Holland Park

Holland Park has a rich and vibrant history, as well as diverse horticulture, activities and open-air theatre.
Don’t miss out on the events and educational workshops held throughout the year for schools. There’s a wildlife club and a variety of holiday activities, making it the perfect family day out.
It boasts 22.5 hectares of gardens, including the Kyoto Garden, the Japanese garden, children’s play facilities, sports areas, an on-site café and areas of woodland overflowing with biodiversity and wildlife.
You can put this greenery and healthy air to good use and exercise or play sports in the park in the abundance of courts and practice fields.
Definitely not to be missed is the playground for families, which has climbing equipment, a giant seesaw and tyre swing, and even a zip wire.

Spanning 54 acres in total, Holland Park was previously the grounds of Cope Castle, a large Jacobean mansion hidden in the woods. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Walter Cope. Renamed Holland House, much of the area was damaged in WWII, and partly used as a youth hostel.

These days though, you don’t want to miss out on the array of events held here and the dahlias that still grow within the park's 54 acres. The Japanese-style Kyoto Gardens is definitely worth a few visits, with its koi carp and bridge at the foot of a glorious waterfall. It’s a perfectly serene hideaway and a great spot for snapping a few family photos.

Holland Park is fantastic for activities and exercise, too. You are able to book to play netball, tennis, football and there are nets for golf and cricket practice available. The 11-a-side football pitch located on the south side of the park is available for hire, along with the other sports facilities including tennis courts, an outdoor gym and golf club. Health walks regularly take place too, so keep an eye out.

The playground is exceptionally fun, and was designed to provide a high-quality play experience to fit with the woodland surroundings. There’s a zip wire, a seesaw and a dragon swinger all available. The pathways in the playground are buggy and wheelchair accessible, too. With climbing frames, a climbing wall, swings, and an enclosed play sandpit area for younger kids, there’s something for everyone. There are playing fields and woodland areas to get imaginative and run around in.

If you're on the hunt for a culture hit, check out the Opera Holland Park, a covered open-air venue that hosts relaxed outdoor performances. Even though you're in the heart of London, as you sit under the marquee and listen to talented performers, surrounded by beauty and nature, you'll feel like you've been transported to another world. This is the perfect way to experience opera in London in a whole new way, providing you with a relaxed family day out with a twist.

Take a nosey at the Orangery, Holland Park, a stunning glass and stone palace that was once used for majestic summer balls. Now the Orangery is open as a gallery and available for event hire; perfect for weddings and other celebrations. If nothing else it's another brilliant spot for photos.

If you've still got some energy after exploring the park, get involved in some retail therapy; there's a number of popular shopping districts in the area surrounding Holland Park. This includes Kensington High Street, Notting Hill, Portobello Market, Westbourne Grove, Shepherd’s Bush and more, offering chain shops, higher-end department stores and independent boutiques.

London's known for its incredible green spaces, so if you can't get enough of the outdoors, check out what Hyde Park and Green Park have to offer, too.

What to know before you go

Holland Park opening times are from 7.30am, closing 30 minutes before dusk. This applies to the facilities at the park too, including the toilets, which open from 8am.
There are toilets in the playground, including a baby-changing unit and an accessible toilet. There are also toilets near the toddlers’ playground. The toilets at Holland Park have wheelchair and buggy access. Top tip: the Holland Park toilets located near the restaurant have a three-story deck where you can admire a gorgeous view. There's a walkway, so you can enjoy a little bit of nature while you wander.
Feeling peckish? The Holland Park Cafe has a patio, and serves espresso drinks, pastries and seasonal cafe classics, perfect for a relaxed break. Another on-site eatery is the Belvedere, which is a modern European dining experience in a 17th-century summer ballroom at the centre of Holland Park.
There are plenty of nice pubs, cafes and restaurants in the area, including The Mitre, Holland Park, a red-brick pub with a beautiful outside terrace for brasserie-style dining and delicious Sunday roasts.

Getting there

The closest Tube station is Holland Park (Central line). It’s also near Notting Hill and Shepherd’s Bush on the Central line, Kensington High Street on the Circle and District lines and Kensington Olympia, which offers mainline and Overground services, all a short walk away.
Bus routes to Holland park include routes 31, 94, 148, 228 and N207.
There are parking spots in the park itself that typically don't get too busy. There are also places to park nearby on Kensington High Street Car Park .