THE VENUE

About Holland Park

Holland Park is the Royal Borough’s largest park. It has the following facilities:

22.5 hectares of gardens

children’s play facilities

sports areas

a cafeteria

large areas of woodland abundant with wildlife

Please note dogs are not permitted inside the garden.

Holland Park also has the beautiful Kyoto Garden. This is the Japanese garden donated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991.

Holland Park is also the base of the borough’s Ecology Service. The Ecology Centre at Holland Park runs a series of events, activities and educational visits for schools. We also run a wildlife club for children, holiday activities, and a full programme of events for all ages.

The History of Holland Park

Holland Park is spread across 54 acres of what used to be the grounds of Cope Castle, a large Jacobean mansion hidden in the woods. Sir Walter Cope built it in the early 17th century. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer under King James 1.

It was renamed Holland House after the Earl of Holland’s wife Lady Rich inherited the property.

Holland House was badly damaged during World War II. One wing was saved and is used as a youth hostel. A section of the front terrace was saved. This is used for the park’s summertime open-air theatre productions 

and classical concerts.

Kyoto Garden was designed and built by an eminent Japanese Garden designer and his team. It was created to celebrate the Japan Festival in London in 1992. This was a co-operative project between the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce in Japan. 

Accessibility

The following are all level access to the park that are best suited for disabled people:

North Abbotsbury Road entrance

Ilchester Place entrance

Duchess of Bedford entrance

High street Kensington entrance

Please note the entrance on Holland park Road and Abbotsbury Road South entrance is on a steep incline and may not be suitable for disabled people.

Disabled parking is available at the car park located just off Abbotsbury Road. This entrance is not suitable for disabled people without a vehicle as it is on a steep incline.

Disabled toilets are available and are located near the cafe close to the Ilchester Place entrance as well as within the adventure playground near the ecology centre.