: London's most moving Japanese garden
Just next to the Kyoto Garden, the smaller Fukushima Memorial Garden is a spot that deserves far more attention than it usually gets.
Gifted to Britain by Japan in 2012, in gratitude for British support following the devastating 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, it is a quiet, intimate space with its own small waterfall, gentle walking paths and traditional Japanese plantings.
3. The Dutch Garden in Spring: the best place to see tulips in London
If you are visiting Holland Park between April and May, do not miss the Dutch Garden. This is, quite simply, one of the most joyful places in London in spring!
The walled garden really comes alive with tulips in every shade filling the beds around a central fountain, all framed by warm red brick arcade walls.
Later in the season, dahlias take over and keep things going into summer with a totally different feel, but spring is definitely when it’s at its best.
Grab a coffee from nearby, sit on a bench, and just take it all in, it’s one of those simple London moments that just works!
4. Opera Holland Park: London's most magical open-air theatre
Every summer, a canopy rises in front of the Holland House ruins, turning the park into one of London’s most atmospheric stages. Since 1996, Opera Holland Park has presented world-class productions here, from Madame Butterfly to Les Misérables, with the Jacobean ruins as a dramatic backdrop.
If you're in London between June and August, this is absolutely worth planning your visit around.
5. The ruins of Holland House: one of London's most atmospheric historical landmarks
At the heart of Holland Park you’ll find the remains of a 17th-century Jacobean mansion that started it all. The bombed east wing and elegant arches of Holland House still stand above the gardens, a striking reminder of London’s long history.
The ruins are free to explore and look great all year round, especially in soft summer light or on a crisp winter morning.
6. Woodland walks in Holland Park: the best nature escape in West London
The northern part of Holland Park is mostly semi-wild woodland, and it’s one of the park’s most underrated areas.
Wide paths wind through mature trees and hidden sculptures, including a statue of Lord Holland by George Frederic Watts, with a surprisingly wild feel for central London.
It’s great all year round: bluebells in spring, cool shade in summer, golden leaves in autumn, and a quiet, atmospheric feel in winter. A proper breath of fresh air in the city!
7. Peacocks, squirrels and the giant chess set: the fun side of Holland Park
Holland Park also has a fun, relaxed side that’s a big reason locals love it.
The peacocks are the real stars. Roaming freely since the 1950s, they wander through the gardens and woodland like they own the place, completely unfazed by all the cameras.
Squirrels are everywhere too (and very confident), so don’t be surprised if one comes over to say hello if you’ve got food.
There’s also a giant outdoor chess set, a great playground with a zip wire and climbing frames, plus tennis courts, a cricket pitch and an outdoor gym. Basically, something for every age and mood.
8. The Iris Garden: Holland Park's most underrated formal garden
Tucked within the formal garden area, the Iris Garden is a quietly enchanting spot that many visitors walk straight past. Don't be one of them.
At its centre is a sculptural fountain by William Pye, unveiled in 1999. The garden is framed by a 1890s brick arcade, with painted murals showing the grand parties and social life that once made Holland House the talk of London.
This is a peaceful, pretty, and a wonderful place to sit for a few minutes.
9. The Orangery: Holland Park's most elegant surviving historic building
One of the very few features of Holland House to survive the wartime bombs, the Orangery is a graceful, light-filled building at the western edge of the formal gardens.
Today it serves as an events venue, but it’s still worth a stop. The surrounding rose garden is beautifully fragrant in summer, and the view back toward the Holland House ruins from the old arcade is one of the park’s highlights.
10. The Belvedere Restaurant: the most romantic place to eat in Holland Park
Set in a former 17th-century coach house turned 19th-century ballroom, the Belvedere Restaurant is one of Holland Park’s hidden gems.
With its Italian-inspired menu and elegant dining room, plus a terrace overlooking the gardens, it’s a beautiful spot for lunch or dinner.
Steeped in history and even better in the sun, it’s especially popular on warm days.
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to Holland Park, I'd love to hear about your experience on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
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Everything you need to know about Holland Park, London
Address: Ilchester Place, London W8 6LU
Entry: Free
Opening hours: Daily from 7:30am until 30 minutes after sunset
Nearest Tube: Holland Park (Central line) or High Street Kensington (District & Circle lines)
Website: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – Holland Park
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