Holland Park

The Basics

Tranquil and leafy, Holland Park is an excellent place to take a breather from the thronged streets of central London. Stroll through the calming Japanese garden, picnic on the lawns, people-watch from the on-site café, view the east wing of Holland House (the rest of which was destroyed during World War II bombings), and visit the Holland Park Ecology Centre, which host talks, guided walks, and workshops from a facility on the west side of the park. The park is a stop on some hop-on hop-off bus tours of London.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Holland Park is a lovely spot for families—adults can loll while children let off some steam.

• Wear comfortable footwear, and bring sunblock and water in summer.

• Pack a picnic or enjoy a drink and snack at the park’s café. A fine-dining restaurant is also located within the park.

• Holland Park is accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

Holland Park is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London. The nearest Tube station is Holland Park (Central line), while the Kensington Olympia train station—served by Overground and Southern Railway—is fewer than 10 minutes from the park on foot. London’s Design Museum abuts the park to the south.

When to Get There

Holland Park is open daily from early morning to sunset. The park is busiest on sunny Saturday and Sunday afternoons, though even then it rarely feels crowded. The best time to visit is during summer, when open-air opera performances are staged in the park.

Opera Holland Park

Every summer, Holland Park is the setting for a series of outdoor opera productions. During the season, up to 1,000 audience members take their seats under a temporary canopy in the park to watch both famous and lesser-known works being performed in an open-air setting. You must purchase tickets in advance; spaces for wheelchair patrons are available.

Ways to explore

Tranquil and leafy, Holland Park is a popular spot for photo shoots and an occasional stop on rock music tours of London, as Freddie Mercury lived in the area and spent time in the park. It’s also an excellent place to take a breather from the thronged streets of central London.

Stroll through the calming Japanese garden, picnic on the lawns, people-watch from the on-site café, view the east wing of Holland House, catch open-air opera in summer, or visit the Holland Park Ecology Centre, which hosts talks, guided walks, and workshops.

Accessibility

Holland Park has wheelchair-accessible entrances, flat paths, and adapted bathrooms.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunscreen, water bottle, picnic in summer

What to wear

Layers, comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Barbecues are a no-no, while professional photographers need permission to shoot here.

Amenities

Café, restrooms, playgrounds, outdoor gym

Address

Holland Park lies between Holland Park Avenue and Kensington High Street, about 3.5 miles (5.5. kilometers) west of Trafalgar Square. The Design Museum is at the Kensington High Street end of the park.

Driving

While Holland Park has some paid parking and is outside the Congestion Charge zone, London is not a car-friendly city. Make like a local and walk, book a rideshare, hop on a city bike, or use public transportation.

Public transportation

Depending on which side of the park you are looking to reach, you can access it from Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle, and District lines), Holland Park (Central line), High Street Kensington (Circle and District lines), or Kensington Olympia (District and Mildmay overground line).

Best times to visit

The park is open daily from 7:30am until sunset. It’s a great spot for a picnic lunch between sightseeing in the warmer months.

Best days to visit

Plan your visit for midweek during the spring and summer, as the park can get busy on sunny Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Best months to visit

Summer in the park is magical with open-air opera performances, concerts, and plays, and the landscapes are in full bloom.

Special events

Opera Holland Park hosts its annual season between late May and late August.