Following last week’s fun and games with the weather – I was pleased to be able to bung on my London Shoes and get back out on the road in search of more unusual aspects of the ‘smokes’ history.
This week’s adventure took me across to west London to explore a specific district of London that is quite unique in its way, and an area that most certainly has its own little vibe going on – the place in question being “Holland Park” London W11.
The unique thing about Holland Park is that it is not only the name of a ‘place’ – it is also a ‘public park’ and a ‘street’ –all of which is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.
Geographically, it is a district that is situated between the posh and wealthy Kensington to its south – and the more edgy and bohemian Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove to its north – and it is an area that certainly has its own little buzz going on.
Architecturally, Holland Park is well known for its massive magnificent Victorian 4 storey, 5/6/7 bedroomed houses (more like mansions to me) – and loads of different styles and designs of these types of houses are scattered throughout the area.
Residentially, it is a hot-spot for celebrities – the big names from the film, TV and arts worlds, plus wealthy businessmen and many foreign embassies, all own houses there – and so it is no surprise that Holland Park is now one of the most expensive residential districts in London or anywhere in the world, with some large houses listed for sale at well over £10m!!!.
The actual area Holland Park derives its name from ‘Holland House’ which was a large mansion built in 1605, and once owned by Lord Holland. Sadly it was bombed during the WW2 blitz, and now only some ruins of the ground floor still remain.
Many of the original roads/streets still remain and each one is recognisable from the architectural style of its houses.
For example ‘Royal Crescent’ was created in 1839 and is clearly inspired by its well-known namesake in the city of Bath. Today, the crescent is Grade II listed.
Other well-known roads/streets such as Campden Hill Square, Holland Park Road/Mews/Gardens, Philmore Street, Aubery Crescent/Road/Street, Abbotsbury Road & Addison Road etc. – were once mini estates within the main Holland House estate.
Holland Park itself (as a park) in my opinion is a little oasis of tranquility stuck in the middle of a very busy urban area, and is spread across 54 acres of what used to be the grounds of Cope Castle within the Holland House estate.
Today, the park has a café ,the Belvedere Restaurant, a giant chess set structure, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, some unusual but interesting sculptures and two beautiful Japanese gardens – the Kyoto Garden (built in 1991) and Fukushima Memorial Garden (built in 2012), a youth hostel, a children’s playground – along with wildlife such as squirrels and peacocks.
It is the site of many open-air theatre and live musical events throughout the summer months.
Other interesting facts about Holland Park:-
* The deepest point on the ‘Central Line’ tube, is between Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park stations.
* Apparently the first ever dahlias grown in England were planted in the gardens of Holland House by Lady Holland in the early 19th century.
* Holland Park Avenue is one of the city’s oldest roads and was once a notorious haunt of highwaymen.
* Lansdown House – in Lansdown Road, was once a prolific recording studio, where loads of artists ranging from Shirley Bassey, John Lennon, Cliff Richard – right through the musical spectrum to the Sex Pistols – recorded their stuff.
*Posh & Becks have their London home in Holland Park (the road)
* Directly across the street from the Beckham’s lives Simon Cowell
*Elton John has a very small and understated London home, just to the north of Holland Park Avenue
*The author Agatha Christie, once lived in Sheffield Street, just to the east of the Park.
*James Joyce the author – lived in Campden Grove, just east of the Park
*Jimmy Page – the founder and guitarist of the legendary Led Zepplin band – lives in Melbury Road
*Next door to Jimmy Page’s place, lives Robbie Williams – although there is currently a bit of needle between Jimmy Page and Robbie, because of all the renovation work Robbie Williams is having done – and apparently Jimmy is not too happy about his ‘noisy neighbour’.
So – following a really enjoyable few hours trekking all around the Holland Park district, taking in all the interesting unique architecture and specific landmarks – I took myself off to “The Castle” pub on the busy Holland Park Avenue, for the customary ‘cheeky’ beer and a packet of cheese & onion crisps.
The Castle has been a pub since 1827 – and still has its original Victorian tiled frontage, whilst its interior blends period features like traditional wood panelling, etched glass and antique chandeliers.
All in all, Holland Park and its unique style and vibe, is an enjoyable place to while away a few hours. Hope you enjoy the accompanying photos.
Holland Park tube station on the Central Line – Interesting fact for tube geeks, is that the deepest point on the ‘Central Line’ tube, is between Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park stations
Just one of the many entrances to Holland Park (the park)
Royal Crescent – Holland Park – architecturally influenced by the more well known Royal Crescent in the city of Bath
Royal Crescent – Holland Park
Me – in Royal Crescent – Holland Park
Royal Crescent – Holland Park
Norland Square – in the north of the Holland Park district
Holland Park Mews
David & Victoria Beckham’s family home – 23 Holland Park (the road)
Me – outside the Beckham’s house – 23 Holland Park (the road)
Television celebrity Simon Cowell’s house – 10 Holland Park (the road)
Me – down Holland Park (the road)
Lansdown House – in Lansdown Road. Now renovated into individual residential apartments – but this building was once a prolific recording studio – where many artists cut their stuff – with music genre’s as diverse as Acker Bilk to the Sex Pistols
The home of Jimmy Page (the founder and lead guitarist of the legendary Led Zepplin band) – 29 Melbury Road, Holland Park
Robbie William’s home, right next door to Jimmy Page’s place. Apparently the noise and disturbance from the constant building works, has caused a bit of needle between the 2 homeowners
Me – outside Jimmy Page’s home in Melbury Road
Entrance to Holland Park Mews
Holland Park Mews
Holland Park Mews
Me – down in Holland Park Mews
The once home of Sir Henry Debenham (the founder of the Debenhams retail empire – at 8 Adison Road, Holland Park
Author, Dame Agatha Christie’s home – at 58 Sheffield Terrace
The blue plaque on display on the exterior wall o0f Agatha Christie’s house in Sheffield Terrace
The blue plaque on display on the one home of author James Joyce – 28 Campden Grove, Holland Park
The blue plaque on display at the Sheffield Road home of Sir Edward Henry – who pioneered the finger-printing technique
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area – showing the famous “Windsor Castle” pub
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
One of Elton John’s London homes – 4 Queensdale Place, in the north of the Holland Park district
Me – loitering outside Elton’s gaff
The main entrance to Holland Park – (the actual park itself)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Statue of Lord Holland inside Holland Park (the park!!) – He owned the estate that the park and the land that now contains most of the surrounding streets
Holland Park (the area) is so posh that even the dogs have their own khazi in the park
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Me – inside Holland Park (the park)
Me – inside Holland Park (the park)
Sculpture – inside Holland Park (the park)
Sculpture – inside Holland Park (the park)
Resident peacock – inside Holland Park (the park)
Another resident peacock – inside Holland Park (the park)
“The Castle” pub situated on Holland Park Avenue – the exterior still displays the original Victorian tiling
Me – outside The Castle pub – Holland Park
Me – necking down a ‘cheeky’ beer – inside The Castle pub – Holland Park
Me – necking down another ‘cheeky’ beer – inside The Castle pub – Holland Park
Loved this one
Gгeetings! – I found this post to be very interesting and helpful. Thɑnks for sharing
Oh Thank you so much ,me and my 5 siblings were born and raised in Holland Park at 16 Princes Place. This place holds the most amazing childhood memories for me. My mother also was raised here before we were all born. I still don’t know where our surname originally came from, I cannot find any trace – it was SHOCKLEDGE.
Thank you so much for these memories – I love Holland Park with all my heart. X
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to provide me with your feedback on my Holland Park blog – really kind of you, as it is always a pleasure to hear from followers of my work – it makes it all worthwhile. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the article on Holland Park and that it brought back some happy memories for you.
Much enjoyed your presentation of Holland Park. Was hoping there might be a reference to Lionel and Jean of “As time goes by”. I realize their” address” in The Park is fictional but have always wondered if the series was partly filmed on location there. Any thoughts?
Sincerely, Michael
Hi Michael,
Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to contact me -really appreciate it – and I’m so pleased that you enjoyed this particular blog on my London Shoes website – it’s so reassuring to receive feedback from a reader, it makes my little London Shoes hobby all worthwhile.
Turning to the questions you raise, then I have done a bit of research on the ‘As Time Goes By’ tv series, which confirms that the 2 main houses used for filming were located in “St. James’s Garden” (Lionel & Jean’s home) and “Addison Avenue” – both of which are situated in the Holland Park/Notting Hill districts of London. All ‘outside’ filming was done in Hertfirdshire & Berkshire.
I never really followed the series myself, so didn’t cover these 2 houses off in the photos that accompanied my blog – but I’m often down in that area of London doing other blogs, and so next time I’m there I will seek these 2 properties out, photograph them, and then add them to my original blog, as I’m sure there will be readers like yourself, who would be interested.
Once again, thank you for your feedback – very gratefully received.
Cheers……GEOFF (London Shoes)
Hi Geoff,
Re: Holland Park
Many thanks for your prompt reply. Interesting that you had not followed Lionel & Jean but have done some follow up research.Await learning the results of your further enquiries if you have the time. Episodes of “As time goes by” are available on YouTube if you wish to pursue. I can thoroughly recommend this series. It brings to mind a much simpler society without the incessant need to be informed. Of course memory fades and the “Good old days” were ever thus, despite the facts. Should mention I am a pre-war (WW2) anachronism.
Cheers, Michael
Hi Michael – always happy to follow-up on topics that any readers of my work have kindly taken the time to contact me about – it’s my pleasure.
As a person approaching his mid-60’s in age, I know exactly what you mean about the ‘Good old Days’ – I know it’s common practice to see past years through rose-tinted glasses, but I personally believe they really were the good old days – certainly for me anyway.
My very best to you Michael.
Cheers……GEOFF (London Shoes)