On a sunny Sunday I was meant to be doing life admin, but I couldn’t resist the pull of the blue sky outside. I wanted to visit somewhere I could pretend I wasn’t in the city, and remembered Kasha’s mention of the beautiful Kyoto Gardens tucked into Holland Park.
In leafy West London, between Kensington and Notting Hill, mansions and mews abound. I wandered slowly down the wide streets, picking which would be mine should I stumble upon a (large) winning lottery ticket!
This area of West London was rural until the 19th century, and much of what is now the park was formerly the grounds of the Jacobean Holland House which was largely destroyed in World War II. It’s a lovely mix of quiet woodlands and more formal gardens, and also has playgrounds, tennis courts, an ecology centre and an open-air theatre!
Just me and the birdsong
The patch of Japan that I’d come to find is located in the lower half of the park, near the centre. With few signs I simply wandered in what I thought was vaguely the right direction, until bamboo hooped fencing told me I was in the right place.
Despite the fair amount of people who’d had the same idea, the Garden was still tranquil and soothing. I could have sat for hours watching the koi sway through the shallow pond, or the spray fly from the waterfall. It was truly relaxing!
Of course the local residents are incredibly well-dressed
The Garden was opened in 1991, a donation from the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce to mark the long friendship between Great Britain and Japan. A more recent addition is the Fukushima memorial garden which opened in 2012 to remember the victims of the nuclear tragedy.
On my way out I wandered past these beautiful fountains and rose gardens, again full of people out appreciating the sunshine. The gorgeous scent of the roses filled the air and as I walked slowly back to the tube I tried to take that little sense of peace with me. It’s amazing what a restorative effect a bit of time away from the hustle of London can have, and Holland Park is the perfect place to experience it!
Have you visited Holland Park? Where’s your favourite green escape?
